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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 21:14 Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/21-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/09_1Sa_21_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 21:14 - David Flees to Gath" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Achish said to his servants, Look, you can see that the man is insane! 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He is insane! Why bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Finally, King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore <i>then</i> have ye brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is behaving like an insane person. Why do you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, &#8220Behold, you see the man behaving as a madman. Why do you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man behaving as a madman. Why do you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man behaving as a madman. Why do you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see that the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Look! You can see the man is crazy,” Achish said to his servants. “Why did you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Look! You can see the man is crazy,&#8221 Achish said to his servants. &#8220Why did you bring him to me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad; wherefore then have ye brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Look at him!" Achish said to his officers. "You can see he's crazy. Why did you bring him to me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Achish said to his officers, "Look at him! Don't you see [that he's] insane? Why bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So Achish said to his officials, "Look! The man is crazy! Why did you bring him to me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Achish told his officials, "Look, you see a person acting like a madman. Why'd you bring him to me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Achish said to his servants, "Look at this madman! Why did you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then said Achish to his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: why then have ye brought him to me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why then have you brought him to me? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Achish says to his servants, “Behold, you see a man acting as a madman; why do you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Achish saith unto his servants, 'Lo, ye see a man acting as a madman; why do ye bring him in unto me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br /><RF q=*><font color=#808080><i>The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for </i></font><i><font color=#0000FF> <a href=#>1 Sam 21:15</a></i></font><Rf> And Achish will say to his servants, Behold, ye will see the man raving: wherefore will ye bring him to me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Achis said to his servants: You saw the man was mad: why have you brought him to me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Achish said to his servants: “You saw that the man is insane. Why did you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Finally Achish said to his servants: “You see the man is mad. Why did you bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is mad; why then have you brought him to me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Achish said to his servants. Lo, you see the man is mad; why then have you brought him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he changed his sensibility in his eyes and was disfigured in their eyes, and he sat down at the door post of the door and he put spittle on his beard<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then said Achish unto his servants: 'Lo, when ye see a man that is mad, wherefore do ye bring him to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Anchus said to his servants, Lo! ye see the man <i>is</i> mad: why have ye brought him in to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/21-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=6424" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">David Flees to Gath</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/397.htm" title="397: ’ā·ḵîš (N-proper-ms) -- King of Gath. Of uncertain derivation; Akish, a Philistine king.">Then Achish</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el-To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">his servants,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Look,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: ṯir·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">you can see that</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">the man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7696.htm" title="7696: miš·tag·gê·a‘ (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be mad. A primitive root; to rave through insanity.">is insane!</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: tā·ḇî·’ū (V-Hifil-Imperf-2mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">have you brought</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāy (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to me?</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>Am I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-1.htm">Psalm 34:1-22</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/56-1.htm">Psalm 56:1-13</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/3-21.htm">Mark 3:21</a></span><br />When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-24.htm">Acts 26:24</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2</a></span><br />Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Genesis 26:7</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-15.htm">1 Kings 14:15</a></span><br />For the LORD will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water. He will uproot Israel from this good land that He gave their fathers, and He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherah poles, provoking the LORD to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-11.htm">2 Kings 9:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-26.htm">Jeremiah 29:26</a></span><br />‘The LORD has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada, to be the chief officer in the house of the LORD, responsible for any madman who acts like a prophet—you must put him in stocks and neck irons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Hosea 9:7</a></span><br />The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18-19</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ / The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-20.htm">John 10:20</a></span><br />Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/12-15.htm">Acts 12:15</a></span><br />“You are out of your mind,” they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-32.htm">Acts 17:32</a></span><br />When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-13.htm">2 Corinthians 5:13</a></span><br />If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then said Achish to his servants, See, you see the man is mad: why then have you brought him to me?</p><p class="hdg">is mad.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:7</a></b></br> Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-12.htm">Achish</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-12.htm">A'chish</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">Behaving</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-6.htm">Clearly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm">Insane</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm">Mad</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm">Madman</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-11.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/27-2.htm">Achish</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-2.htm">A'chish</a> <a href="/job/36-9.htm">Behaving</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-27.htm">Clearly</a> <a href="/psalms/34-1.htm">Insane</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-15.htm">Mad</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-15.htm">Madman</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-7.htm">Doeg is present</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">David takes Goliath's sword</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-10.htm">David at Gath feigns himself insane</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Achish said to his servants</b><br>Achish was the king of Gath, one of the five major Philistine cities. The Philistines were long-standing enemies of Israel, and David's presence in Gath was significant because he was fleeing from King Saul. Achish's role as a Philistine leader highlights the tension between Israel and the Philistines, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. This moment foreshadows David's complex relationship with the Philistines, as he later seeks refuge among them again.