The answer is: He pretended to be insane

1 Samuel 21:13 - He scratched the doors of the gate and dribbled down his beard

When David visited King Achish in Gath, he was indeed in quite the hairy situation—quite literally! Running from the wrath of King Saul, David found refuge in the territory of the Philistines, known enemies of Israel. Instead of approaching Achish bravely, he opted for a wild act of deception.

Now, let's paint this picture in our minds; David, the young shepherd who once had the majestic honor of slaying Goliath, is now pretending to be anything but! He feigned madness, probably hoping that by appearing insane, King Achish would see him as no threat and send him away. It’s a fascinating twist in David's story and speaks to his ingenuity. Some scholars believe that David might have drawn from a tradition of using madness to escape peril; ancient cultures sometimes viewed insanity as linked to divine favor or protection.

Isn’t it interesting how this episode showcases a very human moment? Even heroes have their moments of fear and vulnerability. Additionally, this story echoes the sentiment from various parts of the Bible, especially in the writings of the psalmists, where trouble encounters moments of distress, leading to unexpected solutions. Future readers are reminded that sometimes, in trying times, resourcefulness can lead to safety, albeit through rather unconventional means!