1 Samuel 21:5

And David answered the priest and said unto him, of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, the time since they had started on this expedition, since I came out, and the vessels, the gear and baggage of the soldiers, which might also become Levitically unclean, Leviticus 11:32; Leviticus 13:47, of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel, literally, "Though it is a profane way or procedure, yet it is sanctified today by the vessel," namely, by David himself as a chosen, anointed servant of the Lord; that fact set aside the ceremonial impurity of the act, particularly since it was a work of mercy which the high priest performed.