1 Samuel 21:10-15

21:10 So on that day David arose and fled from Saul. He went to King Achish of Gath. 21:11 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,

‘Saul struck down his thousands,

But David his tens of thousands’?”

21:12 David thought about what they said and was very afraid of King Achish of Gath. 21:13 He altered his behavior in their presence. Since he was in their power, he pretended to be insane, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting his saliva run down his beard.

21:14 Achish said to his servants, “Look at this madman! Why did you bring him to me? 21:15 Do I have a shortage of fools, that you have brought me this man to display his insanity in front of me? Should this man enter my house?”

Psalms 34:1

Psalm 34

Written by David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, causing the king to send him away.

34:1 I will praise the Lord at all times;

my mouth will continually praise him.

Psalms 57:1

Psalm 57

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; a prayer of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave.

57:1 Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me!

For in you I have taken shelter.

In the shadow of your wings I take shelter

until trouble passes.