Malingering
David was a long way from home, and a long way from safe. Fleeing Saul, he reached Achish, king of Gath, and someone recognized him. His answer was to act: “he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad.” He scratched on the gate and let spit run into his beard. Achish was unimpressed and asked, “Have I need of mad men?” The scheme worked, and David left. The passage simply tells what he did, without praising it or condemning it. Read 1 Samuel 21 to see how fear drove him, and Psalm 34, whose heading ties it to this moment.
3 verses
1 Samuel
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.
Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
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?