1 samuel 21:2 - 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.’

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 21:2

What does "1 samuel 21:2" mean?


This verse in 1 Samuel 21:2 is part of a larger narrative where David is fleeing from King Saul, who is trying to kill him. Let's break down what David is saying:

"David said to Ahimelech the priest...": This establishes the scene and the characters involved. David is seeking help from Ahimelech, the priest in Nob.

"The king has commanded me to do something...": This is the beginning of David's lie. He claims to be on a secret mission for King Saul.

"...and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you.’": This is the core of David's deception. He's pretending that Saul has told him to keep the mission secret. This explains why David is traveling alone and why he needs provisions.

"I have sent the young men to a certain place.’": This is another fabricated detail to explain why he doesn't have any companions with him. He suggests that his men are waiting for him elsewhere.

In summary, David is lying to Ahimelech to get food and weapons. He claims to be on a secret mission for King Saul to explain his unusual circumstances. This is a deliberate act of deception to ensure his survival while on the run from Saul.

Significance and Interpretation:

David's Weakness: This passage is often interpreted as a moment of weakness and desperation for David. It shows that even a man of God can succumb to deceit under pressure.
Ahimelech's Kindness and Consequences: Ahimelech, believing David's lie, provides him with food and the sword of Goliath. This act of kindness later has tragic consequences, as Saul orders the deaths of Ahimelech and the other priests in Nob when he learns that they helped David (1 Samuel 22).
Moral Complexity: The story highlights the moral complexities of survival and the difficult choices people face in times of crisis.
Foreshadowing: Some see this act of deception as a foreshadowing of later sins in David's life.

The verse is a pivotal moment in the David and Saul narrative, marking a departure from David's earlier piety and setting in motion a chain of tragic events.

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