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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 21:2 "The king has given me a mission," David replied. "He told me no one is to know about the mission or charge. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/21-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/09_1Sa_21_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 21:2 - David Takes the Consecrated Bread" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The king has given me a mission, David replied. 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I have told my men where to meet me later. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, ‘Let no one know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.’ I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21.htm">King James Bible</a> And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/21.htm">New King James Version</a> So David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.’ And I have directed my young men to such and such a place. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> David said to Ahimelech the priest, &#8220The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, &#8216Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter, and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commanded me with a matter and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commanded you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ <a href="/amp/1_samuel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has told me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter for which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you. I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ <a href="/csb/1_samuel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> David answered the priest Ahimelech, “The king gave me a mission, but he told me, ‘Don’t let anyone know anything about the mission I’m sending you on or what I have ordered you to do.’ I have stationed my young men at a certain place. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> David answered Ahimelech the priest, &#8220The king gave me a mission, but he told me, &#8216Don&#8217t let anyone know anything about the mission I&#8217m sending you on or what I have ordered you to do.&#8217 I have stationed my young men at a certain place. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know anything of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "I'm on a mission for King Saul," David answered. "He ordered me not to tell anyone what the mission is all about, so I ordered my soldiers to stay somewhere else. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "The king ordered me to do something," David answered the priest Ahimelech, "and he told me, 'No one must know anything about this mission I'm sending you on and about the orders I've given you. I've stationed my young men at a certain place.' " <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> "I am here on the king's business," David answered. "He told me not to let anyone know what he sent me to do. As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> David told Ahimelech the priest, "The king commanded me about a matter, saying to me, 'Don't let anyone know anything about the matter I'm sending you to do and about which I've commanded you. I've directed the young men to a certain place.' <a href="/msb/1_samuel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?The king has given me a mission,? David replied. ?He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. <a href="/net/1_samuel/21.htm">NET Bible</a> David replied to Ahimelech the priest, "The king instructed me to do something, but he said to me, 'Don't let anyone know the reason I am sending you or the instructions I have given you.' I have told my soldiers to wait at a certain place. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And David said to the priest, "The king has given me orders, and he instructed me, ?No one must know of the matter about which I send you, or about your orders; and I have arranged to meet the young men at a certain place.? <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. <a href="/web/1_samuel/21.htm">World English Bible</a> David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commanded me to do something, and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you. I have sent the young men to a certain place.’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And David says to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commanded me [on] a matter, and he says to me, Let no man know anything of the matter about which I send you, and which I have commanded you; and [my] young men know [to go] to such and such a place. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And David saith to Ahimelech the priest, 'The king hath commanded me a matter, and he saith unto me, Let no man know anything of the matter about which I am sending thee, and which I have commanded thee; and the young men I have caused to know at such and such a place; <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 21:3</a><Rf> And David will say to Abimelech the priest, The king commanded me a word, and he will say to me, A man shall not know any thing of the word for which I sent thee, and what I commanded thee: and the boys I showed to such a place a certain one.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And David said to Achimelech the priest: The king hath commanded me a business, and said: Let no man know the thing for which thou art sent by me, and what manner of commands I have given thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And David said to the priest Ahimelech: “The king has instructed to me a word, and he said: ‘Let no one know the matter about which you have been sent by me, and what type of instructions I have given to you. For I have also summoned servants to one and another place.’ <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Bible</a> David answered the priest: “The king gave me a commission and told me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I have sent you or the commission I have given you.’ For that reason I have arranged a particular meeting place with my men. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> David said to the priest Ahimelech, “The king has charged me with a matter, and said to me, ‘No one must know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.’ I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And David said to Ahimeleck the priest, The king has entrusted me with a matter, and has said to me, Let no man know the thing for which I send you, and what I have commanded you; and I have stationed my servants at hidden and obscure places. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And David came to Nakakh to Akhimelek the Priest, and Akhimelek was sorry at the meeting of David, and he said to him: “Why have you come alone? You have come and no man is with you!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And David said unto Ahimelech the priest: 'The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me: Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee; and the young men have I appointed to such and such a place. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And David said to the priest, The king gave me a command to-day, and said to me, Let no one know the matter on which I send thee, an concerning which I have charged thee: and I have charged my servants to be in the place that is called, The faithfulness of God, phellani maemoni. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/21-2.