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1 Samuel 21

15 verses

TL;DR

David goes to the priest Ahimelech at Nob to obtain holy bread and the sword of Goliath, then flees to Achish, the king of Gath, where he feigns madness to escape suspicion.

Summary

Seeking refuge, David arrives at Nob and approaches Ahimelech, who reluctantly gives him the sacred bread used on the altar and the famed sword of Goliath wrapped in a cloth. Grateful but fearful of Saul, David quickly departs for Gath, where the king Achish receives him with curiosity and suspicion, noting the legend of David’s victories. To protect himself, David pretends to be mad in front of Achish’s men, a tactic that keeps him safe for the time being. The chapter highlights David’s reliance on divine provision, his fear of Saul’s wrath, and the political maneuvering required to survive.

Outline
  1. David obtains holy bread and the sword of Goliath from Ahimelech at Nob.
  2. David flees to Achish, the king of Gath, and pretends madness to avoid detection.
  3. Achish expresses doubt about David’s true identity and purpose.
Themes
Divine provision under pressureFear and political intrigueFaithful reliance on God’s protection
Keywords
DavidAhimelechholy breadsword of GoliathAchishGathfearmadnessSaulpolitics
People
DavidAhimelechSaulDoegAchish
Places
NobGathValley of Elah
Things
Holy (show) breadSword of GoliathEphodCloth
Key Verses
  • 1 Samuel 21:6: Illustrates divine provision of the holy bread when David is in need.
  • 1 Samuel 21:9: Shows David obtaining the sword of Goliath, a powerful symbol of victory.
  • 1 Samuel 21:10: Marks the pivotal decision for David to flee to Achish for safety.
Questions
  • What motivates David to seek aid from a priest rather than another ally?
  • How does the presence of the sword of Goliath influence David’s sense of security?
  • Why does Achish doubt David’s authenticity, and what does this reveal about political trust during that era?
Sentiment

mixed
Tension and fear coexist with moments of divine aid and clever survival strategies.