1 Samuel 21:15
◄  1 Samuel 21:15  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?"

New Living Translation (©2007)
We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?"

English Standard Version (©2001)
Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman in my presence? Shall this one come into my house?"

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Do I have such a shortage of crazy people that you brought this one to act crazy around me? Is this one going to come into my house?"

International Standard Version (©2012)
Am I lacking madmen that you bring me this one to act like a madman around me? Shall this one come into my house?"

NET Bible (©2006)
Do I have a shortage of fools, that you have brought me this man to display his insanity in front of me? Should this man enter my house?"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Do I have such a shortage of lunatics that you bring this man so that he can show me he is insane? Does this man have to come into my house?"

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Have I need of mad men, that you have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

American King James Version
Have I need of mad men, that you have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

American Standard Version
Do I lack madmen, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

Douay-Rheims Bible
Have we need of madmen, that you have brought in this fellow, to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

Darby Bible Translation
have I lack of madmen, that ye have brought this one to rave in my presence? shall this man come into my house?

English Revised Version
Do I lack mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

Webster's Bible Translation
Have I need of mad-men, that ye have brought this man to play the mad-man in my presence? shall this man come into my house?

World English Bible
Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?"

Young's Literal Translation
A lack of madmen have I, that ye have brought in this one to act as a madman by me! doth this one come in unto my house?'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:10-15 God's persecuted people have often found better usage from Philistines than from Israelites. David had reason to put confidence in Achish, yet he began to be afraid. His conduct was degrading, and discovered wavering in his faith and courage. The more simply we depend on God, and obey him, the more comfortably and surely we shall walk through this troublesome world.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Have I need of madmen?.... Or fools, do I want them? have not I enough of them already at my court? I want wise men, and not fools and madmen. The Jews say (w) that the wife and daughter of Achish were mad; that while David was playing the fool and madman without, they were acting the same part within; so that Achish had enough of that sort of diversion, if it was to be reckoned such; as it was according to the taste of some persons, who used, as in later so in earlier times, to keep fools in their houses to make them sport; but Achish had enough of that, and too much, at least needed no more:

that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? or act the part of a fool before me:

shall this fellow come into mine house? court or palace, and have a post there; you need be in no pain about it; he is neither agreeable to me, nor fit for any; and therefore Achish drove him away as a fool or madman, instead of imprisoning him as an enemy, or taking away his life; see the title of the thirty fourth psalm, Psalm 34:1.

(w) Midrash Tillim apud Abarbinel. in loc.

1 Samuel 21:15 Parallel Commentaries

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David Flees to Gath
…13And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down on his beard. 14Then said Achish to his servants, See, you see the man is mad: why then have you brought him to me? 15Have I need of mad men, that you have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

1 Samuel 21:14 Achish said to his servants, "Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me?
1 Samuel 22:1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there.