1Sa 21:1-7, 22:9-23 | Clarke | e4.org | CHAPTER XXI David comes to Ahimelech at Nob, receives provisions from him, and the sword of Goliath; and is noticed by Doeg, one of the servants of Saul , 1-9. He leaves Nob, and goes to Achish, king of Gath , 10. But on being recognised as the vanquisher of Goliath by the servants of Achish, he feigns himself deranged, and Achish sends him away , 11-15. NOTES ON CHAP. XXI Verse 1. Then came David to Nob ] There were two places of this name, one on this side, the second on the other side of Jordan; but it is generally supposed that Nob, near Gibeah of Benjamin, is the place here intended; it was about twelve miles from Jerusalem. Why art thou alone ] Ahimelech probably knew nothing of the difference between Saul and David; and as he knew him to be the king's son-in-law, he wondered to see him come without any attendants.

‏ 1 Samuel 21:1-7

CHAPTER XXI

David comes to Ahimelech at Nob, receives provisions from him, and the sword of Goliath; and is noticed by Doeg, one of the servants of Saul, 1-9.

He leaves Nob, and goes to Achish, king of Gath, 10.

But on being recognised as the vanquisher of Goliath by the servants of Achish, he feigns himself deranged, and Achish sends him away, 11-15.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXI

Verse 1. Then came David to Nob] There were two places of this name, one on this side, the second on the other side of Jordan; but it is generally supposed that Nob, near Gibeah of Benjamin, is the place here intended; it was about twelve miles from Jerusalem.

Why art thou alone] Ahimelech probably knew nothing of the difference between Saul and David; and as he knew him to be the king's son-in-law, he wondered to see him come without any attendants.

Verse 2. The king hath commanded me a business] All said here is an untruth, and could not be dictated by the Spirit of the Lord; but there is no reason to believe that David was under the influence of Divine inspiration at this time. It is well known that from all antiquity it was held no crime to tell a lie, in order to save life. Thus Diphilus:-

υπολαμβανωτοψευδοςεπισωτηρια

λεγομενονουδενπεριποιεισθαιδυσχερες

"I hold it right to tell a lie, in order to procure my personal safety; nothing should be avoided in order to save life."

A heathen may say or sing thus; but no Christian can act thus, and save his soul, though he by doing so may save his life.

Verse 6. So the priest gave him hallowed bread] To this history our Lord alludes, Mr 2:25, in order to show that in cases of absolute necessity a breach of the ritual law was no sin. It was lawful for the priests only to eat the shew-bread; but David and his companions were starving, no other bread could be had at the time, and therefore he and his companions ate of it without sin.

Verse 7. Detained before the Lord] Probably fulfilling some vow to the Lord, and therefore for a time resident at the tabernacle.

And his name was Doeg] From 1Sa 22:9 we learn that this man betrayed David's secret to Saul, which caused him to destroy the city, and slay eighty-five priests. We learn from its title that the fifty-second Psalm was made on this occasion; but titles are not to be implicitly trusted.

‏ 1 Samuel 22:9-23

Verse 9. Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul] In 1Sa 21:7 he is said to be the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul, and the Septuagint intimate that he was over the mules of Saul. Probably he was what we call the king's equery or groom.

Verse 10. And he inquired of the Lord for him] This circumstance is not related in history; but it is probably true, as David would most naturally wish to know where to direct his steps in this very important crisis.

Verse 14. And who is so faithful] The word neeman, which we here translate faithful, is probably the name of an officer. See Clarke on Nu 12:7.

Verse 15. Did I then begin to inquire of God] He probably means that his inquiring now for David was no new thing, having often done so before, and without ever being informed it was either wrong in itself, or displeasing to the king. Nor is it likely that Ahimelech knew of any disagreement between Saul and David. He knew him to be the king's son-in-law, and he treated him as such.

Verse 17. But the servants of the king would not] They dared to disobey the commands of the king in a case of such injustice, inhumanity, and irreligion.

Verse 18. And Doeg-fell upon the priests] A ruthless Edomite, capable of any species of iniquity.

Fourscore and five persons] The Septuagint read τριακοσιουςκαι πεντεανδρας, three hundred and five men; and Josephus has three hundred and eighty-five men. Probably the eighty-five were priests; the three hundred, the families of the priests; three hundred and eighty-five being the whole population of Nob.

That did wear a linen ephod.] That is, persons who did actually administer, or had a right to administer, in sacred things. The linen ephod was the ordinary clothing of the priests.

Verse 19. And Nob-smote he with the edge of the sword] This is one of the worst acts in the life of Saul; his malice was implacable, and his wrath was cruel, and there is no motive of justice or policy by which such a barbarous act can be justified.

Verse 20. Abiathar, escaped] This man carried with him his sacerdotal garments, as we find from 1Sa 23:6, 9.

Verse 22. I knew it that day] When I saw Doeg there, I suspected he would make the matter known to Saul.

I have occasioned the death of all the persons] I have been the innocent cause of their destruction.

Verse 23. He that seeketh my life seeketh thy life] The enmity of Saul is directed against thee as well as against me, and thou canst have no safety but in being closely attached to me; and I will defend thee even at the risk of my own life. This he was bound in duty and conscience to do.