Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 21

Verse 1

Ahimelech . So called here and in 1 Samuel 22:9 , 1 Samuel 22:11 , 1 Samuel 22:14 , 1 Samuel 22:16 , 1 Samuel 22:20 . See note on 1 Samuel 14:3 and Mark 2:26 ,

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 4

common : i.e. or unhallowed.

hallowed = holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

kept . And thus ceremonially clean, to eat such bread.

Verse 5

vessels = wallets. Compare 1 Samuel 17:40 . Word not used in O.T. in the N.T. sense of 2 Timothy 2:21 . 1 Thessalonians 4:4 , &. c. holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 . Compare "hallowed", 1 Samuel 21:4 .

yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel = and the more so, when to-day [there are other loaves] to be hallowed in respect of their vessels,

Verse 6

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 7

detained , &c. Probably from some ceremonial reason. Compare "shut up "(Jeremiah 36:5 ), or a "vow "(Acts 21:23-27 ), or "uncleanness" (Leviticus 13:4 , Leviticus 13:11 , Leviticus 13:21 ).

Verse 9

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 10

for fear of Saul = from the face of Saul.

Verse 11

Is not this . Compare 1 Samuel 18:7 and 1 Samuel 29:5 .

did they not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Compare 1 Samuel 18:7 and 1 Samuel 29:5 .

Verse 12

Achish. See subscription of Psalms 55:0 (Comp. Bible). (Not superscription of Psalms 56:0 as in Authorized Version)

[ Conversion Note ]

Subscription of Psalms 55:0 reads: To the chief Musician ° upon ° Jonath-elem-rechokim.

Psalms 34:1 contains a reference to Achish (referenced in the original text below), and the author may have intended to reference it instead.

Verse 13

changed, &c. See Psalms 34:1

scrabbled on. Septuagint reads "struck against".

Verse 14

Lo . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

him = the man (1 Samuel 21:7 ).

Verse 15

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