1 Samuel 21 - Printer Friendly

What does 1 Samuel 21 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

When David defeated Goliath, he did so for God's honor and with God's power (1 Samuel 17:45–46). Saul realized his court musician was a mighty warrior and gave him command over troops. But as David's military victories grew, so did the king's fear that David would take his crown. With the help of Saul's own son and daughter, David escaped (1 Samuel 19).

This chapter begins David's long season of running from King Saul. His first stop is at the priestly city of Nob, where the tabernacle to the Lord is now being kept (Exodus 25:8–9). Nob was a few miles south of Gibeah and just north of Jerusalem. Ahimelech, the chief priest over the tabernacle, trembles in fear when David arrives alone and without provisions. David lies, saying that he's on a secret military mission from King Saul and on his way to meet up with his men. The news has not yet spread that Saul is trying to kill David (1 Samuel 21:1–2).

David asks Ahimelech to give him some bread. Ahimelech only has the bread placed on the table of the Presence before the Lord to acknowledge God's provision for Israel (Exodus 25:23–30). The holy bread is meant only for the priests (Leviticus 24:5–9). Sensing that this is an emergency, Ahimelech decides to allow David to take the bread for him and his men. The only stipulation is that they are ceremonially clean, making them fit for temple activities (Leviticus 15:18). David insists that neither he nor his men have been with a woman because of their important military mission for the king (1 Samuel 21:3–6).

In a bit of foreshadowing, the text mentions that someone sees this exchange. Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief shepherd, happens to be at the tabernacle. He is "detained" before the Lord in some way, perhaps waiting for something from the priests or from the Lord on Saul's behalf. Later, Doeg will inform Saul (1 Samuel 22:9–10) and murder scores of priests (1 Samuel 22:18). David records a response to this (Psalm 52) in one of his Psalms (1 Samuel 21:7).

Next, David asks Ahimelech if he has any weapons. David adds to his lie, saying that the king's secret mission required him to leave too quickly to bring his own weapons with him. The only weapon the priest has is the sword of Goliath. This is the same used by David himself to kill the Philistine champion (1 Samuel 17:51). David gladly takes the weapon (1 Samuel 21:8–9).

David soon leaves Nob and heads in a surprising direction. Since Saul has made him an enemy of the state, David runs to a city of Israel's enemy to seek refuge from Saul. He travels from Nob to Gath, the nearest of the five major cities of the Philistines, where Achish is king. David realizes his mistake in thinking his enemy would take him in. In another act of clever deception, David acts as if he's insane. In that era, it was considered bad luck to interfere with such persons. Achish dismisses him (1 Samuel 21:10–15).

Homeless and alone, David retreats to the cave of Adullam. Soon, he's joined by his brothers and his father's house. Needy people from throughout the region come, as well. David hides his parents away with the king of Moab and takes his new army into the forest (1 Samuel 22:1–5).

First Samuel 21:1–9 describes David's first stop when running for his life from King Saul. Arriving at the priestly city of Nob, David tells the chief priest he's on a secret mission and asks for supplies. The priest gives David holy bread and the sword of Goliath. Unfortunately, one of Saul's servants witnessed the conversation (1 Samuel 22:9–10). David then goes to Philistine city and acts like a madman when he realizes what a foolish choice he made (1 Samuel 21:10–15).

First Samuel 21:10–15 describes David's attempt to find refuge from King Saul with Achish, the king of the Philistine city of Gath. Achish's servants quickly recognize David as their greatest foe. David realizes the king may kill him and acts as if he's out of his mind to prove he's not a threat. On his own, David finds shelter in the cave of Adullam. When his family hears, they join him, as do four hundred men and their families (1 Samuel 22:1–5).

Chapter Summary:

In 1 Samuel 21, David runs from King Saul to the city of Nob. There, he convinces the priest Ahimelech into providing bread and weapons for David and his non-existent soldiers. Ahimelech gives David holy bread and allows David to take the sword of Goliath kept in the tabernacle (1 Samuel 17:51). David flees to Gath to seek refuge with the Philistines. When the king's men recognize him, though, David pretends to be out of his mind to convince Achish that he isn't the champion of Israel, after all.

Chapter Context:

First 1 Samuel 21 sets David up as a paramilitary commander. Jonathan has admitted his father's murderous hatred of David. Jonathan and David part after confirming their covenant of friendship (1 Samuel 20). David runs to the priest Ahimelech and tricks him into providing food and a sword. David then recklessly seeks shelter from a Philistine king and only escapes by acting insane. Alone, David goes to a cave where he's quickly joined by his family and 400 men with their families. After hiding his parents away in Moab, David starts building his army (1 Samuel 22:1–5).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

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