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1 Samuel 21:1–9

So David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you’ ” (v. 2a).

David, fleeing from the murderous King Saul, now enters into life as a fugitive, an outlaw. The author of 1 Samuel recounts this period of David’s life in great detail, showing us his struggle to trust God as his ascension to the throne looks ever more unlikely. As we witness David in moments of doubt and of faith, we will learn much to help us walk properly through God’s difficult providences.

As David flees, he passes through Nob, slightly northeast of Jerusalem. Nob has become the chief city of the priests since Shiloh was overrun (2:32; 22:19). David seeks out the chief priest, Ahimelech, a great-grandson of Eli (14:3; 22:9), whose priestly line is under judgment. The priest is surprised to see David alone, for he customarily travels with troops and retinues. He is also afraid, suggesting he suspects David is in disfavor. Perhaps this nervousness prompts David’s next actions. Despite the fact that God clearly has delivered him from danger several times, he relies on his own wits to mask his fugitive status and get what he needs from Ahimelech. He claims to be on a hastily arranged secret mission for Saul, and says he will rendezvous with his men later. In his panic, David forgets to put his faith in God.

David asks Ahimelech for bread, and the priest replies that he has only “holy bread”—consecrated loaves that are set in the Holy Place of the tabernacle (Lev. 24:5–9) to remind Israel of its dependence on God. New bread is set out each Sabbath, and the old then can be eaten by the priests. Ahimelech is willing to give this bread to David—if his men are not ceremonially unclean (Ex. 19:15; Lev. 15:18). David assures the priest that the men are pure (another lie?) and receives the bread. He also asks for a sword or spear, and is told that he is welcome to take the sword of Goliath, which is kept at Nob as a memorial. Provisioned and armed, David then resumes his quest to escape from Saul. But we learn in 22:10 that Ahimelech also ” ‘inquired of the Lord’ ” for him. Thus, it may be that David went to Nob not in blind flight but intentionally, that he might receive divine guidance.

Unfortunately, a certain Doeg, chief of Saul’s herdsmen, is “detained before the Lord” (engaged in some religious exercise) at Nob, and he overhears David’s exchange with Ahimelech. His report will bring calamitous results in the near future.

Coram Deo Living before the face of God

Justly are troubles called temptations, for many are by them drawn into sin, Matthew Henry writes. Is this true in your life? In trials, do you fall back on your own abilities and resources, and even contemplate solutions that involve sin? Or do you look to God in faith? Pray that trials willrefine you, not cause you to stumble.


For Further Study
  • Job 23:10
  • Rom. 5:3–5
  • 2 Cor. 5:7
  • James 1:3

    The Existence and Attributes of God

    The “Madness” of Exile

    Keep Reading "According to Our Likeness:" God's Communicable Attributes

    From the June 2003 Issue
    Jun 2003 Issue