[3][4] This chapter contains the account of David's escape from Saul's repeated attempts to kill him.

[8] Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls including 4Q51 (4QSama; 100–50 BCE) with extant verses 1–2, 8–12.

[9][10][11][12] Extant ancient manuscripts of a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint (originally was made in the last few centuries BCE) include Codex Vaticanus (B;

[15] When the first time David was in Gath, he had to feign insanity to escape (1 Samuel 21:10–15), but this time, with 600 loyal soldiers and the report of his fallout with Saul, David was well received as a group of mercenaries for the Philistines, a common practice in the ancient Near East as documented in various sources.

By conquering these prospective enemies and collecting booty, David actually was making preparations for his kingship.