And he changed his behaviour before them— There are some writers who suppose that David's was a real disorder; and that, from the consternation and sorrow he was in, he was seized with epileptic fits: an opinion, to which the version of the LXX seems to give some countenance; for in the 14th verse it renders the words of Achish thus: Behold you have brought an epileptick to me:—Do I want epilepticks? &c. But it seems best to understand the passage according to the common interpretation: nor does there appear any thing, in this view of David's conduct, blame-able or wrong. He had only in view self-preservation, and no design of injuring others; and the two psalms which he is thought to have composed upon this event shew, that he was by no means wanting in due reliance upon God. No one thinks of blaming Solon or Brutus for a similar conduct. Ortlob, in the first volume of the dissertations at the end of the Critici Sacri, has treated largely De Delirio Davidis coram Achis. Dr. Delaney upon this subject well observes, that it plainly appears from the 56th Psalm, that the courtiers of Gath were bent upon David's destruction, and daily caballed against him: they soon perceived him to be a great genius; a character not always loved and honoured as it ought, even in a friend, but always dreaded, if not hated, in an enemy; and they resolved his ruin. To be sure of effecting it, they misconstrued and gave wrong turns to every thing he said or did: Every day (says he) they wrest my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil: they gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they lay wait for my soul. Psalms 56:5-6. What should he do? He had dealt with them in the integrity and simplicity of his heart; but his honesty was interpreted into guile. To labour to set himself right with them, were vain; for they designedly misinterpreted every thing: and to enter into any debate with them upon it, would be but to discover his distrust, and ensure his destruction. He was undone as a wise man; but had a chance to escape as a madman: he tried, and the experiment succeeded.
Mad in their hands— In their presence. Nold. 917.