<p><b>Look, you can see that the man is insane!</b><br>David feigned madness to protect himself from potential harm, as he was recognized by the servants of Achish. In ancient Near Eastern culture, madness was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or possession, and it could evoke fear or pity. David's behavior here is a strategic move to avoid being perceived as a threat. This act of feigned insanity is a testament to David's resourcefulness and survival instincts, which are evident throughout his life.<p><b>Why have you brought him to me?</b><br>Achish's question reflects his surprise and perhaps irritation at having a seemingly madman brought before him. In the context of the time, kings were often approached with matters of importance, and bringing someone who appeared insane would have been seen as a waste of the king's time. This question underscores the unexpected nature of David's presence in Gath and highlights the tension between David's true identity and his current predicament. The situation also illustrates the theme of God's providence, as David's ruse successfully leads to his escape from a potentially dangerous situation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The future king of Israel, who is fleeing from King Saul and feigns madness to escape danger in Gath.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/achish.htm">Achish</a></b><br>The king of Gath, a Philistine city, who encounters David and questions his sanity.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gath.htm">Gath</a></b><br>A Philistine city, known as the hometown of Goliath, where David seeks refuge.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/servants_of_achish.htm">Servants of Achish</a></b><br>They bring David to Achish, suspecting his identity and intentions.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/feigned_madness.htm">Feigned Madness</a></b><br>David's act of pretending to be insane to avoid being recognized and harmed by the Philistines.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_protection_in_unlikely_ways.htm">God's Protection in Unlikely Ways</a></b><br>David's feigned madness is an example of God using unexpected means to protect His chosen ones. We should remain open to God's unconventional methods of deliverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_desperation.htm">Wisdom in Desperation</a></b><br>David's quick thinking in a desperate situation shows the importance of wisdom and discernment. In times of crisis, seeking God's guidance can lead to creative solutions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite the appearance of chaos, God is in control. David's experience reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_fear_and_faith.htm">The Role of Fear and Faith</a></b><br>David's actions were driven by fear, yet his faith in God remained. This duality teaches us to acknowledge our fears but to let faith guide our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_reputation.htm">The Importance of Reputation</a></b><br>David's reputation as a warrior preceded him, causing fear among the Philistines. Our actions and character can have far-reaching impacts, influencing how others perceive us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_doeg_alone_kill_many_priests.htm">Are there historical or logistical issues with Doeg, a single Edomite, carrying out the massacre of so many priests (1 Samuel 21:7 - 22:18-19)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_david's_deceit_with_morals.htm">How do we reconcile David's apparent deception before King Achish (1 Samuel 27:10-12) with biblical moral standards?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_change_his_mind_or_not.htm">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?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_70,000_die_for_david's_census.htm">How is it fair for 70,000 people to die (1 Chronicles 21:14) because of David's census?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">Then said Achish . . . the man is mad.</span>--The Philistine king would look with peculiar sorrow and repulsion on a madman if, as according to Jewish tradition (see Philippson), <span class= "ital">his own wife and daughter were insane.</span><p>The device, however, succeeded, as David hoped it would, and he was suffered to depart in safety--nay, was even hurried out of the Philistine country. In old times, as now, in many parts of the East, the insane are looked upon as persons in some peculiar way possessed by, and therefore under the more immediate protection of, Deity. The life then of the hunted fugitive was perfectly safe from the moment the Philistines considered him mad.<p>There is a curious legend in the Talmud in which several events recorded in the Biblical account are confused. Part of it apparently refers to this strange choice of his of Phillstia as a place of refuge. "One day <span class= "ital">Satan </span>appeared to him (David) in the shape of a gazelle, which, eluding his pursuit, decoyed him into the land of the Philistines. 'Ah!' said Ishbi-benob, when he caught sight of him, 'art thou the man that slew my brother, Goliath?' So saying, he seized and bound him."--Treatise <span class= "ital">Sanhedrin, </span>fol. 95, cols 1, 2. The wild legend goes on to explain how, partly by miracle, partly with the aid of Abishai, David slew Ishbi-benob and escaped.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14, 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The man is mad.</span> Achish supposes that David's madness was real, and "drove him away" (<a href="/psalms/34.htm">Psalm 34</a>, title). Here we have only his contemptuous words, declaring that he had madmen enough of his own, and needed no more. As madmen were looked upon in old time as possessed by the Deity, and therefore as persons who must not be interfered with, they probably presumed upon the liberty granted them, and gave much annoyance. <span class="cmt_word">In my presence.</span> Rather, "against me." Achish feared personal injury. <span class="cmt_word">Shall this fellow come into my house?</span> A strong negative taking the form of a question. It means, David shall not enter into my service (comp. <a href="/psalms/34.htm">Psalm 34</a>, title). The whole psalm bears witness to the deep perturbation of David's spirit, and helps to explain his strange conduct. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/21-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Achish</span><br /><span class="heb">אָכִ֖ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵîš)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_397.htm">Strong's 397: </a> </span><span class="str2">Achish -- king of Gath</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his servants,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבָדָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Look,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you can see</span><br /><span class="heb">תִרְאוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṯir·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is insane!</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁתַּגֵּ֔עַ</span> <span class="translit">(miš·tag·gê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7696.htm">Strong's 7696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rave through insanity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֛מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have you brought</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּבִ֥יאוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḇî·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹת֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me?</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/21-14.htm">1 Samuel 21:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/21-14.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 21:14 Then said Achish to his servants Look (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/21-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>