# 1 Samuel 21 š: David at Nob and Gath
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]]Ā (21:2) David went to Ahimelech the priest in Nob. Ahimelech was shaking with fear when he metDavid, and said to him, āWhy are you by yourself with no one accompanying you?āĀ
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā David replied to Ahimelech the priest, āThe king instructed me to do something, but he said to me, āDonāt let anyone know the reason I am sending you or the instructions I have given you.āĀ I have told my soldiersĀ to wait at a certain place.Ā
[[#Verse 03.]] Now what do you have at your disposal?Ā Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.ā
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā The priest replied to David, āI donāt have any ordinary bread at my disposal. Only holy bread is available, and then only if your soldiersĀ have abstained from relations with women.āĀ
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā David said to the priest, āCertainly women have been kept away from us, just as on previous occasions when I have set out. The soldiersāĀ equipmentĀ is holy, even on an ordinary journey. How much more so will they be holy today, along with their equipment!ā
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā So the priest gave him holy bread, for there was no bread there other than the Bread of the Presence. It had been removed from before theĀ LordĀ in order to replace it with hot bread on the day it had been taken away.Ā
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā (One of Saulās servants was there that day, detained before theĀ Lord. His name was Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saulās shepherds.)
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā David said to Ahimelech, āIs there no sword or spear here at your disposal? I donāt have my own sword or equipment in hand due to the urgency of the kingās instructions.ā
### David Goes to Gath
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā The priest replied, āThe sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the valley of Elah, is wrapped in a garment behind the ephod. If you wish, take it for yourself. Other than that one, thereās no sword here.ā David said, āThereās nothing like it. Give it to me.āĀ
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā So on that day David arose and fled from Saul. He went to King Achish of Gath.Ā
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā The servants of Achish said to him, āIsnāt this David, the king of the land? Isnāt he the one that they sing about when they dance, saying,
āSaul struck down his thousands, but David his tens of thousandsā?ā
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā David thought about what they saidĀ and was very afraid of King Achish of Gath.Ā
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā He altered his behavior in their presence.Ā Since he was in their power,Ā he pretended to be insane, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting his saliva run down his beard.
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā Achish said to his servants, āLook at this madman! Why did you bring him to me?Ā
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā Do I have a shortage of fools so that you have brought me this man to display his insanity in front of me? Should this man enter my house?ā
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Nob was a city of priests (22:19) a short distance from Jerusalem.
2. Ahimelech trembled when he met David (21:1), perhaps sensing something was wrong.
3. The bread of the Presence was twelve loaves placed before the Lord each Sabbath, normally eaten only by the priests (Leviticus 24:5-9).
4. Jesus used this event to teach that God's law was meant to serve human need (Mark 2:25-27).
5. Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief shepherd, was at Nob that day (21:7). He would later betray the priests (22:9-10).
6. Goliath's sword was kept wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod (21:9).
7. Achish was the king of Gath (21:10), Goliath's hometown.
8. The Philistines quoted the song about Saul's thousands and David's tens of thousands (21:11).
9. David acted insane, scribbling on the doors and letting saliva run down his beard (21:13).
10. The headings of Psalm 34 and Psalm 56 connect those psalms to this time when David was among the Philistines.
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the true Bread of Life and the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus pointed to David eating the holy bread (21:6) to show that He Himself is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:25-28), and He gives Himself as bread for the world (John 6:35).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. David was not honest with Ahimelech (21:2). What were the results of that choice later (22:22)?
2. The priest gave David the holy bread to meet his need (21:6). What did Jesus teach from this story (Mark 2:25-28)?
3. David pretended to be insane in Gath (21:13). What does fear lead us to do, and what did David later write about it in Psalm 34?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 6: The priest gives David the holy bread, the bread of the Presence.
- š verse 9: The sword of Goliath is given to David.
- š verse 12: David takes the words of Achish to heart and is very afraid.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[Leviticus 24#Verse 05.|Leviticus 24:5-9]] - The bread of the Presence.
- š [[Mark 02#Verse 23.|Mark 2:23-28]] - Jesus teaches from David's eating of the holy bread.
- š [[Psalm 34#Verse 01.|Psalm 34:1-7]] - I sought the Lord, and He delivered me from all my fears.
- š [[Psalm 56#Verse 03.|Psalm 56:3-4]] - When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
- š [[John 06#Verse 35.|John 6:35]] - I am the bread of life.
## š Devotional Reflection
š SOAP: [[1 Samuel 21 - SOAP|Stay Focused]]
## š Internal Notes