SEV Biblia, Chapter 21:1
¶ Y vino David a Nob, a Ahimelec sacerdote; y Ahimelec salió a recibirlo con miedo, y le dijo: ¿Cómo vienes tú solo, y nadie contigo?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:1
Verse 1. Then came David to Nob] There were two places of this name, one on this side, the second on the other side of Jordan; but it is generally supposed that Nob, near Gibeah of Benjamin, is the place here intended; it was about twelve miles from Jerusalem. Why art thou alone] Ahimelech probably knew nothing of the difference between Saul and David; and as he knew him to be the king's son-in-law, he wondered to see him come without any attendants.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Then came David to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest , etc.] The high priest, as Abarbinel rightly calls him; he was the brother of Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, who being dead he succeeded him; though some say he was the same; (see 1 Samuel 14:3 22:9); who was now at Nob, the tabernacle being there, whither probably it was removed by Saul, and where and at Gibeon, according to the Jews f429 , it continued fifty seven years; as in the times of Joshua it was in Shiloh, in the tribe of Ephraim, of which tribe he was; and in the times of David it was placed in the tribe of Judah, to which he belonged; so in the times of Saul it was in Nob, a city of his tribe, twelve miles from Gibeah, according to Bunting f430 ; for that it was in the tribe of Benjamin appears by its being mentioned along with Anathoth, ( Nehemiah 11:32); and according to Jarchi and Kimchi it was near Jerusalem, and so near that it might be seen from thence; some say they are the same f432 ; Jerom speaks of it as near Diospolis or Lydda. David, before he departed further off, was willing to see the tabernacle once more, and there worship his God, and inquire of him by the high priest, as he did, ( 1 Samuel 22:10); to direct him what way he should take, and that he would prosper and succeed him in it, grant him his presence, and keep him in safety: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David ; hearing that he was come or coming, he went out to meet him, but when he saw him alone he trembled; especially if he had heard of his having fallen under the displeasure of Saul, and that he now fled from him, therefore he might fear that he should fall into disgrace and danger should he entertain him: and he said unto him, why [art] thou alone, and no man with thee ? he might well wonder at it, and put such a question, seeing he was so great a man, both in the court and camp, and the king’s son in law; he might therefore reasonably suspect something more than ordinary was the case, and which occasioned his fears.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - David, in distress, fled to the tabernacle of God. It is great comfor in a day of trouble, that we have a God to go to, to whom we may ope our cases, and from whom we may ask and expect direction. David tol Ahimelech a gross untruth. What shall we say to this? The Scriptur does not conceal it, and we dare not justify it; it was ill done, an proved of bad consequence; for it occasioned the death of the priest of the Lord. David thought upon it afterward with regret. David ha great faith and courage, yet both failed him; he fell thus foull through fear and cowardice, and owing to the weakness of his faith. Ha he trusted God aright, he would not have used such a sorry, sinfu shift for his own preservation. It is written, not for us to do the like, no, not in the greatest straits, but for our warning. David aske of Ahimelech bread and a sword. Ahimelech supposed they might eat the shew-bread. The Son of David taught from it, that mercy is to be preferred to sacrifice; that ritual observances must give way to mora duties. Doeg set his foot as far within the tabernacle as David did. We little know with what hearts people come to the house of God, nor what use they will make of pretended devotion. If many come in simplicity of heart to serve their God, others come to observe their teachers and to prove accusers. Only God and the event can distinguish between a Davi and a Doeg, when both are in the tabernacle. (1Sa 21:10-15)
Original Hebrew
ויבא 935 דוד 1732 נבה 5011 אל 413 אחימלך 288 הכהן 3548 ויחרד 2729 אחימלך 288 לקראת 7122 דוד 1732 ויאמר 559 לו מדוע 4069 אתה 859 לבדך 905 ואישׁ 376 אין 369 אתך׃ 854
