21:9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it [is here] wrapped in a cloth behind the {g} ephod: if thou wilt take that, take [it]: for [there is] no other save that here. And David said, [There is] none like that; give it me.(g) Behind that place where the high priests garment lay. read more
21:10 And David arose, and {h} fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.(h) That is, out of Saul’s domain. read more
David came down to Nob, which was a cause of alarm to Ahimelech the priest, who asks why he had no man with him. It would seem from the history here that he had no-one identified with him, yet there must have been others in the vicinity who where with him, because the Lord Jesus, in commenting on this occasion, definitely speaks of "those that were with him (David)" (Matthew 12:3). As he told Ahimelech, he evidently appointed his servants to a place in the area. Still, his words were not true... read more
DAVID IN EXILE DECEIVING THE PRIEST (1 Samuel 21:0 ) Nob was northeast of Jerusalem and about five miles from Gibeah. David’s unexpected presence there, and alone, caused alarm (1 Samuel 21:1 ). His falsehood was unnecessary and wrong (1 Samuel 21:2 ), and is not commended of God (Psalms 119:29 ). “Hallowed bread” (1 Samuel 21:4 ) was the shew-bread in the tabernacle, which we studied in Exodus and Leviticus. It was removed the day before the Sabbath when it became lawful for the priests... read more
Tried Weapons 1Sa 21:9 THE world is old enough now to have laid by in store weapons upon whose quality and strength it can pronounce with the emphasis of experience. What occasion is there for us to try newfangled instruments of fantastic shape and unproven temper? Is there an old steel? Are there no historical swords? Are we left altogether without the spell of rousing memories? Are there yet amongst us swords whose touch is an inspiration, because they connect us with the heroisms and... read more
(8) And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. (9) And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me. Poor David in his... read more
(10) ¶ And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. It is astonishing to see how the Lord's most eminent servants have been obliged to seek shelter from their foes. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab, (saith the Lord) be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler. Though they are outcasts, yet are they God's outcasts. And Moab, a sworn foe to God, shall protect them, if the Lord finds it necessary. Isaiah 16:4 . read more
This. Chaldean observes, he gave this sword "after he had consulted the Lord with the ephod." In a just war, the ornaments of the temples may be used. Pro republic i plerumque templa nudantur. (Seneca) (Grotius, Jur. iii. 5, 2.) (Calmet) --- Tostatus believes that David would restore this sword, as soon as he had procured other arms. read more
Achis. He is elsewhere called Achimelech. This bold step was taken by God's order, (Salien) or secret impulse, as the high priest and Doeg knew not whither David had directed his course. (Haydock) --- Sanchez thinks David received no express declaration, as the event was not very prosperous. (Menochius) --- Many great men have taken refuge among their greatest enemies, as Themistocles, Alcibiades, and Coriolanus fled respectively to the Persians, Laced'e6monians, and Volscians, and were... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 21:1-15
6. David’s Varied Experiences CHAPTER 21 1. David at Nob with Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1-9 ) 2. David’s flight to Achish, King of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15 ) With this chapter begins the record of David’s wanderings as an exile. A number of Psalms were written by him during this period of the rejection of the Lord’s anointed. We shall point out some of them. These Psalms are prophetic also foreshadowing the rejection and the sufferings of Christ as well as the tribulations of the pious... read more