King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore [then] have ye brought him to me?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Akhish said to his servants, "Here, you see that the man is meshugga; why bring him to me?
Berean Standard Bible:
Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me?
American Standard Version:
Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad; wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then said{H559} Achish{H397} unto his servants{H5650}, Lo, ye see{H7200} the man{H376} is mad{H7696}: wherefore then have ye brought{H935} him to me?
Cross-References (KJV):
Ecclesiastes 7:7
- ¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 21:14
1 Samuel 21:14 is a verse set within the broader narrative of David's life as he flees from King Saul, who seeks to kill him out of jealousy and fear of David's growing popularity and status as God's anointed. Prior to this verse, David has been anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel, has defeated Goliath, and has served under Saul, gaining fame and the king's ire. In the immediate context, David has fled to the Philistine city of Gath, where Achish is king. Fearful for his life, David feigns madness in hopes of being dismissed by Achish and thus preserving his life.
In 1 Samuel 21:14 specifically, Achish, the king of Gath, responds to the spectacle of David's pretended insanity. David has been acting madly, scratching on doors and drooling, in an attempt to convince the Philistines that he is not a threat. Achish's reaction is one of disdain and dismissal; he questions why his servants would bring such a troubled individual to him. This moment underscores several themes: the cunning and resourcefulness of David, who resorts to deception to ensure his survival; the sovereignty of God in protecting His anointed, even through unconventional means; and the tension between the Israelites and the Philistines during this period.
Historically, this event occurs during a time of conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, and David's presence in Gath is highly unusual given this context. The verse reflects the political intrigue and personal danger that characterized David's early life, as well as the lengths to which he would go to preserve his own life and, ultimately, his destiny to become king. Achish's words reveal the cultural perception of mental illness at the time, as well as the practical concern for the safety and stability of the royal court. David's ruse succeeds, as Achish sees him as a harmless madman rather than a formidable enemy or potential asset, leading to his release and further flight from Saul's relentless pursuit.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H397
There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲכִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼĂkîysh
Pronunciation: aw-keesh'
Description: of uncertain derivation; Akish, a Philistine king; Achish. - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H7696
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁגַע
Transliteration: shâgaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-gah'
Description: a primitive root; to rave through insanity; (be, play the) mad (man). - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.