שמואל א, פרק י״ט, פסוק ט״ז

The arrival of the messengers revealed a carefully staged deception. Expecting to capture David, the men instead discovered that household idols had been left in his place.

The primary approach among commentators emphasizes the exact physical placement of these objects. Rather than being merely placed in the room, the idols were positioned directly upon the bed itself, physically taking the place of the man the messengers were sent to find.