Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 21st, 2025
the Fourth Week of Advent
the Fourth Week of Advent
video advertismenet
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Read the Bible
Brenton's Septuagint
1 Samuel 21:15
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.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- InternationalParallel Translations
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?”
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?”
Hebrew Names 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?
Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
King James Version
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?
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?
Lexham English Bible
Do I lack madmen that you have brought this one to act like a madman before me? Should this one enter my household?"
Do I lack madmen that you have brought this one to act like a madman before me? Should this one enter my household?"
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?"
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 Century Version
I have enough madmen. I don't need you to bring him here to act like this in front of me! Don't let him in my house!"
I have enough madmen. I don't need you to bring him here to act like this in front of me! Don't let him in my house!"
New English Translation
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?"
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?"
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?"
"Do I lack madmen, that you bring this one to behave like a madman in my presence? Shall this one 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?"
"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?"
Geneva Bible (1587)
Haue I neede of mad men, that ye haue brought this fellowe to play the mad man in my presence? shall he come into mine house?
Haue I neede of mad men, that ye haue brought this fellowe to play the mad man in my presence? shall he come into mine 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?"
Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman before me? Shall this one come into my house?"
Contemporary English Version
I have enough crazy people without your bringing another one here. Keep him away from my palace!"
I have enough crazy people without your bringing another one here. Keep him away from my palace!"
Complete Jewish Bible
Akhish said to his servants, "Here, you see that the man is meshugga; why bring him to me? Am I short of meshugga‘im? Is that why you've brought this one to go crazy on me? Must I have this one in my house?"
Akhish said to his servants, "Here, you see that the man is meshugga; why bring him to me? Am I short of meshugga‘im? Is that why you've brought this one to go crazy on me? Must I have this one in my house?"
Darby Translation
have I lack of madmen, that ye have brought this one to rave in my presence? shall this [man] come into my house?
have I lack of madmen, that ye have brought this one to rave in my presence? shall this [man] come into my house?
Easy-to-Read Version
I have enough crazy men. I don't need you to bring this man to my house to act crazy in front of me. Don't let this man come into my house again."
I have enough crazy men. I don't need you to bring this man to my house to act crazy in front of me. Don't let this man come into my house again."
George Lamsa Translation
Do I lack good manners, that you have brought this fellow who misbehaves in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?
Do I lack good manners, that you have brought this fellow who misbehaves in my presence? Shall this fellow 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?"
Don't I have enough madmen already? Why bring another one to bother me with his crazy actions right here in my own house?"
Literal Translation
Do I have need of maddened ones , that you have brought this one in to show madness beside me? Shall this one come into my house?
Do I have need of maddened ones , that you have brought this one in to show madness beside me? Shall this one come into my house?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Haue I to fewe madd men, that ye haue brought this hither to be madd before me? Shulde he come in to my house?
Haue I to fewe madd men, that ye haue brought this hither to be madd before me? Shulde he come in to 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?
Do I lack madmen, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
Bible in Basic English
Are there not enough unbalanced men about me, that you have let this person come and do such tricks before me? is such a man to come into my house?
Are there not enough unbalanced men about me, that you have let this person come and do such tricks before me? is such a man to come into my house?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Haue I neede of mad men, that ye haue brought this felowe to play the mad man in my presence? Shall he come into my house?
Haue I neede of mad men, that ye haue brought this felowe to play the mad man in my presence? Shall he come into my house?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then said Achish unto his servants: 'Lo, when ye see a man that is mad, wherefore do ye bring him to me? Do I lack madmen, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?'
Then said Achish unto his servants: 'Lo, when ye see a man that is mad, wherefore do ye bring him to me? Do I lack madmen, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?'
King James Version (1611)
Haue I need of mad-men, that ye haue brought this fellow to play the mad-man in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?
Haue I need of mad-men, that ye haue brought this fellow to play the mad-man in my presence? Shall this fellow 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?
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?
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?"
Am I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
whether wood men failen to vs? whi han ye brouyt in hym, that he schulde be wood, while Y am present? Delyuere ye hym fro hennus, lest he entre in to myn hows.
whether wood men failen to vs? whi han ye brouyt in hym, that he schulde be wood, while Y am present? Delyuere ye hym fro hennus, lest he entre in to myn hows.
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?'
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?'
Update Bible Version
Do I lack lunatics, that you have brought this fellow to play the lunatic in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
Do I lack lunatics, that you have brought this fellow to play the lunatic 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?
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?
Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman 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?"
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 Living Translation
We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?"
