Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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 We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?” English Standard Version 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?” Berean Standard Bible Am I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?” Berean Literal Bible Am I lacking madmen, that you⁺ have brought this one to play the madman in my presence? Shall this one come into my house?” King James Bible 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? New King James Version Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?” New American Standard Bible Do I lack insane people, that you have brought this one to behave like an insane person in my presence? Shall this one come into my house?” NASB 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?” NASB 1977 “Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman in my presence? Shall this one come into my house?” Legacy Standard Bible Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman before me? Shall this one come into my house?” Amplified Bible Do I lack madmen, that you bring this one to behave like a madman in my presence? Shall this one come into my house?” Berean Annotated Bible Am I in need of madmen, that you⁺ have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house? Christian Standard Bible 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? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible 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?” 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? Contemporary English Version I have enough crazy people without your bringing another one here. Keep him away from my palace!" 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? GOD'S WORD® Translation 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?" Good News Translation Don't I have enough madmen already? Why bring another one to bother me with his crazy actions right here in my own house?" International Standard Version 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 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?" New Heart 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?" 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? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAm I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must 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? Should this fellow come into my house?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAm I lacking madmen, that you have brought in this one to act as a madman before me? Does this one come into my house?” Berean Literal Bible Am I lacking madmen, that you⁺ have brought this one to play the madman in my presence? Shall this one 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?' Smith's Literal Translation Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHave 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? Catholic Public Domain Version Or do we have need of those who are mad, so that you would bring in this one, to behave madly in my presence? How did this man get into my house?” New American Bible Do I not have enough madmen, that you bring this one to rant in my presence? Should this fellow come into my house?” New Revised Standard Version Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleDo I lack good manners, that you have brought this fellow who misbehaves in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Akish said to his Servants: “Behold, you have seen that the man is mad! Why have you brought him to me?” [16] Am I lacking sense that you have brought this man who is insane to me? Shall this man enter my house?!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Do I lack madmen, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?' Brenton Septuagint Translation Am I in want of madmen, that ye have brought him in to me to play the madman? He shall not come into the house. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Flees to Gath…14Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me? 15Am I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?” Cross References Am I in need of madmen, 2 Kings 9:11 When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied. John 10:20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?” Acts 26:24 At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!” that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? 1 Samuel 18:10-11 The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, / and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 1 Samuel 19:23-24 So Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. But the Spirit of God came upon even Saul, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth in Ramah. / Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel. And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night. That is why it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1 Kings 18:26-29 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. … Must this man come into my house?” 2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. Psalm 101:7 No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who tells lies shall stand in my presence. Psalm 15:1 A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? Psalm 34:1-22 Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. / My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice. / Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. … Psalm 56:1-13 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. / My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me. / When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. … 1 Samuel 18:12-15 So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. / Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, / and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him. … 1 Samuel 27:1-4 David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.” / So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. / David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. … 1 Kings 2:26 Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” Genesis 20:11 Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’ Genesis 26:7 But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” Treasury of Scripture 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? Jump to Previous Act Carry Enough House Lack Mad Madman Madmen Need Play Presence Short UnbalancedJump to Next Act Carry Enough House Lack Mad Madman Madmen Need Play Presence Short Unbalanced1 Samuel 21 1. David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread7. Doeg is present 8. David takes Goliath's sword 10. David at Gath feigns himself insane Am I in need of madmen In this phrase, King Achish of Gath questions the necessity of having another madman in his presence. The cultural context of the time viewed madness as a sign of divine displeasure or possession. Achish's rhetorical question suggests that he already has enough troublemakers or madmen in his court, indicating that David's feigned madness was convincing. