Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Samuel 21:14-15 (New Living Translation)

14 Finally, King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman? 15 We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?”

This is part of the (hi)story of David and his men fleeing from King Saul. David goes to the country of Gath ruled by King Achish. Fearing what might happen to him and his men, David has the idea that he will pretend to be “insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.’ (verse 13).

King Achish takes one look at David and tells his men what we read above. The king already has enough madmen around here.

It seems that David was a good actor. It also seems that David was a good liar. His stunts convinced King Achish that he was a madman and, therefore, harmless. King Achish allowed David and his men to stay.

I have much personal experience with family members with mental illness—what some would call “madness” or being a “madman.” I didn’t and still don’t enjoy the experiences, but there are times when I can thank God for the experience and what God taught me.

I can tell God that I’ve had enough madmen around me. I can tell God that I’ve had enough fill-in-the-blank around here. God knows better. God knows what and who to send my way. My task is to accept God as God and humbly learn. Please God, help me in my unbelief.