The answer is: He pretended to be insane

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

In this colorful episode from David's life, we see a moment of pure survival instinct. After narrowly escaping King Saul's wrath, David finds himself in enemy territory—Gath, which is Philistine ground. Just picture it: here’s David, the heroic slayer of Goliath, now reduced to pretending he’s harmlessly vague. His antics, from scratching at doors to drooling, are more about saving his skin than showing his strong warrior persona. This wasn’t just any Philistine city; it was Goliath's hometown! It's almost ironic, isn't it?

This storytelling also highlights a Biblical theme: the struggle between appearances and reality. David's insanity act can be seen as a brilliant tactic to dissuade any hostile intent towards him. King Achish is probably unlikely to keep a crazed man around as a threat or prisoner. It's an early glimpse into the idea that sometimes we all might need to appear "mad" in life to navigate our own stakes, all while underestimating our situations.

Moreover, it's fascinating how the author of 1 Samuel captures David's desperation with such vivid imagery. David’s facial ticks symbolize a recurring Biblical truth: even the most faithful servants of God can face overwhelming challenges and sometimes must navigate those challenges with unexpected tactics. Who knows, David was probably unconsciously demonstrating the art of downward mobility long before it became a modern term! It evokes thoughts about how wisdom and strategy can come in all shapes—including drool!