Biblical Verses Biblical Verses & Resources

Book of 1 Samuel - Chapter 21 - Verse 13

21:13
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.

Meaning

In this verse from the book of 1 Samuel, we see King David pretending to be insane in front of his enemies in order to escape harm. This deception was a clever tactic employed by David to protect himself from the Philistine king, Achish. By acting as if he had lost his mind, David was able to avoid being captured or harmed by his enemies. This verse showcases David's resourcefulness and quick thinking in a perilous situation.

By pretending to be mad, David was able to create a diversion and buy himself time to escape from the dangerous situation he found himself in. This incident highlights David's shrewdness and ability to adapt to challenging circumstances. It also serves as a reminder of the lengths to which individuals may go in order to protect themselves and ensure their survival.

Overall, this verse demonstrates the importance of thinking on one's feet and using whatever means necessary to stay safe in times of danger. It also illustrates the ingenuity and courage of King David, who was willing to go to great lengths to protect himself and preserve his own life. This episode serves as a valuable lesson in resourcefulness and quick decision-making in moments of crisis.

Theological Overview

The verse from 1 Samuel 21:13 describes an intriguing incident involving David, who resorts to an unusual strategy in a moment of crisis. In this passage, David pretends to be mad in front of a group of people as a means of escaping a dangerous situation. This behavior raises questions about the lengths to which David was willing to go to ensure his safety and the complexity of his character. The word "feigned" signifies that David's actions were not genuine but rather a clever facade he put on to deceive others. This verse illustrates the creative and resourceful ways in which individuals in the Bible navigated challenging circumstances. Additionally, the act of "scrabbling on the doors of the gate" and letting his spittle fall on his beard paints a vivid picture of David's desperate and erratic behavior, highlighting the lengths he was willing to go to in order to avoid harm. This passage serves as a reminder of the diverse and sometimes unexpected ways in which God's chosen people respond to adversity in the face of danger.

American Standard Version

And he changed his behavior 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.
Previous VerseNext Verse