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.
God's promises and His providences often seem to pull in opposite directions, yet this trial of faith is itself how He accomplishes His counsel. David, anointed king, now wanders homeless among Philistines; Israel's darling rejected by his own king, yet sheltered by his nation's enemy. Strange mercy comes often from unexpected hands.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Samuel 21:10-15
And he changed his behaviour before them,.... Behaved like a fool, or a madman: or changed his "taste" (s); which some understand of his reason, acted as if he was deprived of it; and others of his speech, his words and the accent of them, drawled them out, as such persons do: and feigned himself mad in their hands; for in their hands he was...
feigned himself mad--It is supposed to have been an attack of epilepsy, real or perhaps only pretended. This disease is relieved by foaming at the mouth. let his spittle fall down upon his beard--No wonder that Achish supposed him insane, as such an indignity, whether done by another, or one's self, to the beard, is considered in the East an intolerable insult. Next: 1 Samuel Chapter 22