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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 21:3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/21-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/09_1Sa_21_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 21:3 - David Takes the Consecrated Bread" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now then, what do you have on hand? 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Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Now, what is there to eat? Give me five loaves of bread or anything else you have.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore what is under thine hand? give <i>me</i> five <i>loaves of</i> bread in mine hand, or what there is present.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, what have you on hand? Give <i>me</i> five <i>loaves of</i> bread in my hand, or whatever can be found.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now therefore, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now therefore, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now, what do you have on hand? Give five loaves of bread into my hand, or whatever can be found.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now what [food] do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread or whatever can be found.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread or whatever can be found.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore what is under thy hand? give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatsoever there is present.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Do you have any food you can give me? Could you spare five loaves of bread?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or whatsoever there is present.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[David added,] "Now, what do you have [to eat]? Give me five loaves of bread or whatever you can find."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Now, then, what supplies do you have? Give me five loaves of bread or anything else you have." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now, what do you have available? Give me five loaves of bread or whatever you have." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now what do you have at your disposal? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now, if there are five loaves of bread under your control, give them into my hand, or whatever there is."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now therefore what is under thy hand? give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or what there is present.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore what is under your hand? Please give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever is available.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, what is there under your hand? Give five loaves into my hand, or that which is found.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and now, what is there under thy hand? five loaves give into my hand, or that which is found.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br /><RF q=*><font color=#808080><i>The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for </i></font><i><font color=#0000FF> <a href=#>1 Sam 21:4</a></i></font><Rf> And now what is under thy hand? five of bread thou shalt give into my hand, or that being found.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore if thou have any thing at hand, though it were but five loaves, give me, or whatsoever thou canst find. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, if you have anything at hand, even five loaves of bread, or whatever you may find, give it to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves, or whatever you can find.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now then, what have you at hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore what provisions have you in your possession? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever can be found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David said to Akhimelek the Priest: “The King commanded me something and said to me, “No man shall know the thing for which I send you and command you and the young men. I discovered the place of a garden and a secret place<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now therefore what is under thy hand? five loaves of bread? give them in my hand, or whatsoever there is present.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now if there are under thy hand five loaves, give into my hand what is ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/21-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=6291" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">David Takes the Consecrated Bread</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>“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. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now then,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yêš (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">do you have</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·ḏə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">hand?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tə·nāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">Give me</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ḇə·yā·ḏî (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/2568.htm" title="2568: ḥă·miš·šāh- (Number-ms) -- Five. Masculine chamishshah; a primitive numeral; five.">five loaves of</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">bread,</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: han·nim·ṣā (Art:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To attain to, find. ">whatever can be found.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>“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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">Matthew 12:3-4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/2-25.htm">Mark 2:25-26</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-3.htm">Luke 6:3-4</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/25-30.htm">Exodus 25:30</a></span><br />And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-5.htm">Leviticus 24:5-9</a></span><br />You are also to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf, / and set them in two rows—six per row—on the table of pure gold before the LORD. / And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, a food offering to the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-2.htm">Hebrews 9:2</a></span><br />A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-10.htm">1 Samuel 22:10</a></span><br />Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-13.htm">1 Samuel 22:13</a></span><br />And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-17.htm">1 Samuel 22:17</a></span><br />Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-4.htm">1 Kings 21:4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/11-4.htm">2 Kings 11:4-12</a></span><br />Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son / and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall guard the royal palace, / a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-1.htm">Psalm 34:1-22</a></span><br />Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. / My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice. / Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/52-1.htm">Psalm 52:1-9</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. / Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a></span><br />But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-31.htm">John 6:31-35</a></span><br />Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. / For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now therefore what is under your hand? give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or what there is present.</p><p class="hdg">under thine</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4</a></b></br> And the priest answered David, and said, <i>There is</i> no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-29.htm">Judges 9:29</a></b></br> And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Isaiah 3:6</a></b></br> When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, <i>saying</i>, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and <i>let</i> this ruin <i>be</i> under thy hand:</p><p class="hdg">present [heb] found </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-17.