Arriving in Gath, it appeared as if David was immediately recognized.1 On account of his various exploits, the men of Philistia had recognized him as a prominent leader/chieftain.2 Though they did not officially recognize him as king of Israel, they did recognize that he was someone that had all the marks of a king and was on his way to become one.3 They confronted him with his destiny.4 This acknowledgement of David as a king is ironic and underlines the fact that the divine plan was inviolably bound up with David.5
11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”