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1
A Desperate, Feigned Act
Commentators agree that David's madness was a deliberate act to save his life, not a real affliction. He mimicked the signs of insanity, such as scratching on gates and drooling, likely learned from observing King Saul. Scholars like John Gill defend this as a legitimate stratagem against an enemy, not a sinful deception.
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1 Samuel
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Commentaries
4
Albert Barnes
On 1 Samuel 21:13
18th Century
Theologian
Scrabbled - Literally, made marks (margin), namely, the mark of the “tau” (t), which in the ancient Hebrew and Phoenician was in the shape o…
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Samuel 21:13
19th Century
Bishop
He changed his behaviour. —These very words (with the substitution of Abimelech for Achish, a name which, as has been sug…
John Gill
On 1 Samuel 21:13
17th Century
Pastor
And he changed his behaviour before them
Behaved like a fool, or a madman: or changed his "taste" F19 ; w…
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Matthew Henry
On 1 Samuel 21:10–15
17th Century
Minister
God's persecuted people have often found better treatment from Philistines than from Israelites. David had reason to put confidence in Achish, yet …