35 Heb “By David, when he changed his sense before Abimelech and he drove him away and he went.” Pretended to be insane. The psalm heading appears to refer to the account in 1 Sam 21:10–15 which tells how David, fearful that King Achish of Gath might kill him, pretended to be insane in hopes that the king would simply send him away. The psalm heading names the king Abimelech, not Achish, suggesting that the tradition is confused on this point. However, perhaps “Abimelech” was a royal title, rather than a proper name. See P. C. Craigie, Psalms 1–50 (), .

In other versions

Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

Concerning David, when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech, who drove him out, and he departed.

A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.

Of David, when he pretended to be crazy in front of Abimelech

so that he drove him out, and so he departed.

A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.

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