1 Samuel 21

1 Samuel 21:1

TO Nob] A citie neer Anathoth in the tribe of Benjamin, 1 Kings 2:26. Nehemiah 11:32. unto which (as it seemeth) Saul had caused the tabernacle to be removed from Shiloh, because it was in his own tribe, as before Joshua an Ephramite had placed it in Shiloh a city of Ephraim; and after David in Jerusalem being of the tribe of Judah, that he might have Gods oracles neer him. And this was the cause, why at this time, there were so many priests in Nob, Chap. 22. 18.

was afraid] Suspecting that some sinister accident had befaln him, knowing that he was in Sauls displeasure, Chap. 16. 4.

alone] Or with so small a retinue as did not befit his place. For it appeareth that David had some company with him, vers. 4. Matth. 12. 3, 4. unlesse we will say (as it is very probable,) That David had appointed his company to stay i some place for him, till he returned, as he saith, vers. 2. and himself went alone to the high priest.

1 Samuel 21:2

The king] Through humane frailty, David speaketh this untruth, to dissemble the true cause of his flight.

to such] Hebr. pelni, almni. See Rth 4:1.

1 Samuel 21:3

under thy hand] In thy present custody, and at thy disposing, ready to be eaten.

present] Heb. found.

1 Samuel 21:4

but hallowed] That is, shew-bread which was set before the LORD, and so hallowed unto him; of which none but the priests might eat, unlesse in the case of necessity and charitie, which dispence with ceremonies, Exodus 25:30. Levit. 24. 5, 9. Matth. 12. 4, 7.

from women] That is, their wives. See Exodus 19:15. 1 Corinthians 7:5. And if so, then I will give it them.

1 Samuel 21:5

three dayes] All which time we have been in our journey, and therefore absent from our wives.

the vessels] That is, the bodies. So Acts 9:15. 1 Thessal. 4. 4.

in a manner common] That is, the sabbath, neer approaching, Leviticus 24:8. seeing it is no longer as shew-bread, to stand before the LORD, but to be changed, and new put in the place; and though the old be the portion of the priest, yet others in case of necessity may eat of it, Luke 6:3.

yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessell] Or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessell.

1 Samuel 21:7

detained] Either to keep the sabbath approaching, or to pay his vows, or to perform some other service, or some other occasion

an Edomite] That is, by nation, but a proselyte by profession of the Jewish religion.

1 Samuel 21:9

the valley of Elah] Chap. 17. 2.

behinde the ephod] Laid up by the ephod in the tabernacle. Others read it thus, After that Abimelech had put on the phod to ask counsell of God. See Chap. 22. 10, 13, 15. The like phrase is used, Gen. 24 67. Deuteronomy 24:20-21.

1 Samuel 21:10

to Achish] This was his proper name, but he is called Abimelech, Psalms 34:1. which was a common name to all the Philistine kings. See Gen. 20. 21, 26.

Gath] One of the five chief cities of the Philistines. See 1 Sam. 5. 8.

1 Samuel 21:11

the king] That is, the famous and chief warriour, and (as it were) another king in the esteem of the people.

Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?] Cha. 18. 7. and 29. 5. Ecclesiastes 47:6.

1 Samuel 21:12

laid up] That is, seriously weighed, and thought on them, Luk. . 19, 51.

1 Samuel 21:13

his behaviour] Hebr. his taste; That is, his gesture, words, and all his carriage, whereby may be discerned whither a man be wise or foolish, mad, or in his right wits; as the taste discerneth of meats, whither they be savoury or unsavoury, Job 12:11. and Job 34:3.

in their hands] That is, whilest he was in their power, who were ready to carry him before their king, Psalms 34:1. and Psalms 56:1.

scrabbled] Or, made marks; That is, used the postures, gestures and absurd actions of a mad man.

1 Samuel 21:14

is mad] Or, playeth the mad-man.

1 Samuel 21:15

come into] That is, is he fit to come into a kings house, q. d. He is most unfit; and therefore send him away.