We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?"
New Life Bible
Do I need any crazy men, that you bring this one to act crazy in front of me? Will this one come into my house?"
Do I need any crazy men, that you bring this one to act crazy in front of me? Will this one come into my house?"
New Revised Standard
Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?"
Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Lacking of madmen, am I that ye should bring in this one to play his mad pranks, unto me? Shall, this, one enter my household?
Lacking of madmen, am I that ye should bring in this one to play his mad pranks, unto me? Shall, this, one enter my household?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Have we need of mad men, that you have brought in this fellow, to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
Have we need of mad men, that you have brought in this fellow, to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
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?"
Do I lack 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 (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?"
"Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman in my presence? Shall this one come into my house?"
Contextual Overview
10 And he gave it him; and David arose, and fled in that day from he presence of Saul: and David came to Anchus king of Geth. 11 And the servants of Anchus said to him, Is not this David the king of the land? Did not the dancing women begin the son to him, saying, Saul has smitten his thousand, and David his ten thousands? 12 And David laid up the words in his heart, and was greatly afraid of Anchus king of Geth. 13 And he changed his appearance before him, and feigned himself a false character in that day; and drummed upon the doors of the city, and used extravagant gestures with his hands, and fell against the doors of the gate, and his spittle ran down upon his beard. 14 And Anchus said to his servants, Lo! ye see the man is mad: why have ye brought him in to me? 15 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.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Reciprocal: Psalms 119:161 - Princes
Cross-References
Genesis 21:1
And the Lord visited Sarrha, as he said, and the Lord did to Sarrha, as he spoke.
And the Lord visited Sarrha, as he said, and the Lord did to Sarrha, as he spoke.
Genesis 21:3
And Abraam called the name of his son that was born to him, whom Sarrha bore to him, Isaac.
And Abraam called the name of his son that was born to him, whom Sarrha bore to him, Isaac.
Genesis 21:14
And Abraam rose up in the morning and took loaves and a skin of water, and gave them to Agar, and he put the child on her shoulder, and sent her away, and she having departed wandered in the wilderness near the well of the oath.
And Abraam rose up in the morning and took loaves and a skin of water, and gave them to Agar, and he put the child on her shoulder, and sent her away, and she having departed wandered in the wilderness near the well of the oath.
Genesis 21:22
And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech spoke, and Ochozath his friend, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, to Abraam, saying, God is with thee in all things, whatsoever thou mayest do.
And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech spoke, and Ochozath his friend, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, to Abraam, saying, God is with thee in all things, whatsoever thou mayest do.
Genesis 21:25
And Abraam reproved Abimelech because of the wells of water, which the servants of Abimelech took away.
And Abraam reproved Abimelech because of the wells of water, which the servants of Abimelech took away.
2 Kings 3:9
And the king of Israel went, and the king of Juda, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey; and there was no water for the army, and for the cattle that went with them.
And the king of Israel went, and the king of Juda, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey; and there was no water for the army, and for the cattle that went with them.
Psalms 63:1
O God, my God, I cry to thee early; my soul has thirsted for thee: how often has my flesh longed after thee, in a barren and trackless and dry land!
O God, my God, I cry to thee early; my soul has thirsted for thee: how often has my flesh longed after thee, in a barren and trackless and dry land!
Isaiah 44:12
For the artificer sharpens the iron; he fashions the idol with an axe, and fixes it with an awl, and fashions it with the strength of his arm: and he will be hungry and weak, and will drink no water.
For the artificer sharpens the iron; he fashions the idol with an axe, and fixes it with an awl, and fashions it with the strength of his arm: and he will be hungry and weak, and will drink no water.
Jeremiah 14:3
And her nobles have sent their little ones to the water: they came to the wells, and found no water: and brought back their vessels empty.
And her nobles have sent their little ones to the water: they came to the wells, and found no water: and brought back their vessels empty.
Gill's Notes on the 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, Psalms 34:1.
w Midrash Tillim apud Abarbinel. in loc.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Samuel 21:15. Shall this fellow come into my house? — I will not take into my service a man who is liable to so grievous a disease. Chandler, who vindicates David's feigning himself, mad, concludes thus: "To deceive the deceiver is in many instances meritorious, in none criminal. And what so likely to deceive as the very reverse of that character which they had so misconstrued? He was undone as a wise man, he had a chance to escape as a madman; he tried, and the experiment succeeded." I confess I can neither feel the force nor the morality of this. Deceit and hypocrisy can never be pleasing in the sight of God.
