| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The verse comprises two linked rhetorical questions. The first clause opens with the participle chaser {חָסֵר | ḥā-sēr} “lacking” modifying mishshagagaim {מִשְּׁגָגָיִם | miš-šā-ḡā-yim} “errors/madmen,” with ani-kamo {אָֽנִי־כָּמֹה | ʾā-nî-kā-mō} intensifying the complaint. The Qal perfect haveta {הָבֵאתָ | hā-ḇê-ʾāṯā} denotes the addressee’s completed action of bringing David, followed by the infinitive yirʾeh {יִרְאֵה | yir-ʾê} and preposition el {אֶל | ʾel} forming a purpose clause “to be seen before me.” The second clause, rendered as “Shall he come into my house?,” is an elliptical question challenging the notion of David’s entry. This bi-clausal structure and fronting heighten Achish’s scorn and rejection of further feigned madness. |