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of mental illness and its social implications. that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?” Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe future king of Israel, who is fleeing from King Saul and feigns madness to protect himself from King Achish of Gath. 2. Achish The king of Gath, a Philistine city, who encounters David and questions his sanity. 3. Gath A Philistine city where David seeks refuge, highlighting the tension between Israel and the Philistines. 4. Saul The current king of Israel, whose pursuit of David forces him into precarious situations. 5. Philistines The people of Gath, representing a significant threat to Israel during this period. Teaching Points God's Protection in Unlikely PlacesDavid's escape to Gath, a city of his enemies, shows that God can provide safety even in unexpected circumstances. Wisdom and Discernment David's feigned madness demonstrates the importance of using wisdom and discernment in difficult situations to achieve God's purposes. Trust in God's Sovereignty Despite the danger, David's actions reflect a deep trust in God's sovereignty and plan for his life. The Role of Fear and Faith David's fear of Saul and Achish is real, yet his faith in God allows him to navigate these fears effectively. The Power of Humility David's willingness to humble himself by acting insane shows the power of humility in achieving God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 21:15?2. How does David's behavior in 1 Samuel 21:15 demonstrate reliance on God? 3. What can we learn about God's protection from David's actions in 1 Samuel 21? 4. How does 1 Samuel 21:15 connect to Jesus' teachings on wisdom and innocence? 5. How can we apply David's strategy in 1 Samuel 21:15 to our challenges? 6. What does 1 Samuel 21:15 teach about trusting God's plan in difficult situations? 7. Why did David pretend to be insane in 1 Samuel 21:15? 8. How does 1 Samuel 21:15 reflect on David's character and leadership? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Samuel 21:15? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 21? 11. How do we reconcile 1 Samuel 16:7's emphasis on God looking at the heart with David's 'handsome' description in 16:12, suggesting external attributes mattered? 12. How realistic is the swift exchange of secret messages in 2 Samuel 17:15-21, given the distance and security risks involved in ancient Israel? 13. Does God change his mind? I Samuel 15:10-11, 15:35, and Genesis 6:6-7 suggest yes, while I Samuel 15:29 suggests no. How do these contradictions reconcile? 14. How can the dramatic shift in Saul's demeanor in 1 Samuel 10:6 be explained scientifically or psychologically? What Does 1 Samuel 21:15 Mean Am I in need of madmen• Speaker: Achish, king of Gath, reacts to David’s feigned insanity (1 Samuel 21:13-14). • Literal sense: Achish declares he already has plenty of “madmen,” likely referring to deranged or demon-tormented individuals in his city. • Point made: – He sees no benefit in adding another unstable person to his court. – His words show exasperation, not curiosity. • Spiritual thread: God uses David’s ruse to protect him from Philistine harm, just as He shielded David from Saul’s spear (1 Samuel 18:11; 19:10). • Echo elsewhere: The world has always misjudged God’s servants; Paul notes, “We are fools for Christ” (1 Colossians 4:10). That you have brought this man to rave in my presence • “This man” is identified by Achish’s servants as David, “the king of the land” (1 Samuel 21:11). • “Rave” describes David’s deliberate act of scratching doors and letting saliva run down his beard (1 Samuel 21:13). • Achish’s concern: – Public disorder before royalty was intolerable. – Allowing it could undermine his authority. • God’s providence: David’s humiliation becomes a means of escape, matching earlier rescues when Jonathan’s arrows warned him to flee (1 Samuel 20:35-42). • Personal application: Sometimes God leads His people through humbling strategies (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6), yet those very moments thwart enemy plans. Must this man come into my house? • Final rejection: Achish refuses David entrance to the royal residence, effectively expelling him from Gath. • Consequence: David departs to the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1), where God gathers those who will become his mighty men. • Thematic links: – Pharaoh once drove out Moses (Exodus 12:31-32); God’s servant left with greater purpose. – Jesus was later rejected in Nazareth (Luke 4:28-30), moving on to fulfill the Father’s plan. • Lesson: Human rejection can be divine redirection, steering believers toward God-appointed places of refuge and preparation (Romans 8:28; Psalm 34, the psalm David composed “when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left”). summary Achish’s three rapid questions expose his frustration, yet each line reveals God’s covert safeguarding of David. The king claims no need for more madmen, refuses a raving man before him, and bars that man from his house—actions that send David safely on his way. God turns apparent folly into deliverance, proving again that He rules over ungodly rulers and uses unexpected means to advance His purposes for His anointed. Hebrew Am Iאָ֔נִי (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I in need of חֲסַ֤ר (ḥă·sar) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 2638: Needy, lacking, in want of madmen, מְשֻׁגָּעִים֙ (mə·šug·gā·‘îm) Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7696: To rave through insanity that כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you have brought הֲבֵאתֶ֣ם (hă·ḇê·ṯem) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go this man זֶ֔ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that to rave לְהִשְׁתַּגֵּ֖עַ (lə·hiš·tag·gê·a‘) Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct Strong's 7696: To rave through insanity in my presence? עָלָ֑י (‘ā·lāy) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Must this [man] הֲזֶ֖ה (hă·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that come יָב֥וֹא (yā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to my house?” בֵּיתִֽי׃ (bê·ṯî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1004: A house Links 1 Samuel 21:15 NIV1 Samuel 21:15 NLT 1 Samuel 21:15 ESV 1 Samuel 21:15 NASB 1 Samuel 21:15 KJV 1 Samuel 21:15 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 21:15 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 21:15 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 21:15 French Bible 1 Samuel 21:15 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 21:15 Do I lack madmen that you have (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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