1 Samuel 21:1-9. David's visit to Nob 1. _to Nob_ Nob was at this time a city of the priests (1 Samuel 22:19), though it is not specified among the places assigned to them by Joshua: here, as is clearly to be inferred from 1 Samuel 21:6, the Tabernacle, which has not been mentioned since the death o... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king_, &c. Again David has, recourse to a lie. See 1 Samuel 20:6, and note on 1 Samuel 19:17. The consequences of it were disastrous. my _servants_ THE YOUNG MEN, as in 1 Samuel 21:4. The words are David's own, not the continuation of Saul's directions. They were probably true. He must have ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_common_ Lit. profane or unholy, i.e. unconsecrated. Vulg. "laicos panes.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the vessels_ The wallets or other utensils into which the bread would be put. If these were Levitically unclean they would defile the bread. David assures Ahimelech that there is no ceremonial objection to their taking the bread either in their persons or their baggage. _and the bread_, &c. The fur... [ Continue Reading ]
_the shewbread_ Lit. "the bread of the Presence" (Sept. ἄρτοι τοῦ προσώπου), so called because it was solemnly placed as an offering in the Presence of Jehovah. The mention of it implies that the Tabernacle with its furniture was at Nob. The directions for making the Table of Shewbread are given in... [ Continue Reading ]
_detained before the Lord_ In charge of the priest for some religious purpose such as the fulfilment of a vow, or purification, or on account of suspected leprosy (Leviticus 13:4; Leviticus 13:11; Leviticus 13:31). His presence in the Tabernacle implies that he was a proselyte. _Doeg, an Edomite_ H... [ Continue Reading ]
_behind the ephod_ Hung up in a secure place, behind the most sacred part of the high-priestly vestments. It was probably dedicated as a memorial of the victory on the conclusion of the Philistine war. See 1 Samuel 17:54. _There is none like that_ The monument of God's deliverance in the past was a... [ Continue Reading ]
David's flight to Gath 10. _and went to Achish_ In the extremity of peril, David was driven to take refuge among Saul's bitterest enemies, and offer himself as a servant to Achish (1 Samuel 21:15). He hoped no doubt that the Philistines would not recognise the stripling who slew their champion. Unl... [ Continue Reading ]
_the king of the land_ The natural exaggeration of popular rumour. David had appeared as chief leader in the Philistine wars. _did they not sing_, &c. DO THEY NOT SING. It had become a popular song. See on 1 Samuel 18:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_changed his behaviour_ Psalms 34. is ascribed by its title to this occasion, but the contents do not bear out the reference. The title of Psalms 56. states that it was written by David "when the Philistines laid hold on him in Gath," and though it is not expressly said here that he was arrested, th... [ Continue Reading ]
_come into my house_ Be taken into my service. Cp. Psalms 101:7.... [ Continue Reading ]