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-17.htm">Cakes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-19.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-17.htm">Loaves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-18.htm">Present</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-4.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-4.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-18.htm">Cakes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-18.htm">Loaves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-27.htm">Present</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-8.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-8.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-7.htm">Doeg is present</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">David takes Goliath's sword</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-10.htm">David at Gath feigns himself insane</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Now then, what do you have on hand?</b><br>David, fleeing from King Saul, arrives at Nob, where the tabernacle is located. This question is directed to Ahimelech the priest, indicating David's urgent need for sustenance. The phrase reflects David's dire situation, as he is without provisions. In the broader biblical context, this moment highlights David's reliance on God’s provision during times of distress. It also sets the stage for the subsequent events where David receives the consecrated bread, illustrating God's provision in unexpected ways.<p><b>Give me five loaves of bread,</b><br>David specifically requests five loaves, which may symbolize a complete provision, as the number five often represents grace in biblical numerology. This request underscores David's immediate need for sustenance. The loaves likely refer to the showbread, which was placed in the tabernacle as an offering to God. This bread was typically reserved for the priests, but David's request and subsequent receipt of the bread foreshadow Jesus' teaching in the New Testament about mercy over sacrifice (<a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">Matthew 12:3-4</a>).<p><b>or whatever can be found.</b><br>David's flexibility in his request shows his desperation and humility. He is willing to accept whatever is available, demonstrating his trust in God's provision. This phrase also highlights the scarcity of resources during his flight, contrasting with the abundance he would later experience as king. It reflects a theme of dependence on God, which is echoed throughout David's life and in the Psalms he authored. This moment prefigures the provision of Christ, who is the Bread of Life, offering sustenance to all who come to Him in need.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The future king of Israel, currently fleeing from King Saul, who seeks his life. David is in a state of desperation and need.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ahimelech.htm">Ahimelech</a></b><br>The priest at Nob, who is approached by David for assistance. He is unaware of David's true situation and intentions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/nob.htm">Nob</a></b><br>A city of priests, where the tabernacle was located at this time. It serves as a temporary refuge for David.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The current king of Israel, who perceives David as a threat to his throne and is actively pursuing him.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_bread_of_the_presence.htm">The Bread of the Presence</a></b><br>Sacred bread that was placed before the Lord in the tabernacle, which David requests in his time of need.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_in_desperation.htm">God's Provision in Desperation</a></b><br>Even in dire circumstances, God provides for His people. David's request for bread shows reliance on God's provision through unexpected means.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mercy_over_ritual.htm">Mercy Over Ritual</a></b><br>The incident underscores the importance of mercy and human need over strict adherence to ritual, as later emphasized by Jesus.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>David's approach to Ahimelech demonstrates faith in action. He seeks help, trusting that God will provide through others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_priests.htm">The Role of Priests</a></b><br>Ahimelech's role highlights the priestly duty to serve and provide for those in need, even when the situation is unclear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Despite being anointed as king, David faces trials. This teaches us to trust in God's timing and plan, even when circumstances seem contrary.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_life-saving_above_religious_laws.htm">Is saving a life more important than religious laws?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_high_priest_when_david_ate_bread.htm">Who was high priest when David went into the House of GOD and ate the consecrated bread? Abiathar (Mark 2:26) Ahimelech, the father of Abiathar (I Samuel 1:1; 22:20)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_violate_the_sabbath_laws.htm">Did Jesus violate the Sabbath laws?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 3, 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What is under thine hand?</span> This does not mean that Ahimelech was himself carrying the shewbread out of the tabernacle, but simply, "What hast thou? The sense of the whole verse is, "Now, therefore, what hast thou at hand? Give me five loaves, or whatever there may be." Ahimelech answers, "There is no common bread at hand." I have no ordinary food; there is only <span class="cmt_word">hallowed bread,</span> that is, the shewbread, which, after remaining in Jehovah's presence from sabbath to sabbath, was then to be eaten by the priests in the holy place (<a href="/leviticus/24-8.htm">Leviticus 24:8, 9</a>). As Ahimelech could not venture to refuse David's request, he asks if his attendants are at least ceremonially clean, as in that case the urgency of the king's business might excuse the breach of the letter of the commandment. Our Lord in <a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">Matthew 12:3</a> cites this as a case in which the inward spirit of the law was kept, and the violation of its literal precept thereby justified. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/21-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now then,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you have</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵּ֧שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> </span><span class="str2">Being, substance, existence, is</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּֽחַת־</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hand?</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדְךָ֛</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Give [me]</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּנָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(tə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">five [loaves of]</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמִשָּׁה־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·miš·šāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2568.htm">Strong's 2568: </a> </span><span class="str2">Five</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bread,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶ֖חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whatever can be found.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנִּמְצָֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(han·nim·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/21-3.htm">1 Samuel 21:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/21-3.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 21:3 Now therefore what is under your hand? (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:4" /></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>