1 Samuel 21:5

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 further argument which David employs to Persuade Ahimelech is stated in a sentence of almost hopeless obscurity. Perhaps either (1) "And when I came out the vessels of the young men were holy; how much more then, though it is a common journey, will it be holy in the vessel to-day:" i.e. the vessels were undefiled when we started, and though our journey has no religions object, yet as there has been no danger of pollution since, a fortiorithey cannot defile bread put in them to-day: or (2) "And if it is a profane procedure, yet It will be sanctified to-day by the instrument:" i.e. if the act is profane, the priest by whose instrumentality it is done, has power to sanction it under the exceptional circumstances of to-day: a gentle flattery to persuade Ahimelech.