Keraia
1 Samuel 21

1 Samuel 21:1

David Takes the Consecrated Bread · 1 Samuel 21:1–7
Read 1 Samuel 21

Translations

Modern
Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?”
Traditional
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
Literal
And David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest, and Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and he said to him, “Why are you alone, and no man is with you?”
Latin
Venit autem David in Nobe ad Achimelech sacerdotem: et obstupuit Achimelech, eo quod venisset David. Et dixit ei: Quare tu solus, et nullus est tecum?

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?”

Notes

1 Samuel 21:1

  • Nob was just north of Jerusalem, in southern Benjamin's territory.

  • Ahimelech the priest was a descendant of the condemned family of Eli (1 Samuel 14:3; 22:9).

  • The elders of Bethlehem were afraid when Samuel suddenly came to their city to anoint David as Saul’s replacement (1 Samuel 16:4). A similar fear appears here. In both situations, a well-known person who had problems with Saul arrived without warning. Both Ahimelech and the elders of Bethlehem feared that Saul might accuse them of helping an enemy of the king. Such suspicion could lead to death. In this case, what they feared did happen (see 1 Samuel 22:9–19).

Theme notes and profiles

David Saul Violation of the Sacred

Events

Parallels

Matthew 12:1–8 Mark 2:23–28 Luke 6:1–5

People

Ahimelech: High Priest at Nob who helped David, killed by Saul David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Places

Nob: A city of priests near Jerusalem

Glossary

Abiathar Ahijah Ahimelech Bread of the Presence David Doeg Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Ahimelech: Gives Shewbread and the Sword of Goliath to David Betrayal of David, by Doeg Confidence: Betrayed: Ahimelech, by David David: King of Israel: Escapes by Way of Nob, where he Obtains Shewbread and Goliath's Sword from Abimelech Falsehood: David Lied to Ahimelech Nob: The Home of Ahimelech, the Priest Tabernacle was Set up in Nob Tabernacle: Pitched: At Nob