1 Samuel 21:15

WEB

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

KJV

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?

Commentary

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 w ithout, 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, Psa 34:1 . (w) Midrash Tillim apud Abarbinel. in loc. Next: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 22 Sacred Texts | Bible « Previous: John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: 1 Kings (1 Sa... Index Next: John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: 1 Kings (1 Sa... »