1 Samuel 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְשַׁנּ֤וֹ
And he changed
H8138
וַיְשַׁנּ֤וֹ
And he changed
Strong's:
H8138
Word #:
1 of 14
to fold, i.e., duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
טַעְמוֹ֙
his behaviour
H2940
טַעְמוֹ֙
his behaviour
Strong's:
H2940
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, a taste, i.e., (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate
בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
before
H5869
בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
before
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
4 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וַיִּתְהֹלֵ֖ל
them and feigned himself mad
H1984
וַיִּתְהֹלֵ֖ל
them and feigned himself mad
Strong's:
H1984
Word #:
5 of 14
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
בְּיָדָ֑ם
in their hands
H3027
בְּיָדָ֑ם
in their hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
6 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיְתָו֙
and scrabbled
H8427
וַיְתָו֙
and scrabbled
Strong's:
H8427
Word #:
7 of 14
to mark out, i.e., (primitive) scratch or (definite) imprint
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דַּלְת֣וֹת
on the doors
H1817
דַּלְת֣וֹת
on the doors
Strong's:
H1817
Word #:
9 of 14
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
וַיּ֥וֹרֶד
fall down
H3381
וַיּ֥וֹרֶד
fall down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
11 of 14
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
Historical Context
Mental illness in the ancient Near East was often attributed to divine or demonic influence. Killing such persons was considered dangerous, as it might provoke supernatural retaliation. This cultural belief provided protection David shrewdly exploited.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God delivered you through unconventional or humiliating means?
- What does David's willingness to appear foolish teach about pride and survival?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
David's feigned madness represents desperate improvisation. The Hebrew 'vayishanneh et-ta'amo' literally means 'he disguised his judgment/discernment'—ironic since this very act displayed remarkable discernment. The behaviors described—scratching (Hebrew 'vayitav') on doors and drooling—mimicked symptoms ancient peoples associated with divine possession or madness. Such individuals were typically considered untouchable, protected by taboo. David's willingness to humiliate himself for survival shows both his desperation and his practical wisdom. This episode reveals that God's servants may employ unconventional means for self-preservation, though Scripture neither explicitly endorses nor condemns David's stratagem.