1 Samuel 21:13

(21:14) And he disguised his reason before their eyes, and played the madman in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle run down upon his beard.

Leeser Tanakh

In The King James Version

And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.

In Context

12(21:13) And David took these words to his heart, and was greatly afraid of Achish the king of Gath.

14(21:15) Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see, the man is mad: wherefore then will ye bring him to me?

Read all of 1 Samuel 21

Cross References

1 Samuel 17:11When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were disheartened, and became greatly afraid.

Proverbs 29:25The dread of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord will be upheld in safety.

Isaiah 51:12I, I am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a mortal that must die, and of a son of man who will wither as the grass?

Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 21:11-15

David Driven from Achish. ( b. c. 1057.) 10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? 12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 Samuel 21:13