1 Samuel 21

1. Nob. Nob is supposed to have been in the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem, near the northern end of the Mount of Olives: see Isa. x. 32.

2. The king hath commanded, etc. David’s conduct at Nob, and some other of his actions about this period, indicate a low state of religious feeling, and a want of that confidence in God which at other times so much distinguished him. He evidently needed all the discipline of subsequent years, with much of the influence of the Spirit of God.

5 and [the bread is] in a manner common. The A.V. marg. reads: “the shewbread for which I ask may be regarded as common, as there is now a fresh supply of hallowed bread in the vessel.”

6 the shewbread. The shewbread taken from the table was appropriated exclusively to the priests and their families; but Moses distinctly taught that ritual observances ought to give place to moral duties. Our Lord alludes to this in Mark ii. 25. Ahimelech seems to have yielded out of respect to the pretended royal command. The day was the Sabbath, for the old bread had just been removed from the table: see Lev. xxiv. 8.

7 detained before the Lord. Doeg may possibly have been detained on his way to Gibeah by some vow or purification, or by the occurrence of the Sabbath.

11. Is not this David the king? David was widely known to be the destined king of Israel.

13 feigned himself mad. A stratagem which cannot be justified. David’s motive may have been twofold; the reverence with which the insane are regarded in the East, and the security which would result from his being considered harmless. He may also have calculated on being dismissed from Gath, as actually happened.

in their hands. That is, when taken by them. See the superscription of Psa. lvi., which is supposed to have been written upon this occasion. See also the title of Psa. xxxiv., where the royal name Ahimelech is used for the personal name Achish. scrabbled. “Scrawled.”