1 Samuel 21 1

1 Samuel 21:1 kjv

Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?

1 Samuel 21:1 nkjv

Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no one is with you?"

1 Samuel 21:1 niv

David went to Nob, to Ahimelek the priest. Ahimelek trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?"

1 Samuel 21:1 esv

Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David, trembling, and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no one with you?"

1 Samuel 21:1 nlt

David went to the town of Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he saw him. "Why are you alone?" he asked. "Why is no one with you?"

1 Samuel 21 verses

1 Samuel 21 1 Meaning

1 Samuel 21:1 records the moment David arrived at Nob seeking help from Ahimelech the high priest. It immediately highlights David's dire and unusual circumstances—he is alone, without his typical entourage, prompting Ahimelech to express surprise and concern at his solitary appearance. This verse marks the beginning of a crucial period in David's life as a fugitive, where he must rely on unconventional means and priestly assistance to survive.

1 Samuel 21 1 Context

1 Samuel 21:1 opens immediately after a tense and perilous sequence for David. In the preceding chapters (1 Sam 19-20), King Saul's jealousy and murderous intentions towards David have escalated dramatically. Saul has made multiple direct attempts on David's life, and Jonathan, David's loyal friend and Saul's son, has confirmed his father's unwavering resolve to kill David. Jonathan's heart-wrenching farewell to David (1 Sam 20:42) signals David's final break from the royal court and his transformation into a desperate fugitive. David is on the run, disoriented and alone, seeking refuge and provisions wherever he can find them. He has left all his military companions behind, underscoring his immediate danger and the necessity for stealth. Nob was a Levitical city and the dwelling place of the tabernacle, where the high priest resided and the holy articles, including the showbread and Goliath's sword, were kept. This context highlights David's extreme vulnerability and his reliance on sacred provisions and priestly authority to sustain his flight from Saul.

1 Samuel 21 1 Word analysis

• Then came David: This opening phrase signifies an immediate and urgent movement following the events of Chapter 20. "Came" (bô') implies arrival with purpose, albeit desperate, underscoring the swift and abrupt nature of David's flight. He doesn't hesitate; his survival depends on quick action.
• to Nob: Nob (נֹב, Nob) was a priestly city, a Levitical settlement, located relatively close to Saul's capital, Gibeah, perhaps 5-6 miles north. It housed the Tabernacle (which likely moved after Shiloh's destruction, 1 Sam 4:10-11) and the priests who administered its rites. This location being David's first stop indicates his urgent need for sanctuary, provisions, and perhaps even divine counsel, only accessible through the priesthood.
• to Ahimelech the priest: Ahimelech (אֲחִימֶלֶךְ, 'Aḥîmeleḵ) was the high priest, a descendant of Eli through Ahitub (1 Sam 14:3, 22:9). He was the guardian of the holy things, including the consecrated showbread and Goliath's sword. David seeking him out directly reflects his recognition of Ahimelech's religious authority and access to the sacred provisions necessary for survival.
• and Ahimelech was afraid (וַיֶּחֱרַד אַחִימֶלֶךְ, vayyecherad 'achimelech): The Hebrew verb chârad (חָרַד) means to tremble, to be terrified, to quake, or to be in dread. It denotes an intense, almost physical, fear or alarm. This fear was likely born out of David's unexpected solitary arrival. A military commander of David's stature would normally travel with a retinue, especially if on official business. His being alone suggested something seriously amiss, possibly a calamity, a coup, or even a pursuit by Saul. Ahimelech's fear implies he was aware of the strained relations between David and Saul.
• at the meeting of David: Refers to their direct encounter. The circumstances of this "meeting" are what alarm Ahimelech, not necessarily David's person.
• and said unto him, "Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?": Ahimelech's immediate question cuts to the core of the alarming situation. His inquiry reveals deep concern and suspicion. It emphasizes David's extreme vulnerability and isolation, a powerful hero stripped of his usual military presence and courtly standing. The very lack of his customary retinue immediately signals distress, danger, or flight, raising immediate red flags for the discerning priest.

1 Samuel 21 1 Bonus section

The visit to Nob, despite its life-sustaining provision for David, ironically initiated one of the most tragic episodes in the early monarchy: the massacre of the priests of Nob by Doeg the Edomite (1 Sam 22:9-19). Doeg's betrayal, directly linked to David's interaction with Ahimelech, resulted in the execution of eighty-five priests, and the complete destruction of Nob, leaving only Abiathar (Ahimelech's son) to escape and eventually become David's priest. This shows the far-reaching and devastating consequences that arose from David's desperate moment and highlights the danger faced by anyone associated with him in his fugitive state.

1 Samuel 21 1 Commentary

1 Samuel 21:1 inaugurates a pivotal chapter in David's life, marking his abrupt transition from war hero and king's son-in-law to a hunted fugitive. His solitary arrival at Nob speaks volumes: it testifies to the suddenness and urgency of his flight from Saul's murderous rage, underscoring his utter desperation. Nob, a priestly city where the tabernacle was located, became David's first recourse, signifying his desperate need for not only physical sustenance and aid but perhaps also divine consultation via the high priest. Ahimelech's immediate reaction—fear—is insightful. It indicates a keen awareness of the perilous political climate and the potential ramifications of aiding anyone potentially at odds with King Saul. The priest's question, "Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?" highlights the abnormal and precarious nature of David's situation. This verse sets the stage for David's controversial act of consuming the holy bread and taking Goliath's sword, both actions born out of extreme duress and later interpreted by Jesus to illustrate the supremacy of human need and mercy over strict religious law. It portrays David not as a strategic military leader, but as a vulnerable man, utterly dependent on external aid and divine providence amidst intense persecution.