David Among the Philistines

¹⁰ David quickly fled from Saul that day and went to Achish king of Gath. ¹¹ The officials of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Didn’t they dance and sing songs about him, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”

¹² David took those words to heart, so he was very afraid of Achish king of Gath. ¹³ He changed his behavior in their presence and pretended to be insane while he was in their hands. He scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spit run down his beard. ¹⁴ Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, can’t you see that the man is insane? Why have you brought him to me? ¹⁵ Don’t I have enough madmen? Did you have to bring this madman into my presence? Should I keep this man in my house?”