1 Samuel 21:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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 (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →To escape, David pretends to be insane, clawing at the gate and letting spittle run down his beard.
What Does 1 Samuel 21:13 Mean?
Cornered, David resorts to a desperate ruse, acting the madman before the Philistines, scratching at the gate and drooling into his beard. In the ancient world the deranged were often feared and left alone, and David gambles his life on this disguise.
The chosen king of Israel is reduced to feigning madness at an enemy's gate, a startling picture of how low God's servant has fallen. Yet God works even through such undignified means to preserve His anointed. Tradition links this very escape to David's psalms of deliverance, where he blesses the Lord who hears the cry of the lowly and saves them out of all their troubles.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 21:13
What does 1 Samuel 21:13 mean?
To escape, David pretends to be insane, clawing at the gate and letting spittle run down his beard.