1 Samuel 21:10-15

New English Translation

¹⁰ So on that day David arose and fled from Saul. He went to King Achish of Gath. ¹¹ The servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one that they sing about when they dance, saying,

¹² David thought about what they said^[a] and was very afraid of King Achish of Gath. ¹³ He altered his behavior in their presence.^[b] Since he was in their power,^[c] he pretended to be insane, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting his saliva run down his beard.

¹⁴ Achish said to his servants, “Look at this madman! Why did you bring him to me? ¹⁵ Do I have a shortage of fools so that you have brought me this man to display his insanity in front of me? Should this man enter my house?”