1 Samuel - Caput 21

1 Samuel 21.1 fugit autem David de Najoth quae est in Ramatha veniensque locutus est coram Jonatha quid feci quae est iniquitas mea et quod peccatum meum in patrem tuum quia quaerit animam meam 1 Samuel 21.2 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 1 Samuel 21.3 et ait David ad Ahimelech sacerdotem rex praecepit mihi sermonem et dixit nemo sciat rem propter quam a me missus es et cuiusmodi tibi praecepta dederim nam et pueris condixi in illum et illum locum 1 Samuel 21.4 nunc igitur si quid habes ad manum vel quinque panes da mihi aut quicquid inveneris 1 Samuel 21.5 et respondens sacerdos David ait ei non habeo panes laicos ad manum sed tantum panem sanctum si mundi sunt pueri maxime a mulieribus 1 Samuel 21.6 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 haec polluta est sed et ipsa hodie sanctificabitur in vasis 1 Samuel 21.7 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 1 Samuel 21.8 erat autem ibi vir de servis Saul in die illa intus in tabernaculo Domini et nomen eius Doec Idumeus potentissimus pastorum Saul 1 Samuel 21.9 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 1 Samuel 21.10 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 1 Samuel 21.11 surrexit itaque David et fugit in die illa a facie Saul et venit ad Achis regem Geth 1 Samuel 21.12 dixeruntque ei servi Achis numquid non iste est David rex terrae nonne huic cantabant per choros dicentes percussit Saul mille et David decem milia 1 Samuel 21.13 posuit autem David sermones istos in corde suo et extimuit valde a facie Achis regis Geth 1 Samuel 21.14 et inmutavit os suum coram eis et conlabebatur inter manus eorum et inpingebat in ostia portae defluebantque salivae eius in barbam 1 Samuel 21.15 et ait Achis ad servos suos vidistis hominem insanum quare adduxistis eum ad me 1 Samuel 21.16 an desunt nobis furiosi quod introduxistis istum ut fureret me praesente hicine ingredietur domum meam

1 Samuel : Caput 21

David's Flight: A Lesson in Loyalty and Providence 1 Samuel 21 tells of David's desperate flight from the threat of Saul. In this time of turmoil, how does David survive? This poignant account takes us to David's encounter with the priest Ahimelech at Nob, where he receives the consecrated bread and Goliath's sword. This chapter illustrates the conflict between loyalty and survival, highlighting David's reliance on half-truths to justify his actions. Moreover, the character of Doeg the Edomite, whose presence is mentioned, hints at future tragedies.

We invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that shed light on the moral dilemmas and divine providence present in this crucial chapter.

Matthew 12:3-4

"He answered, 'Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and those who were with him ate the bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for them, but only for the priests.'"

In this passage, Jesus refers to the event in 1 Samuel 21, emphasizing that human needs can sometimes prevail over ceremonial regulations.

Mark 2:25-26

"He answered them, 'Have you never read what David did when he and those with him were in need and hungry? He entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of the Presence, which only priests were allowed to eat, and he gave it to those with him as well.'"

This verse is another reference to the event in 1 Samuel 21, used by Jesus to defend his disciples accused of breaking the Sabbath.

Psalms 34:1

"Of David. When he pretended to be mad before Abimelech, who drove him out, and he went away."

This title of Psalm 34 directly alludes to the events of 1 Samuel 21, where David feigns madness before Achish, also known as Abimelech.

Psalms 56:1

"To the music master. To the tune of 'The Dove in the Oaks Far Off.' By David. Micto. When the Philistines arrested him at Gath."

This title of Psalm 56 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 lampstand, 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 pot containing the manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the tablets of the covenant."

This passage describes the bread of the Presence, which David consumed in 1 Samuel 21, in the context of the tabernacle, emphasizing its ceremonial significance.

Through these verses, we understand that divine providence accompanies David even in his darkest moments, reminding us that, despite trials, we are never alone.