1 Samuel 21:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10-15

David, though king elect, is here an exile?designed to be master of vast treasures, yet just now begging his bread?anointed to the crown, and yet here forced to flee from his country. Thus do God's providences sometimes seem to run counter to his promises, for the trial of his people's faith, and the glorifying of his name, in the accomplishment of his counsels, notwithstanding the difficulties that lay in the way. Here is, 1. David's flight into the land of the Philistines, where he hoped to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:15

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 F23 Midrash Tillim apud Abarbinel. in loc. 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:8-15

The hero unheroic. I. A WEAPON WAS GIVEN TO DAVID AT NOB THAT SHOULD HAVE STIRRED ALL THE HEROIC ELEMENT IN HIM AND RESTORED HIS FALTERING FAITH . Had he forgotten that the sword of Goliath was in custody of the priests? Or did he remember it, and was it for a sight and a grasp of this mighty weapon that he longed? Who can tell? The priest reminded him of the day when, with that very sword, he beheaded the prostrate giant in the valley of Elah.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10-15

Uncertain light. The facts are— 1 . Arriving at Nob, David quiets the suspicions of Ahimelech by stating that he was on the king's secret business. 2 . On this ground he asks for and obtains hallowed bread to appease his hunger, and the sword of Goliath. 3 . Doeg the Edomite, being detained there that day, is observant of David's proceedings. Hitherto David had held position as an officer in Saul's household or in the army, and therefore, despite Saul's private jealousy, had a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10-15

Uncertain light. The facts are— 1 . In continued fear of Saul, David flees to the king of Gath. 2 . Being recognised as the conqueror of Goliath, he fears the consequences. 3 . To escape vengeance he feigns madness. 4 . Achish the king thereupon refuses to have him in his service. There is no evidence that David received any Divine direction through the high priest, but the reverse ( 1 Samuel 22:15 ). He appears to have been left to the exercise of his own judgment as to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:14-15

The man is mad. Achish supposes that David's madness was real, and "drove him away" ( Psalms 34:1-22 ; 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. In my presence. Rather, "against me." Achish feared personal injury.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 21:15

1 Samuel 21:15. Have I need of madmen? It is highly probable that Achish was aware this madness was counterfeit. But, being desirous to preserve David, he spoke as if he thought it real. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:1-15

Flight from Saul (21:1-15)The first place to which David fled was Nob, which, since the destruction of Shiloh, had become the city of priests (21:1). About this time a few personal servants joined him, according to an arrangement he had made with them earlier. David obtained food for himself and his men by deceiving Ahimelech the priest concerning the purpose of his journey. Unfortunately for him, and for Ahimelech and the other priests, he was seen by someone sympathetic to Saul (2-9).From Nob... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 21:15

Have I . . . ? shall this . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . read more

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