1 Samuel 21:10-15

Christian Standard Bible

David Flees to Gath

¹⁰ David fled that day from Saul’s presence and went to King Achish of Gath.^{(A) 11} But Achish’s servants said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Don’t they sing about him during their dances:

¹² David took this to heart and became very afraid of King Achish of Gath, ¹³ so he pretended to be insane in their presence.^(C) He acted like a madman around them,^[a] scribbling^[b] on the doors of the city gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

¹⁴ “Look! You can see the man is crazy,” Achish said to his servants. “Why did you bring him to me? ¹⁵ Do I have such a shortage of crazy people that you brought this one to act crazy around me? Is this one going to come into my house?” ^(D)