DailyBible

1 Samuel 21:13 Β· KJV

"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."

King James Version

What does 1 Samuel 21:13 mean? β†’

Passage Context

11And 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?
12And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
13And 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.
14Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
15Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

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Reflection Questions

1

How do you handle desperate situations?

2

What lengths would you go to for your safety?

3

When have you had to act in an unexpected way to protect yourself?

Life Application

faith

Trust in God during times of crisis, knowing He can provide a way out.

relationships

Be aware of how your actions can impact those around you, even in difficult times.

People in This Verse

AchishOT

King of Gath who interacts with David during his flight from Saul. He is depicted as skeptical of David's behavior.

First appearance: 1 Samuel 21:10

DavidBoth

The second king of Israel, known for his leadership, poetry, and a heart for God. He is a central figure in both Jewish and Christian traditions.

First appearance: 1 Samuel 16:1

Places in This Verse

Gath

Gath was one of the five major cities of the Philistines. It was known for its formidable warriors and served as a refuge for David during his flight from Saul.

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