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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 21:4 "There is no common bread on hand," the priest replied, "but there is some consecrated bread--provided that the young men have kept themselves from women."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/21-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/09_1Sa_21_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 21:4 - David Takes the Consecrated Bread" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="There is no common bread on hand, the priest replied, but there is some consecrated bread--provided that the young men have kept themselves from women." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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however, there is some consecrated bread here—provided the men have kept themselves from women.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> “We don’t have any regular bread,” the priest replied. “But there is the holy bread, which you can have if your young men have not slept with any women recently.” <a href="/esv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread—if the young men have kept themselves from women.” <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “There is no common bread on hand,” the priest replied, “but there is some consecrated bread—provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.” <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21.htm">King James Bible</a> And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/21.htm">New King James Version</a> And the priest answered David and said, “There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women.” <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The priest answered David and said, “There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread, if only the young men have kept themselves from women.” <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> The priest answered David and said, &#8220There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the priest answered David and said, “There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.” <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And the priest answered David and said, “There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.” <a href="/amp/1_samuel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The priest answered David, “There is no ordinary (unconsecrated) bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread; [you may have it] if only the young men have kept themselves from women.” <a href="/csb/1_samuel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The priest told him, “There is no ordinary bread on hand. However, there is consecrated bread, but the young men may eat it only if they have kept themselves from women.” <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The priest told him, &#8220There is no ordinary bread on hand. However, there is consecrated bread, but the young men may eat it only if they have kept themselves from women.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_samuel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "The only bread I have is the sacred bread," the priest told David. "You can have it if your soldiers didn't sleep with women last night." <a href="/erv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "I don't have any ordinary bread," the chief priest answered David. "But there is holy bread for the young men if they haven't had sexual intercourse [today]." <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> The priest said, "I don't have any ordinary bread, only sacred bread; you can have it if your men haven't had sexual relations recently." <a href="/isv/1_samuel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> The priest answered David: "There is no ordinary bread available; only consecrated bread, provided that the young men have kept themselves from women." <a href="/msb/1_samuel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?There is no common bread on hand,? the priest replied, ?but there is some consecrated bread?provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.? <a href="/net/1_samuel/21.htm">NET Bible</a> The priest replied to David, "I don't have any ordinary bread at my disposal. Only holy bread is available, and then only if your soldiers have abstained from sexual relations with women." <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And the priest answered David, and said, "There is no common bread in my control, but there is holy bread. If the young men have kept themselves from women, they may eat of it." <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. <a href="/web/1_samuel/21.htm">World English Bible</a> The priest answered David, and said, “I have no common bread, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the priest answers David and says, “There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread; if only the youths have been kept from women.” <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the priest answereth David, and saith, 'There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread; if the youths have been kept only from women.' <a href="/slt/1_samuel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> <RF q=*>The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for <a href=#>1 Sam 21:5</a><Rf> And the priest will answer David and say, No common bread under my hand, but there is consecrated bread; if the boys watched themselves only from women.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the priest answered David, saying: I have no common bread at hand, but only holy bread, if the young men be clean, especially from women? <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And the priest, responding to David, said to him: “I have no common bread at hand, but only holy bread. Are the young men clean, especially from women?” <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Bible</a> But the priest replied to David, “I have no ordinary bread on hand, only holy bread; if the men have abstained from women, you may eat some of that.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The priest answered David, “I have no ordinary bread at hand, only holy bread—provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the priest answered David and said to him, There is no common bread in my possession, but there is hallowed bread; you may have it if the young men have kept themselves from touching unclean things. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And now what is under your hand? Give into my hands five loaves of bread or whatever is found"<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the priest answered David, and said: 'There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.' <a href="/sep/1_samuel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the priest answered David, and said, There are no common loaves under my hand, for I have none but holy loaves: if the young men have been kept at least from women, then they shall eat them. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/21-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=6297" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">David Takes the Consecrated Bread</a> …3Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.” 