I Samuel 21
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Then came David to Nob - There were two places of this name, one on this side, the second on the other side of Jordan; but it is generally supposed that Nob, near Gibeah of Benjamin, is the place here intended; it was about twelve miles from Jerusalem. Why art thou alone - Ahimelech probably knew nothing of the difference between Saul and David; and as he knew him to be the king's son-in-law, he wondered to see him come without any attendants.
Open source ↗DAVID, AT NOB, OBTAINS OF AHIMELECH HALLOWED BREAD. (Sa1 21:1-7) Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech--Nob, a city of the priests (Sa1 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 Sa1 14:3, with Sa1 22:4-11, Sa1 22:20). 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.
Open source ↗Then came David to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest,.... The high priest, as Abarbinel rightly calls him; he was the brother of Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, who being dead he succeeded him; though some say (a) he was the same; see Sa1 14:3; who was now at Nob, the tabernacle being there, whither probably it was removed by Saul, and where and at Gibeon, according to the Jews (b), it continued fifty seven years; as in the times of Joshua it was in Shiloh, in the tribe of Ephraim, of which tribe he was; and in the times of David it was placed in the tribe of Judah, to which he belonged; so in the times of Saul it was in Nob, a city of his tribe, twelve miles from Gibeah, according to Bunting (c); for that it was in the tribe of Benjamin appears by its being mentioned along with Anathoth, Neh 11:32; and according to Jarchi and Kimchi (d) it was near Jerusalem, and so near that it might be seen from thence; some say they are the same (e); Jerom (f) speaks of it as near Diospolis or Lydda. David, before he departed further off, was willing to see the tabernacle once more, and there worship his God, and inquire of him by the high priest, as he did, Sa1 22:10; to direct him what way he should take, and that he would prosper and succeed him in it, grant him his presence, and keep him in safety: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David; hearing that he was come or coming, he went out to meet him, but when he saw him alone he trembled; especially if he had heard of his having fallen under the displeasure of Saul, and that he now fled from him, therefore he might fear that he should fall into disgrace and danger should he entertain him: and he said unto him, why art thou alone, and no man with thee? he might well wonder at it, and put such a question, seeing he was so great a man…
Open source ↗Sa1 21:1-2 David at Nob. - The town of Nob or Nobeh (unless indeed the form נבה stands for נבה here and in Sa1 22:9, and the ה attached is merely ה local, as the name is always written נב in other places: vid., Sa1 22:11, Sa1 22:19; Sa1 21:1; Isa 10:32; Neh 11:32) was at that time a priests' city (Sa1 22:19), in which, according to the following account, the tabernacle was then standing, and the legal worship carried on. According to Isa 10:30, Isa 10:32, it was between Anathoth (Anata) and Jerusalem, and in all probability it has been preserved in the village of el-Isawiyeh, i.e., probably the village of Esau or Edom, which is midway between Anata and Jerusalem, an hour from the latter, and the same distance to the south-east of Gibeah of Saul (Tell el Phul), and which bears all the marks of an ancient place, partly in its dwellings, the stones of which date from a great antiquity, and partly in many marble columns which are found there (vid., Tobler, Topogr. v. Jerusalem ii. p. 720). Hence v. Raumer (Pal. p. 215, ed. 4) follows Kiepert in the map which he has appended to Robinson's Biblical Researches, and set down this place as the ancient Nob, for which Robinson indeed searched in vain (see Pal. ii. p. 150). Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, most probably the same person as Ahiah (Sa1 14:3), was "the priest," i.e., the high priest (see at Sa1 14:3). When David came to him, the priest "went trembling to meet him" (לקראת יחרד) with the inquiry, "Why art thou alone, and no one is with thee?" The unexpected appearance of David, the son-in-law of the king, without any attendants, alarmed Ahimelech, who probably imagined that he had come with a commission from the king which might involve him in danger. David had left the few servants who accompanied him in his flight somewhe…
Open source ↗Here, I. David, in distress, flies in the tabernacle of God, now pitched at Nob, supposed to be a city in the tribe of Benjamin. Since Shiloh was forsaken, the tabernacle was often removed, though the ark still remained at Kirjath-jearim. Hither David came in his flight from Saul's fury (Sa1 21:1), and applied to Ahimelech the priest. Samuel the prophet could not protect him, Jonathan the prince could not. He therefore has recourse next to Ahimelech the priest. He foresees he must now be an exile, and therefore comes to the tabernacle, 1. To take an affecting leave of it, for he knows not when he shall see it again, and nothing will be more afflictive to him in his banishment than his distance from the house of God, and his restraint from public ordinances, as appears by many of his psalms. He had given an affectionate farewell to his friend Jonathan, and cannot go till he has given the like to the tabernacle. 