Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 21

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 21:1, David at Nob obtains of Ahimelech hallowed bread; 1 Samuel 21:7, Doeg is present; 1 Samuel 21:8, David takes Goliath’s sword; 1 Samuel 21:10, David at Gath feigns himself mad.

Verse 1

Nob: Nob appears to have been a sacerdotal city of Benjamin or Ephraim. Jerome says, that in his time the ruins of it might be seen not far from Diospolis or Lydda. But the Rabbins assert that Jerusalem might be seen from this town. The tabernacle resided some time at Nob; and after it was destroyed, it was removed to Gibeon; "and the day of Nob and Gibeon were fifty-seven years." Maimonides in Bethhabbechirah, c. 1. 1 Samuel 22:19, Nehemiah 11:32, Isaiah 10:32

to Ahimelech: 1 Samuel 14:3, called Ahiah, 1 Samuel 22:9-19, called also Abiathar, Mark 2:26

afraid: 1 Samuel 16:4

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:22 - I have occasioned 1 Chronicles 24:3 - Ahimelech Ezekiel 25:15 - to destroy

Verse 2

The king: The whole of this is a gross falsehood; and which was attended with the most fatal consequences. It is well known that from all antiquity it was held no crime to tell a lie in order to save life. Thus Diphilon נןכבלגבםש פן רוץהבע וני ףשפחסיב כודןלוםןם, ןץהום נוסינןיויףטבי הץףקוסוע. "I hold it right to tell a lie for safety: nothing should be avoided to save life." A heathen may say or sing thus, but no Christian can act thus and save his soul, though he may save his life. 1 Samuel 19:17, 1 Samuel 22:22, Genesis 27:20, Genesis 27:24, 1 Kings 13:18, Psalms 119:29, Galatians 2:12, Colossians 3:9

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:19 - General Judges 16:7 - If they bind 1 Samuel 22:14 - goeth 1 Samuel 27:10 - And David 2 Samuel 17:20 - They be gone

Verse 3

under thine: 1 Samuel 21:4, Judges 9:29, Isaiah 3:6

present: Heb. found

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:15 - Give us bread Judges 16:7 - If they bind Matthew 12:3 - what Mark 2:25 - what Luke 6:3 - what

Verse 4

hallowed bread: 1 Samuel 21:6, Exodus 25:30, Leviticus 24:5-9, Matthew 12:3, Matthew 12:4

if the young: Exodus 19:15, Zechariah 7:3, 1 Corinthians 7:5

Reciprocal: Leviticus 15:18 - unclean 1 Samuel 21:3 - under thine Ecclesiastes 3:5 - a time to embrace

Verse 5

the vessels: Acts 9:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:4, 2 Timothy 2:20, 2 Timothy 2:21, 1 Peter 3:17

in a manner: Leviticus 24:9

though it were sanctified this day in the vessel: or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel. Leviticus 8:26

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:15 - come not Leviticus 15:18 - unclean Leviticus 24:5 - General Ecclesiastes 3:5 - a time to embrace Jeremiah 31:5 - eat 1 Corinthians 7:5 - except

Verse 6

gave him: Matthew 12:3, Matthew 12:4, Mark 2:25-27, Luke 6:3, Luke 6:4

hot bread: Leviticus 24:5-9

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:30 - General Leviticus 22:10 - General Leviticus 24:9 - Aaron's 1 Samuel 21:4 - hallowed bread 1 Samuel 22:10 - him victuals

Verse 7

detained: Jeremiah 7:9-11, Ezekiel 33:31, Amos 8:5, Matthew 15:8, Acts 21:26, Acts 21:27

Doeg: 1 Samuel 22:9, Psalms 52:1, *title

herdmen: 1 Samuel 11:5, Genesis 13:7, Genesis 13:8, Genesis 26:20, 1 Chronicles 27:29, 2 Chronicles 26:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:6 - rulers 1 Samuel 13:12 - I forced Galatians 1:10 - persuade

Verse 8

Reciprocal: Esther 8:14 - being hastened Luke 10:4 - and

Verse 9

The sword: 1 Samuel 17:51-54

the valley: 1 Samuel 17:2, 1 Samuel 17:50

behold: 1 Samuel 31:10

behind: Exodus 28:6-14

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath 1 Samuel 17:54 - took the head 2 Kings 11:10 - king David's spears 1 Chronicles 20:5 - Goliath 2 Chronicles 23:9 - spears Hosea 3:4 - ephod

Verse 10

fled: 1 Samuel 27:1, 1 Kings 19:3, Jeremiah 26:21

Achish: or, Abimelech, 1 Samuel 27:2, Psalms 34:1, *title

Gath: Jerome says there was a large town called Gath, in the way from Eleutheropolis to Gaza; and Eusebius speaks of another Gath, five miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Lydda - and consequently different from that mentioned by Jerome and also of another Gath, between Jamnia and Antipatris. It appears to have been the extreme boundary of the Philistine territory in one direction, as Ekron was on the other - 1 Samuel 7:14, 1 Samuel 17:52, and lay near Mareshah - 2 Chronicles 11:8. Micah 1:14, which agrees pretty well with the position assigned it by Jerome. But Reland and Dr. Wells agree with Eusebius; and the authors of the Universal History - b. i. c. 7 place it about six miles form Jamnia, fourteen south of Joppa, and thirty-two west of Jerusalem.

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath 1 Samuel 21:12 - sore 1 Samuel 22:1 - David 1 Kings 2:39 - Achish Psalms 11:1 - how Psalms 56:3 - General

Verse 11

the servants: Psalms 56:1, *title

the king: 1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 18:7, 1 Samuel 18:8, 1 Samuel 29:5

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 14:8 - And when John 9:8 - Is not

Verse 12

laid up: Psalms 119:11, Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51

sore: 1 Samuel 21:10, Genesis 12:11-13, Genesis 26:7, Psalms 34:4, Psalms 56:3

Verse 13

changed: Psalms 34:1, *title Proverbs 29:25, Ecclesiastes 7:7

scrabbled: or, made marks

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:24 - I am

Verse 14

is mad: or, playeth the madman, Ecclesiastes 7:7

Verse 15

Reciprocal: Psalms 119:161 - Princes