1 Samuel 21

1Sa 21:1-7.

DAVID, AT

NOB,

OBTAINS OF

AHIMELECH

HALLOWED

BREAD.

1. Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech--Nob, a city of the priests

(1Sa 22:19),

was in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives--a little

north of the top, and on the northeast of the city. It is computed to

have been about five miles distant from Gibeah. Ahimelech, the same as

Ahiah, or perhaps his brother, both being sons of Ahitub (compare

1Sa 14:3,

with 1Sa 22:4-11, 20).

His object in fleeing to this place was partly for the supply of his

necessities, and partly for comfort and counsel, in the prospect of

leaving the kingdom.

Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David--suspecting some

extraordinary occurrence by his appearing so suddenly, and in such a

style, for his attendants were left at a little distance.

2. The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let

no man know--This was a direct falsehood, extorted through fear. David

probably supposed, like many other persons, that a lie is quite

excusable which is told for the sole purpose of saving the speaker's

life. But what is essentially sinful, can never, from circumstances,

change its immoral character; and David had to repent of this vice of

lying

(Ps 119:29).

4. there is hallowed bread--There would be plenty of bread in his

house; but there was no time to wait for it. "The hallowed bread" was

the old shew-bread, which had been removed the previous day, and which

was reserved for the use of the priests alone

(Le 24:9).

Before entertaining the idea that this bread could be lawfully given to

David and his men, the high priest seems to have consulted the oracle

(1Sa 22:10)

as to the course to be followed in this emergency. A dispensation to

use the hallowed bread was specially granted by God Himself.

5. these three days--as required by law

(Ex 19:15).

David and his attendants seem to have been lurking in some of the

adjoining caves, to elude pursuit, and to have been, consequently,

reduced to great extremities of hunger.

the bread is in a manner common--that is, now that it is no longer

standing on the Lord's table. It is eaten by the priests, and may also,

in our circumstances, be eaten by us.

yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel--that is,

though the hallowed bread had been but newly placed on the vessel, the

ritual ordinance would have to yield to the great law of necessity and

mercy (see on

Mt 12:3;

also see

Mr 2:25;

Lu 6:3).

6. there was no bread there--in the tabernacle. The removal of the

old and the substitution of the new bread was done on the Sabbath

(Le 24:8),

the loaves being kept warm in an oven heated the previous day.

7. Doeg, an Edomite--who had embraced the Hebrew religion.

detained before the Lord--at the tabernacle, perhaps, in the

performance of a vow, or from its being the Sabbath, which rendered it

unlawful for him to prosecute his journey.

the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul--Eastern monarchs

anciently had large possessions in flocks and herds; and the office of

the chief shepherd was an important one.

1Sa 21:9.

HE

TAKES

GOLIATH'S

SWORD.

9. sword of Goliath--(See on

1Sa 17:54).

behind the ephod--in the place allowed for keeping the sacred

vestments, of which the ephod is mentioned as the chief. The giant's

sword was deposited in that safe custody as a memorial of the divine

goodness in delivering Israel.

There is none like that--not only for its size and superior temper,

but for its being a pledge of the divine favor to him, and a constant

stimulus to his faith.

1Sa 21:10-15.

AT

GATH

HE

FEIGNS

HIMSELF

MAD.

10. David . . . fled . . . to Achish the king of Gath--which was one

of the five principalities of the Philistines. In this place his person

must have been known, and to venture into that country, he their

greatest enemy, and with the sword of Goliath in his hand, would seem

to have been a perilous experiment; but, doubtless, the protection he

received implies that he had been directed by the divine oracle. Achish

was generous

(1Sa 27:6).

He might wish to weaken the resources of Saul, and it was common in

ancient times for great men to be harbored by neighboring princes.

13. feigned himself mad--It is supposed to have been an attack of

epilepsy, real or perhaps only pretended. This disease is relieved by

foaming at the mouth.

let his spittle fall down upon his beard--No wonder that Achish

supposed him insane, as such an indignity, whether done by another, or

one's self, to the beard, is considered in the East an intolerable

insult.