King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 21:13 Mean?

1 Samuel 21:13 in the King James Version says “And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. scrabbled: or, made marks”

1 Samuel 21:13 · KJV

Context

11

And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

12

And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.

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. scrabbled: or, made marks

14

Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? is mad: or, playeth the mad man

15

Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

Read 1 Samuel 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has God delivered you through unconventional or humiliating means?
  2. What does David's willingness to appear foolish teach about pride and survival?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיְשַׁנּ֤וֹ1 of 14

“And he changed”

H8138

to fold, i.e., duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)

אֶת2 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

טַעְמוֹ֙3 of 14

“his behaviour”

H2940

properly, a taste, i.e., (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate

בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם4 of 14

“before”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיִּתְהֹלֵ֖ל5 of 14

“them and feigned himself mad”

H1984

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

בְּיָדָ֑ם6 of 14

“in their hands”

H3027

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

וַיְתָו֙7 of 14

“and scrabbled”

H8427

to mark out, i.e., (primitive) scratch or (definite) imprint

עַל8 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דַּלְת֣וֹת9 of 14

“on the doors”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

הַשַּׁ֔עַר10 of 14

“of the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וַיּ֥וֹרֶד11 of 14

“fall down”

H3381

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

רִיר֖וֹ12 of 14

“and let his spittle”

H7388

saliva; by resemblance, broth

אֶל13 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זְקָנֽוֹ׃14 of 14

“upon his beard”

H2206

the beard (as indicating age)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 21:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 21:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 29:25Ecclesiastes 7:7Psalms 34:1-22

Test Your Knowledge

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