1 Samuel 21 3

1 Samuel 21:3 kjv

Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.

1 Samuel 21:3 nkjv

Now therefore, what have you on hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever can be found."

1 Samuel 21:3 niv

Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find."

1 Samuel 21:3 esv

Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here."

1 Samuel 21:3 nlt

Now, what is there to eat? Give me five loaves of bread or anything else you have."

1 Samuel 21 verses

1 Samuel 21 3 Meaning

David, in desperate flight from King Saul, urgently appeals to Ahimelech the priest for immediate provisions. He requests specifically five loaves of bread, or any other foodstuff that can be found at the sanctuary, falsely claiming to be on a secret royal mission to conceal his true perilous situation.

1 Samuel 21 3 Context

This verse occurs during a desperate phase in David's life. He is fleeing from King Saul, who has grown intensely jealous and murderous (1 Sam 19-20). David has just had his final, painful parting with Jonathan, realizing his life is truly in danger. He arrives alone, weaponless and without provisions, at Nob, the city of priests where the Tabernacle, or Tent of Meeting, was located at that time. To explain his solitary appearance and urgent need for provisions, David fabricates a story about being on a secret mission for King Saul. Verse 3 directly articulates David's plea for sustenance within this fabricated narrative. The availability of the holy bread (showbread) at the sanctuary is central to this request and its later theological significance.

1 Samuel 21 3 Word analysis

• Now therefore (וְעַתָּה וְעַתָּה - v'attah v'attah, "and now, and now"): A strong conjunctive adverb phrase signaling a transition from explanation (David's supposed mission) to direct request. It implies urgency and logical progression from his previous statements, emphasizing the immediate need to move to action.
• what have you at hand? (מַה־יֵּשׁ בְּיָדְךָ - mah-yesh b'yadecha): Literally, "what is in your hand?" This is a direct inquiry about the priest's immediate resources or available possessions. It conveys practicality and urgency, focusing on what can be immediately dispensed, not what needs to be prepared. "Hand" signifies power, ability, or control over resources.
• Give me (תֵּן לִי - ten li): A concise, direct imperative verb. It shows the urgency and dire straits David is in, or at least the urgent nature of the 'mission' he claims to be on.
• five loaves of bread, (חֲמֵשׁ לֶחֶם - chamesh lechem): "Chamesh" means five; "lechem" is the common word for bread or food in general, often translated as 'bread'. Five loaves signify a specific, yet reasonable, quantity for himself and the "young men" he claims are with him. Bread is the fundamental sustenance.
• or whatever can be found. (אֲשֶׁר יִמָּצֵא - asher yimatzei): This phrase reveals the depth of David's need and desperation. It demonstrates flexibility; while he suggests five loaves, he is open to any available food, highlighting his hunger and the lack of other options. "Can be found" implies existing stock, not something to be prepared, again emphasizing immediacy.

• "Now therefore, what have you at hand? Give me...": This sequence of phrases encapsulates the compelling nature of David's request. It combines an assertive transition with a practical query about resources, immediately followed by a direct plea for sustenance. This verbal framing reflects the calculated deception and David's desperate need.
• "five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found": This group of words emphasizes the contrast between a specific quantity requested and the ultimate underlying desperation. While "five loaves" sounds like a strategic, planned provision for a mission, the immediate qualification "or whatever can be found" betrays the true state of hunger and an absolute lack of other choices. It signals that David's actual priority is simply getting any food.

1 Samuel 21 3 Bonus section

The immediate consequence of David's request for food was not only the acquisition of sustenance but also the very act of receiving the consecrated showbread from Ahimelech. This bread, typically reserved only for the priests, symbolized God's holy presence and covenant. The provision of it to David, a non-priest, because of his feigned urgency and perceived royal mission, underlines the unique circumstances that necessity created. This unusual transaction, spurred by David's deception and Ahimelech's unwitting charity, forms a crucial precedent later referenced by Jesus (Matthew 12:3-4), establishing a principle that human life and urgent need can override strict adherence to ceremonial law. Furthermore, the lie about having no weapons ultimately leads to David receiving Goliath's sword, an ironical twist of providence where God supplies David through the very item tied to his past victory. However, the shadow of this event is also long, as the information gained from David's visit through Doeg the Edomite ultimately leads to the tragic slaughter of Ahimelech and the priests of Nob by Saul (1 Samuel 22:9-19), highlighting the grave and unforeseen consequences of deception.

1 Samuel 21 3 Commentary

This verse captures David's desperate state and his cunning strategy while fleeing Saul. He resorts to deception, presenting himself as an agent on a secret royal mission, to elicit assistance from Ahimelech. The request for five loaves, or simply "whatever can be found," underlines his severe hunger and lack of provisions, indicating that his survival is at stake. This moment is not just about physical sustenance; it foreshadows a profound theological discussion when Jesus later references David's actions regarding the holy bread. It demonstrates that in times of extreme human need, the letter of the law regarding ritual observance may be superseded by the spirit of mercy and preservation of life. While David's lie is morally questionable, it is met with divine provision through the unwitting Ahimelech, showcasing God's care for David even in his moral failings, while setting into motion a chain of tragic consequences for the priest later on.