4<a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên- (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">“There is no</a> <a href="/hebrew/2455.htm" title="2455: ḥōl (N-ms) -- Profaneness, commonness. From chalal; properly, exposed; hence, profane.">common</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-msc) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">bread</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">hand,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hên (Art:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘an (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Punc) -- That, for, when. ">“</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">but</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yêš (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">there is some</a> <a href="/hebrew/6944.htm" title="6944: qō·ḏeš (N-ms) -- Apartness, sacredness. From qadash; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity.">consecrated</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-msc) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">bread—</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">provided that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: han·nə·‘ā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">the young men</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: niš·mə·rū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">have kept themselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: mê·’iš·šāh (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">from women.”</a> 5David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the equipment of the young men is holy, as it is even on common missions, and all the more at this time.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">Matthew 12:3-4</a> Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests. <a href="/mark/2-25.htm">Mark 2:25-26</a> Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? / During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.” <a href="/luke/6-3.htm">Luke 6:3-4</a> Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.” <a href="/leviticus/24-9.htm">Leviticus 24:9</a> It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place; for it is to him a most holy part of the food offerings to the LORD—his portion forever.” <a href="/exodus/25-30.htm">Exodus 25:30</a> And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times. <a href="/exodus/29-32.htm">Exodus 29:32-33</a> At the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket. / They must eat those things by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no outsider may eat them, because these things are sacred. <a href="/leviticus/8-31.htm">Leviticus 8:31</a> And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the meat at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and eat it there with the bread that is in the basket of ordination offerings, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons are to eat it.’ <a href="/leviticus/22-10.htm">Leviticus 22:10-16</a> No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it. / But if a priest buys a slave with his own money, or if a slave is born in his household, that slave may eat his food. / If the priest’s daughter is married to a man other than a priest, she is not to eat of the sacred contributions. ... <a href="/numbers/28-9.htm">Numbers 28:9-10</a> On the Sabbath day, present two unblemished year-old male lambs, accompanied by a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, as well as a drink offering. / This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering. <a href="/1_kings/21-4.htm">1 Kings 21:4-6</a> So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat. / Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?” / Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’” <a href="/2_chronicles/30-21.htm">2 Chronicles 30:21-22</a> The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and priests praised the LORD day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the LORD. / And Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the LORD. For seven days they ate their assigned portion, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers. <a href="/nehemiah/10-33.htm">Nehemiah 10:33</a> for the showbread, for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings, for the Sabbath offerings, for the New Moons and appointed feasts, for the holy offerings, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the duties of the house of our God. <a href="/matthew/12-5.htm">Matthew 12:5</a> Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent? <a href="/hebrews/9-2.htm">Hebrews 9:2</a> A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. <a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Hebrews 9:6</a> When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.hallowed bread<a href="/1_samuel/21-6.htm">1 Samuel 21:6</a> So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.<a href="/exodus/25-30.htm">Exodus 25:30</a> And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.<a href="/leviticus/24-5.htm">Leviticus 24:5-9</a> And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake… if the young<a href="/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15</a> And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.<a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3</a> And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?<a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">1 Corinthians 7:5</a> Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-3.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-12.htm">Common</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-5.htm">Consecrated</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-5.htm">Hallowed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-3.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">However</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-7.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-21.htm">Least</a> <a href="/exodus/30-32.htm">Ordinary</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-22.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-7.htm">Women</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm">Common</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-6.htm">Consecrated</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-6.htm">Hallowed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-23.htm">However</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-21.htm">Least</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-1.htm">Ordinary</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-2.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm">Women</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 21</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread</a> 7. <a href="/1_samuel/21-7.htm">Doeg is present</a> 8. <a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">David takes Goliath's sword</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/21-10.htm">David at Gath feigns himself insane</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“There is no common bread on hand,” In this context, David is fleeing from King Saul and arrives at Nob, where the tabernacle is located. The priest, Ahimelech, informs David that there is no ordinary bread available. This highlights the scarcity of resources and the urgency of David's situation. The absence of common bread emphasizes the sacredness of the location and the items within it, as the tabernacle was a place of worship and sacrifice.“the priest replied,” Ahimelech, the priest, serves as a mediator between God and the people, and his role is crucial in maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle. His response to David reflects the tension between adhering to religious law and addressing human need. Priests were responsible for the care and distribution of the sacred items, including the showbread, which was typically reserved for the priests alone.“but there is some consecrated bread—” The consecrated bread refers to the showbread, also known as the "bread of the Presence," which was placed on a table in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. According to Levitical law (<a href="/leviticus/24-5.htm">Leviticus 24:5-9</a>), this bread was to be set before the Lord continually and replaced every Sabbath. The old bread was then consumed by the priests. The mention of consecrated bread underscores the holiness of the items within the tabernacle and the strict regulations governing their use.“provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.” This condition reflects the requirement for ritual purity, especially when handling or consuming sacred items. Abstaining from sexual relations was a common practice for maintaining ceremonial cleanliness (<a href="/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15</a>). This stipulation indicates the importance of purity in approaching holy things and aligns with the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation from sin. It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching on purity and the sanctification of believers (<a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-7</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The future king of Israel, currently fleeing from King Saul. He is in need of sustenance and seeks help from the priest Ahimelech. 2. <a href="/topical/a/ahimelech.htm">Ahimelech</a> The priest at Nob who provides David with the consecrated bread. He is initially hesitant but ultimately assists David. 3. <a href="/topical/n/nob.htm">Nob</a> A city of priests where the tabernacle was located at this time. It serves as the setting for this encounter between David and Ahimelech. 4. <a href="/topical/c/consecrated_bread.htm">Consecrated Bread</a> Also known as the "showbread" or "bread of the Presence," it was placed before the Lord in the tabernacle and was meant to be eaten only by the priests. 5. <a href="/topical/y/young_men.htm">Young Men</a> Refers to David's companions, who are implied to be with him and are also in need of food.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/m/mercy_over_ritual.htm">Mercy Over Ritual</a> This passage illustrates the principle that human need can take precedence over ceremonial law. Jesus later uses this example to teach about the spirit of the law versus the letter of the law. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a> David's experience shows that God provides for His people in unexpected ways. Even in dire circumstances, God can use others to meet our needs. <a href="/topical/p/purity_and_preparation.htm">Purity and Preparation</a> The requirement that the young men have kept themselves from women underscores the importance of purity and preparation when approaching holy things. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a> David's leadership is evident as he seeks provision not only for himself but also for his men, demonstrating responsibility and care for those under his charge. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> David's faith is active as he approaches Ahimelech, trusting that God will provide for him through the priest's assistance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 21</a> <a href="/q/how_did_david_lawfully_eat_holy_bread.htm">How could David lawfully eat the consecrated bread reserved for priests (1 Samuel 21:4–6)? </a> <a href="/q/why_did_david_eat_the_showbread.htm">Why did David eat the showbread in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_jesus_justify_breaking_sabbath.htm">(Luke 6:1–5) How can Jesus justify breaking Sabbath rules, allegedly set by God, by appealing to David’s actions? </a> <a href="/q/why_does_mark_2_26_mention_abiathar.htm">Why does Jesus refer to 'Abiathar the high priest' in Mark 2:26 while 1 Samuel 21 names Ahimelech instead?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) There is no common bread.--The condition of the priests in these days of Saul was evidently a pitiable one. The terrible massacre related in the next chapter seems not to have excited the wail of indignation and woe which such a wholesale murder of the priests of the living God should naturally have called out from the entire people. They were evidently held in little esteem, and their murder was regarded at the time, not as an awful act of sacrilege, but simply as an act of political vengeance--of punishment for what the king was pleased to style treason. Here the almost destitute condition of the ministers of the principal sanctuary of Israel appears from the quiet answer of the high priest to David, telling him they had positively no bread but the stale bread removed from before "the Presence" in the holy building.This "hallowed bread," or shewbread, five loaves of which David petitioned for, consisted of twelve loaves, one for each tribe, which were placed in the Tabernacle fresh every Sabbath Day. The law of Moses was that this bread, being most holy, could only be eaten by the priests in the holy place. It is probable that this regulation had been relaxed, and that the bread was now often being carried away and eaten in the homes of the ministering priests, and on urgent occasions, perhaps, was even given to the "laity," as in this case, the proviso only being made that the consumers of the bread should be ceremonially pure. Our Saviour, in <a href="/matthew/12-3.htm" title="But he said to them, Have you not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him;">Matthew 12:3</a>, especially uses this example, drawn from the Tabernacle's honoured customs, to justify a violation of the letter of the law, when its strict observance would stand in the way of the fulfilment of man's sacred duty to his neighbour.The natural inference from this incident would be that such a violation of the Mosaic Law was not an uncommon occurrence, as Ahimelech at once gave him the hallowed bread, only making a conditional inquiry about ceremonial purity--a condition which came out so readily that we feel it had often been made before. The Talmud, however, is most anxious that this inference should not be drawn, and points out in the treatise Menachoth, "Meat-offerings" (Seder Kodashim), that this bread was not newly taken out of the sanctuary, but had been removed on some previous day, and that as, after a week's exposure, it was stale and dry, the priests ate but little of it, and the rest was left. (See Treatise Yoma, 39.) It also points out that had such violation of the Levitical Law been common, so much importance would not have been attached to this incident. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/21-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“[There is] no אֵֽין־ (’ên-) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle common חֹ֖ל (ḥōl) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2455.htm">Strong's 2455: </a> Profaneness, commonness bread לֶ֥חֶם (le·ḥem) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain on תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of hand,” יָדִ֑י (yā·ḏî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand the priest הַכֹּהֵ֤ן (hak·kō·hên) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest replied, וַיַּ֨עַן (way·ya·‘an) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> To answer, respond “but אִם־ (’im-) Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not there is some יֵ֔שׁ (yêš) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> Being, substance, existence, is consecrated קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ (qō·ḏeš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6944.htm">Strong's 6944: </a> A sacred place, thing, sanctity bread— לֶ֤חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain provided that אִם־ (’im-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the young men הַנְּעָרִ֖ים (han·nə·‘ā·rîm) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer have kept themselves נִשְׁמְר֥וּ (niš·mə·rū) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to from women.” מֵאִשָּֽׁה׃ (mê·’iš·šāh) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 21:4 The priest answered David and said There (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/21-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/21-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>