1 Samuel 21:8-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:1-9

Here, I. David, in distress, flies in the tabernacle of God, now pitched at Nob, supposed to be a city in the tribe of Benjamin. Since Shiloh was forsaken, the tabernacle was often removed, though the ark still remained at Kirjath-jearim. Hither David came in his flight from Saul's fury (1 Sam. 21:1), and applied to Ahimelech the priest. Samuel the prophet could not protect him, Jonathan the prince could not. He therefore has recourse next to Ahimelech the priest. He foresees he must now be an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:8

And David said unto Ahimelech ,.... After he had given him some of the loaves of the shewbread: and is there not here under thine hand spear or sword ? any weapon, meaning in the tabernacle, and in his keeping, and at his disposal; he knew the sword of Goliath was there, and perhaps had a principal view to it, and put this question in order to get that in his possession: for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me ; neither his sword, nor any part of his armour, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:9

And the priest said, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah ,.... See 1 Samuel 17:2 , behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod ; the garment of the high priest, in which were the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate, or the linen vestments of the priests; see 1 Samuel 22:18 ; which were laid up in a chamber for their use; and behind them the sword of Goliath was wrapped up in a linen cloth, and reserved as a monument of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 21:9

The sword of Goliath - It has already been conjectured (see 1 Samuel 17:1-58) that the sword of Goliath was laid up as a trophy in the tabernacle. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:8-9

Is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? The sight of Doeg made David feel how helpless he was in case of attack, and he excuses his request for weapons by saying that he had left home unarmed because of the urgeney of the king's business. The whole matter must have seemed very suspicious to Ahimelech, but he was powerless, and answers that the only weapon in the sanctuary was David's own votive offering, the sword of Goliath, carefully deposited in a place of honour behind the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:8-15

The hero unheroic. I. A WEAPON WAS GIVEN TO DAVID AT NOB THAT SHOULD HAVE STIRRED ALL THE HEROIC ELEMENT IN HIM AND RESTORED HIS FALTERING FAITH . Had he forgotten that the sword of Goliath was in custody of the priests? Or did he remember it, and was it for a sight and a grasp of this mighty weapon that he longed? Who can tell? The priest reminded him of the day when, with that very sword, he beheaded the prostrate giant in the valley of Elah.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 21:9

Wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod - Rather, “in the cloak,” Goliath’s military cloak, which was part of the dedicated trophy. The ephod was naturally hung up where the high priest alone could get at it. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 21:8-9

1 Samuel 21:8-9. The king’s business required haste He pretended to Ahimelech, that the reason why he had not brought his sword or any weapon with him was, because he had not time to go to his house; the king pressing him to go immediately about his business. Wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod That is, behind that holy place allotted for the keeping of the sacred, or priestly garments; all which are here comprehended under the ephod; which, as the chief, is put for all the rest. Here... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:1-15

Flight from Saul (21:1-15)The first place to which David fled was Nob, which, since the destruction of Shiloh, had become the city of priests (21:1). About this time a few personal servants joined him, according to an arrangement he had made with them earlier. David obtained food for himself and his men by deceiving Ahimelech the priest concerning the purpose of his journey. Unfortunately for him, and for Ahimelech and the other priests, he was seen by someone sympathetic to Saul (2-9).From Nob... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 21:9

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . read more

Group of Brands