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=6277" 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> 1Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” 2<a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">“The king</a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wa·nî (V-Piel-Perf-3ms:: 1cs) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">has given me</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a mission,”</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.">David</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.">replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/288.htm" title="288: la·’ă·ḥî·me·leḵ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- From 'ach and melek; brother of king; Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite."></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."></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.">“He told</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">no one</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yê·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">is to know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3972.htm" title="3972: mə·’ū·māh (N-ms) -- Anything. Apparently a form of m'uwm; properly, a speck or point, i.e. something; with negative, nothing."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">about</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the mission</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šō·lê·ḥă·ḵā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 2ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: wa·’ă·šer (Conj-w:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wî·ṯi·ḵā (V-Piel-Perf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">charge.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">And</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·w·ḏa‘·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">I have directed</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.">my young men</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to meet me</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: mə·qō·wm (N-msc) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">at a certain place.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6423.htm" title="6423: pə·lō·nî (Adj-ms) -- A certain one. From palah; such a one, i.e. A specified peccrson."></a> <a href="/hebrew/492.htm" title="492: ’al·mō·w·nî (Adj-ms) -- Someone, a certain (one). From 'almon in the sense of concealment; some one."></a> 3Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”…<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="/1_samuel/20-6.htm">1 Samuel 20:6</a> If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’ <a href="/1_samuel/22-22.htm">1 Samuel 22:22</a> Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house. <a href="/1_samuel/19-2.htm">1 Samuel 19:2</a> so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there. <a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">1 Samuel 19:11-12</a> Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped. <a href="/1_samuel/18-11.htm">1 Samuel 18:11</a> and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. <a href="/1_samuel/16-2.htm">1 Samuel 16:2</a> “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ <a href="/2_samuel/15-10.htm">2 Samuel 15:10</a> Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” <a href="/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20</a> When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” “They have crossed over the brook,” she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/2_kings/10-19.htm">2 Kings 10:19</a> Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal. <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2</a> Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him. <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Genesis 26:7</a> But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” <a href="/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4-5</a> But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I did not know where they had come from. / At dusk, when the gate was about to close, the men went out, and I do not know which way they went. Pursue them quickly, and you may catch them!” <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.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.<a href="/1_samuel/19-17.htm">1 Samuel 19:17</a> And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?<a href="/1_samuel/22-22.htm">1 Samuel 22:22</a> And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.<a href="/genesis/27-20.htm">Genesis 27:20,24</a> And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">Ahimelech</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">Ahim'elech</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-35.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-35.htm">Appointment</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-19.htm">Business</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-29.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-23.htm">Commissioned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-20.htm">Directed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-39.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-20.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-1.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-22.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">Ahimelech</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">Ahim'elech</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-30.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-32.htm">Appointment</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">Business</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-12.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-21.htm">Commissioned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-16.htm">Directed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-3.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-7.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-4.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>The king has given me a mission, David's statement to Ahimelech the priest is a strategic move to protect himself and his men. At this point, David is fleeing from King Saul, who is seeking his life. The "king" David refers to is likely a fabricated story to explain his presence and need for provisions. This reflects David's quick thinking and resourcefulness, traits that are evident throughout his life. Theologically, this moment foreshadows the greater mission of Jesus Christ, who also faced opposition and had to navigate through hostile environments.David replied. David's interaction with Ahimelech is significant as it shows his ability to communicate effectively under pressure. This encounter is a pivotal moment in David's life, marking the beginning of his life as a fugitive. It also highlights the theme of divine providence, as God continues to protect David despite the dangers he faces. This can be compared to the way Jesus often responded to questions and challenges with wisdom and authority.He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. David's claim of secrecy underscores the urgency and danger of his situation. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, secrecy in missions was not uncommon, especially in matters of national security or personal safety. This phrase also reflects the theme of divine secrecy and revelation found throughout Scripture, where God's plans are often hidden until the appointed time. It parallels the way Jesus often spoke in parables, revealing truths only to those who were ready to understand.And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. David's mention of his "young men" indicates that he is not alone, emphasizing his role as a leader even in exile. This phrase suggests a prearranged plan, showcasing David's strategic planning and leadership skills. The "certain place" remains unspecified, adding to the tension and uncertainty of the narrative. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who also gathered a group of followers and led them with purpose and direction, often in secretive or secluded settings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, and a man after God's own heart. At this point, he is fleeing from King Saul, who seeks to kill him. 2. <a href="/topical/a/ahimelech.htm">Ahimelech</a> The priest at Nob, who is unaware of the true nature of David's visit and the deception involved. 3. <a href="/topical/n/nob.htm">Nob</a> A city of priests, where the tabernacle was located during this period. It serves as a temporary sanctuary for David. 4. <a href="/topical/k/king_saul.htm">King Saul</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Saul's pursuit of David is the backdrop for David's actions and decisions. 5. <a href="/topical/d/david's_young_men.htm">David's Young Men</a> They are not present in this verse but are part of David's account, representing his loyal followers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/i/integrity_and_deception.htm">Integrity and Deception</a> David's deception raises questions about integrity. While he is a man after God's own heart, his actions here are complex and reflect human frailty. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a> Despite his deception, David's reliance on God is evident throughout his life. This passage challenges us to trust in God's provision even when circumstances are dire. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_fear.htm">The Role of Fear</a> Fear can lead to compromised decisions. David's fear of Saul drives him to deceive Ahimelech, reminding us to seek God's guidance in fearful situations. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_chaos.htm">God's Sovereignty in Chaos</a> Even in the midst of chaos and deception, God's plan for David's kingship remains intact. This reassures us of God's sovereignty in our lives. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a> David's reference to his young men highlights the importance of community and support during trials.<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/why_was_david_punished_for_a_census.htm">Why was David punished for conducting a census?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_elhanan_kill_goliath,_not_david.htm">In 2 Samuel 21:19, how could Elhanan have killed Goliath when David is credited with that feat in 1 Samuel 17?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_king_david_deceive_and_kill.htm">Why does King David, described elsewhere as righteous (1 Kings 15:5), resort to deceit and murder in 2 Samuel 11:14-17?</a> <a href="/q/who_were_the_cherethites_in_the_bible.htm">What are the visions and prophecies of Gad?</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>(2) The king hath commanded me.--This is one of the sad episodes in a glorious life. Overwhelmed with dismay at his sudden fall, home and wife, friends and rank, all had been taken from him, and he who had been on the very steps of the throne, the darling of the people, strangely successful in all that he had up to this time put his hand to, was now a proscribed exile, flying for his life. These things must plead as his excuse for his falsehood to Ahimelech, and his flight to and subsequent behaviour among the hereditary enemies of his race, the Philistines. But here, as in so many places, the Holy Spirit who guided the pen of the compiler of this true history could not lie, but fearlessly tells the repulsive truth which must ever be deeply damaging to the favourite hero of Israel. "The Holy Spirit is become the chronicler of men's foolish, yea, sinful actions. He has narrated the lies of Abraham, the incest of Lot, the simulation of the man after God's heart."--Lange.I have appointed my servants.--This portion of his words to Ahimelech was, no doubt, strictly true. It is unlikely that one in the high position of David at the court of Saul, possessing, too, such powers over men's hearts, would be allowed to go even into exile without any friends or attendants. Those alluded to here probably joined him soon after his parting with Jonathan. Our Lord, in <a href="/context/mark/2-25.htm" title="And he said to them, Have you never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered, he, and they that were with him?">Mark 2:25-26</a>, speaks of the priest giving the shewbread to David and to those that were with him, when both he and they that were with him were an hungred.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - The king hath commanded me a business. This pretence of a private commission from the king was a mere invention, but his "appointing his servants to meet him at such and such a place" was probably the exact truth. After parting with Jonathan, David probably did not venture to show himself at home, but, while Saul still supposed him to be at Bethlehem, gave orders to some trusty officer to gather together a few of his most faithful men, and await him with them at some fit place. Meanwhile alone he sets out on his flight, and, having as yet no settled plan, goes to Nob, because it was out of the way of the road to Bethlehem, whither Saul would send to arrest him. Naturally such a visit would seem strange to Ahimelech; but David needed food and arms, and probably counsel; and. but for the chance of the presence of Doeg, no harm might have ensued. As it was, this visit of David completed the ruin of Eli's house. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/21-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“The king הַמֶּלֶךְ֮ (ham·me·leḵ) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king has ordered me צִוַּ֣נִי (ṣiw·wa·nî) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order on some business,” דָבָר֒ (ḏā·ḇār) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause David דָּוִ֜ד (dā·wiḏ) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse replied. וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “He told וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say me אֵלַ֗י (’ê·lay) 0 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to no one אַל־ (’al-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not is to know יֵ֧דַע (yê·ḏa‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know about אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the mission הַדָּבָ֛ר (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause or וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר (wa·’ă·šer) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that instructions. צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ (ṣiw·wî·ṯi·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order And וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case I have directed יוֹדַ֔עְתִּי (yō·w·ḏa‘·tî) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know [my] young men הַנְּעָרִ֣ים (han·nə·‘ā·rîm) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer to meet me אֶל־ (’el-) Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to at a certain place. מְק֥וֹם (mə·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 21:2 David said to Ahimelech the priest (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/21-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:3" /></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>