2. To enquire of the Lord there, and to beg direction from him in the way both of duty and safety, his case being difficult and dangerous. That this was his business appears Sa1 22:10, where it is said that Ahimelech enquired of the Lord for him, as he had done formerly, Sa1 21:15. It is a great comfort to us in a day of trouble that we have a God to go to, to whom we may open our case, and from whom we may ask and expect direction. II. Ahimelech the priest is surprised to see him in so poor an equipage; having heard that he had fallen into disgrace at court, he looked shy upon him, as most are apt to do upon their friends when the world frowns upon them. He was afraid of incurring Saul's displeasure by entertaining him, and took notice how mean a figure he now made to what he used to make: Why art thou alone? He had some with him (as appears Mar 2:26), but they w…
Open source ↗21:1 Nob was just north of Jerusalem, in the southern part of the territory of Benjamin. • Ahimelech the priest was a descendant of the condemned family of Eli (14:3; 22:9). • The elders of Bethlehem had also trembled when Samuel unexpectedly came to their city to anoint David as Saul’s replacement (16:4). On both occasions, a prominent individual who had strained relations with Saul showed up unannounced. Both Ahimelech and the Bethlehem elders were concerned about being suspected of supporting an enemy of the king, which could result in death. In this case, what was feared came about (see 22:9-19).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נֹב (Nôb, H5011) — Nob, a place in Palestine אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מְאוּמָה (mᵉʼûwmâh, H3972) — properly, a speck or point, i.e. (by implication) something; with negative, nothing שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… פְּלֹנִי (pᵉlônîy, H6423) — such a one, i.e. a specified person אַלְמֹנִי (ʼalmônîy, H492) — some one (i.e. so and so, without giving the name of the person or place)
Open source ↗יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or…
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חֹל (chôl, H2455) — properly, exposed; hence, profane לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… אַךְ (ʼak, H389) — a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִם (ʼim, H518) — used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman עָצָר (ʻâtsâr, H6113) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble שִׁלְשׁוֹם (shilshôwm, H8032) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday תְּמוֹל (tᵉmôwl, H8543) — properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… חֹם (chôm, H2527) — heat יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עָצָר (ʻâtsâr, H6113) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… דֹּאֵג (Dôʼêg, H1673) — Doeg, an Edomite אֱדֹמִי (ʼĔdômîy, H130) — an Edomite, or descendants from (or inhabitants of) Edom אַבִּיר (ʼabbîyr, H47) — {mighty (spoken of God)} רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אִין (ʼîyn, H371) — is it not? יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or… נָחַץ (nâchats, H5169) — to be urgent
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… גׇּלְיַת (Golyath, H1555) — Goljath, a Philistine פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression) אֵלָה (ʼÊlâh, H425) — Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine לוּט (lûwṭ, H3874) — to wrap up שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, H8071) — a dress, especially a mantle אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בָּרַח (bârach, H1272) — to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֲכִישׁ (ʼĂkîysh, H397) — Akish, a Philistine king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king גַּת (Gath, H1661) — Gath, a Philistine city
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אֲכִישׁ (ʼĂkîysh, H397) — Akish, a Philistine king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… זֶה (zeh, H2088) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that מְחֹלָה (mᵉchôlâh, H4246) — a dance שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… רְבָבָה (rᵉbâbâh, H7233) — abundance (in number), i.e. (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֲכִישׁ (ʼĂkîysh, H397) — Akish, a Philistine king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king גַּת (Gath, H1661) — Gath, a Philistine city
Open source ↗שָׁנָה (shânâh, H8138) — to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute… טַעַם (ṭaʻam, H2940) — properly, a taste, i.e. (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence;… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), תָּוָה (tâvâh, H8427) — to mark out, i.e. (primitive) scratch or (definite) imprint דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate רִיר (rîyr, H7388) — saliva; by resemblance, broth יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… זָקָן (zâqân, H2206) — the beard (as indicating age)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲכִישׁ (ʼĂkîysh, H397) — Akish, a Philistine king עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שָׁגַע (shâgaʻ, H7696) — to rave through insanity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”
Yet today they will halt at Nob, shaking a fist at the mount of Daughter Zion, at the hill of Jerusalem.
including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.
So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?”