1. venit autem David in Nobe ad Ahimelech sacerdotem et obstipuit Ahimelech eo quod venisset David et dixit ei quare tu solus et nullus est tecum
2. et ait David ad Ahimelech sacerdotem rex præcepit mihi sermonem et dixit nemo sciat rem propter quam a me missus es et cujusmodi tibi præcepta dederim nam et pueris condixi in illum et illum locum
3. nunc igitur si quid habes ad manum vel quinque panes da mihi aut quicquid inveneris
4. et respondens sacerdos David ait ei non habeo panes laicos ad manum sed tantum panem sanctum si mundi sunt pueri maxime a mulieribus
5. et respondit David sacerdoti et dixit ei equidem si de mulieribus agitur continuimus nos ab heri et nudius tertius quando egrediebamur et fuerunt vasa puerorum sancta porro via hæc polluta est sed et ipsa hodie sanctificabitur in vasis
6. dedit ergo ei sacerdos sanctificatum panem neque enim erat ibi panis nisi tantum panes propositionis qui sublati fuerant a facie Domini ut ponerentur panes calidi
7. erat autem ibi vir de servis Saul in die illa intus in tabernaculo Domini et nomen ejus Dœc Idumeus potentissimus pastorum Saul
8. dixit autem David ad Ahimelech si habes hic ad manum hastam aut gladium quia gladium meum et arma mea non tuli mecum sermo enim regis urguebat
9. et dixit sacerdos gladius Goliath Philisthei quem percussisti in valle Terebinthi est involutus pallio post ephod si istum vis tollere tolle neque enim est alius hic absque eo et ait David non est huic alter similis da mihi eum
10. surrexit itaque David et fugit in die illa a facie Saul et venit ad Achis regem Geth
11. dixeruntque ei servi Achis numquid non iste est David rex terræ nonne huic cantabant per choros dicentes percussit Saul mille et David decem milia
12. posuit autem David sermones istos in corde suo et extimuit valde a facie Achis regis Geth
13. et inmutavit os suum coram eis et conlabebatur inter manus eorum et inpingebat in ostia portæ defluebantque salivæ ejus in barbam
14. et ait Achis ad servos suos vidistis hominem insanum quare adduxistis eum ad me
15. an desunt nobis furiosi quod introduxistis istum ut fureret me præsente hicine ingredietur domum meam
Footnotes:
21:1-2 - David seeks refuge in Nob with the priest Ahimelech and lies about being on a mission for the king. This passage highlights David's vulnerability as he flees from Saul and the difficulty of maintaining righteousness in times of great pressure (see also Psalm 34:19 and Proverbs 12:22).
21:3-6 - Ahimelech gives David the showbread, which was intended for the priests. This action demonstrates the flexibility of ceremonial laws in times of need, emphasizing compassion over ritualism (see also Matthew 12:3-4 and Mark 2:25-26).
21:8-9 - David asks for and receives Goliath's sword, which he had kept as a trophy. The sword symbolizes David's past victories and God's continued protection, even in times of uncertainty (see also 1 Samuel 17:50-51 and Psalm 18:32-34).
21:10-12 - David flees to Gath, a Philistine city, but is recognized as the killer of Goliath. This incident reveals David's desperation, seeking refuge even among Israel's enemies (see also 1 Samuel 18:7-9 and Psalm 56:1-2).
21:13-15 - David feigns madness to escape the wrath of Achish, the king of Gath. This cunning strategy demonstrates David's wisdom and survival instinct, which relies on cunning in times of danger (see also Psalm 34:4-6 and Luke 16:8).
Verses related to Liber I Samuelis, 21:
1 Samuel chapter 21 recounts David's escape from Saul. How does David survive in desperate circumstances? This tense text recounts David's visit to the priest Ahimelech in Nob, where he obtains consecrated bread and Goliath's sword. The chapter highlights the conflict between loyalty and survival, showing David resorting to half-truths. It also introduces Doeg the Edomite, whose presence foreshadows future tragedies. Examine with us five biblical passages that illuminate the moral dilemmas and divine providence present in this crucial chapter.
Matthew 12:3-4: "He replied, 'Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the bread of the Presence, which they were not permitted to do, but only the priests.'" - Jesus directly refers to the event in 1 Samuel 21, where David eats the consecrated bread, to illustrate that human need sometimes overrides ceremonial regulations.
Mark 2:25-26: "He answered them, 'Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were needy and hungry? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, ate the bread of the Presence, which only the priests were allowed to eat, and he also gave them to his companions.'" - Another reference to the event in 1 Samuel 21, used by Jesus to defend his disciples when they were accused of breaking the Sabbath.
Psalms 34:1: "From David. When he pretended to be mad before Abimelech, who cast him out, and he went away." - This title of Psalm 34 directly references the events of 1 Samuel 21, where David feigns madness before Achish (also called Abimelech).
Psalms 56:1: "To the music master. To the tune of 'The dove in distant oaks'. From David. Mictão. When the Philistines arrested him in Gath." - The title of this psalm also refers to the events of 1 Samuel 21, when David was in Gath.
Hebrews 9:2-4: "A tabernacle was prepared. In its first part, called the Holy Place, were the candelabrum, the table and the bread of the Presence. Behind the second curtain was the part called the Holy of Holies, which contained the golden altar for incense and the ark of the covenant, completely overlaid with gold. In this ark were the golden vessel containing the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant." - This passage describes the bread of the Presence, which David ate in 1 Samuel 21, in the context of the tabernacle, highlighting its ceremonial importance.
FAQ:
What did David ask the priest Ahimelech?
David asked for bread and a weapon, claiming to be on a royal mission. The priest gave him the showbread and Goliath's sword. (1 Samuel 21:1-9)
Why did David flee to Gath?
He sought refuge among the Philistines, Israel's enemies, to escape Saul. (1 Samuel 21:10)
How did David escape from the king of Gath?
He pretended to be mad, because the Philistines did not kill people with mental disorders. (1 Samuel 21:12-15)
What do the showbread symbolize?
They represent God’s provision and the holiness of food dedicated to the Lord. (1 Samuel 21:6; Matthew 12:3-4)
How important was Goliath's sword to David?
It symbolized the victory God had already given him, reinforcing his confidence in divine protection. (1 Samuel 21:9)
