Lectionary Calendar
Friday, September 12th, 2025
the Week of Proper 18 / Ordinary 23
the Week of Proper 18 / Ordinary 23
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Read the Bible
Young's Literal Translation
1 Samuel 21:15
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?'
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?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
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.
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.
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.
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 David riseth and fleeth on that day from the face of Saul, and cometh in unto Achish king of Gath; 11 and the servants of Achish say unto him, `Is not this David king of the land? is it not of this one they sing in dances, saying, `Saul smote among his thousands, and David among his myriads?' 12 And David layeth these words in his heart, and is exceedingly afraid of the face of Achish king of Gath, 13 and changeth his behaviour before their eyes, and feigneth himself mad in their hand, and scribbleth on the doors of the gate, and letteth down his spittle unto his beard. 14 And Achish saith unto his servants, `Lo, ye see a man acting as a madman; why do ye bring him in unto me? 15 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?'
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Reciprocal: Psalms 119:161 - Princes
Cross-References
Genesis 21:1
And Jehovah hath looked after Sarah as He hath said, and Jehovah doth to Sarah as He hath spoken;
And Jehovah hath looked after Sarah as He hath said, and Jehovah doth to Sarah as He hath spoken;
Genesis 21:3
and Abraham calleth the name of his son who is born to him, whom Sarah hath born to him -- Isaac;
and Abraham calleth the name of his son who is born to him, whom Sarah hath born to him -- Isaac;
Genesis 21:14
And Abraham riseth early in the morning, and taketh bread, and a bottle of water, and giveth unto Hagar (placing [it] on her shoulder), also the lad, and sendeth her out; and she goeth on, and goeth astray in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba;
And Abraham riseth early in the morning, and taketh bread, and a bottle of water, and giveth unto Hagar (placing [it] on her shoulder), also the lad, and sendeth her out; and she goeth on, and goeth astray in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba;
Genesis 21:22
And it cometh to pass at that time that Abimelech speaketh -- Phichol also, head of his host -- unto Abraham, saying, `God [is] with thee in all that thou art doing;
And it cometh to pass at that time that Abimelech speaketh -- Phichol also, head of his host -- unto Abraham, saying, `God [is] with thee in all that thou art doing;
Genesis 21:25
And Abraham reasoned with Abimelech concerning the matter of a well of water which Abimelech's servants have taken violently away,
And Abraham reasoned with Abimelech concerning the matter of a well of water which Abimelech's servants have taken violently away,
2 Kings 3:9
And the king of Israel goeth, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom, and they turn round the way seven days, and there hath been no water for the camp, and for the cattle that [are] at their feet,
And the king of Israel goeth, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom, and they turn round the way seven days, and there hath been no water for the camp, and for the cattle that [are] at their feet,
Psalms 63:1
A Psalm of David, in his being in the wilderness of Judah. O God, Thou [art] my God, earnestly do I seek Thee, Thirsted for Thee hath my soul, Longed for Thee hath my flesh, In a land dry and weary, without waters.
A Psalm of David, in his being in the wilderness of Judah. O God, Thou [art] my God, earnestly do I seek Thee, Thirsted for Thee hath my soul, Longed for Thee hath my flesh, In a land dry and weary, without waters.
Isaiah 44:12
He hath wrought iron [with] an axe, And hath wrought with coals, And with hammers doth form it, And doth work it by his powerful arm, Yea, he is hungry, and there is no power, He doth not drink water, and he is wearied.
He hath wrought iron [with] an axe, And hath wrought with coals, And with hammers doth form it, And doth work it by his powerful arm, Yea, he is hungry, and there is no power, He doth not drink water, and he is wearied.
Jeremiah 14:3
And their honourable ones have sent their little ones to the water, They have come unto ditches, They have not found water, They have turned back -- their vessels empty! They have been ashamed, And have blushed and covered their head.
And their honourable ones have sent their little ones to the water, They have come unto ditches, They have not found water, They have turned back -- their vessels empty! They have been ashamed, And have blushed and covered their head.
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.
