1 samuel 21:8 - David said to Ahimelech, “Isn’t there here under your hand spear or sword? For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.”
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What does "1 samuel 21:8" mean?
This verse (1 Samuel 21:8) reveals David's urgent need for a weapon and provides insight into his explanation for why he's unarmed. Let's break it down:
"David said to Ahimelech, 'Isn’t there here under your hand spear or sword?'": David is asking Ahimelech, the priest at Nob, if he has any weapons available. The phrase "under your hand" is a common idiom meaning "available to you" or "in your possession."
"For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me,": David explains that he doesn't have his usual weapons. This is unusual for a seasoned warrior like David, who was often depicted with his sword.
"because the king’s business required haste.": This is David's excuse for his lack of weapons. He claims he was on a secret, urgent mission for King Saul, so he didn't have time to gather his equipment. This is very likely a lie to protect himself. The truth is that David was fleeing from Saul, who was trying to kill him.
In essence, the verse highlights:
David's vulnerability: He's on the run and desperate for a weapon.
David's deception: He's using a false story to manipulate Ahimelech into helping him. This marks the beginning of a series of deceptions that David employs to survive.
The urgency of David's situation: The "king's business" requiring haste implies a critical and immediate need, which is why he supposedly couldn't bring his weapons. This, again, is a lie designed to elicit sympathy and assistance.
The verse is significant because it sets the stage for the subsequent events in the chapter, where David obtains Goliath's sword, which is crucial for his survival. It also foreshadows the consequences of David's lies, as Ahimelech and his family are later killed because of their association with David (1 Samuel 22).
1 samuel 21:8 - David said to Ahimelech, “Isn’t there here under your hand spear or sword? For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.”
What does "1 samuel 21:8" mean?
This verse (1 Samuel 21:8) reveals David's urgent need for a weapon and provides insight into his explanation for why he's unarmed. Let's break it down:
"David said to Ahimelech, 'Isn’t there here under your hand spear or sword?'": David is asking Ahimelech, the priest at Nob, if he has any weapons available. The phrase "under your hand" is a common idiom meaning "available to you" or "in your possession."
"For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me,": David explains that he doesn't have his usual weapons. This is unusual for a seasoned warrior like David, who was often depicted with his sword.
"because the king’s business required haste.": This is David's excuse for his lack of weapons. He claims he was on a secret, urgent mission for King Saul, so he didn't have time to gather his equipment. This is very likely a lie to protect himself. The truth is that David was fleeing from Saul, who was trying to kill him.
In essence, the verse highlights:
David's vulnerability: He's on the run and desperate for a weapon.
David's deception: He's using a false story to manipulate Ahimelech into helping him. This marks the beginning of a series of deceptions that David employs to survive.
The urgency of David's situation: The "king's business" requiring haste implies a critical and immediate need, which is why he supposedly couldn't bring his weapons. This, again, is a lie designed to elicit sympathy and assistance.
The verse is significant because it sets the stage for the subsequent events in the chapter, where David obtains Goliath's sword, which is crucial for his survival. It also foreshadows the consequences of David's lies, as Ahimelech and his family are later killed because of their association with David (1 Samuel 22).