In 1 Samuel 21:3, David is speaking to Ahimelech the priest at Nob. He's essentially asking Ahimelech for food. Let's break it down:
"Now therefore what is under your hand?" This means, "What do you have available right now?" or "What provisions do you currently possess?" David is being discreet and not demanding. He's asking what's on hand rather than specifically asking for what he wants.
"Please give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever is available." This clarifies David's need. He would prefer five loaves of bread, but he's willing to take whatever food Ahimelech can spare. He's implying that he and his men are hungry and in need of sustenance.
Context is important:
David is on the run from King Saul, who is trying to kill him. David is acting with a degree of urgency and secrecy. He's pretending to be on a mission for Saul in order to get help from Ahimelech.
Therefore, the verse means:
David is urgently requesting Ahimelech to provide him with food, specifically five loaves of bread if possible, but is willing to accept any food that Ahimelech has available. He is doing this under the guise of being on a mission for King Saul.
In 1 Samuel 21:3, David is speaking to Ahimelech the priest at Nob. He's essentially asking Ahimelech for food. Let's break it down:
"Now therefore what is under your hand?" This means, "What do you have available right now?" or "What provisions do you currently possess?" David is being discreet and not demanding. He's asking what's on hand rather than specifically asking for what he wants.
"Please give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever is available." This clarifies David's need. He would prefer five loaves of bread, but he's willing to take whatever food Ahimelech can spare. He's implying that he and his men are hungry and in need of sustenance.
Context is important:
David is on the run from King Saul, who is trying to kill him. David is acting with a degree of urgency and secrecy. He's pretending to be on a mission for Saul in order to get help from Ahimelech.
Therefore, the verse means:
David is urgently requesting Ahimelech to provide him with food, specifically five loaves of bread if possible, but is willing to accept any food that Ahimelech has available. He is doing this under the guise of being on a mission for King Saul.