The Way
The Holy Bread of Nob and Goliath's Sword
Holy bread for a hungry fugitive, and what it cost
Story
Having slipped away from Saul's court, David arrived empty-handed at the sanctuary of Nob. The priest Ahimelech came out trembling to meet him. “Why are you alone?” Ahimelech asked. “Is no one with you?” David made up a story: “The king has sent me on a secret errand. Just give me five loaves of bread.” There was nothing in the sanctuary but the holy bread that had just been removed. Ahimelech handed David the bread that had been replaced with fresh loaves before the Lord.
David asked again, “Is there a spear or a sword here? The king's business was so urgent I didn't even bring my sword.” Ahimelech answered, “The sword of Goliath, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod.” David said, “There is none like it. Give it to me.” But someone else was there that day: Doeg the Edomite, chief of Saul's shepherds. Doeg watched it all without a word.
Some time later Doeg reported to Saul what he had seen that day. At Saul's command, Doeg killed eighty-five priests. Only Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, escaped and ran to David. David said to Abiathar, “When I saw Doeg there that day, I knew this would happen. Your father's whole family is dead because of me. Stay with me. You are safe here.” Later David sang of Doeg, “Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man?”
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and David
When I saw Doeg the Edomite there that day, I knew he would surely tell Saul. The death of your father's whole family is on me.
Don't be afraid; stay with me. The one who is after your life is after mine too. With me you will be safe.
There is no sword like it anywhere. Give it to me.
Who among all your servants is as faithful as David? He is the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and honored in your house.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Sam 21:1–9; 22:6–23
Background
The bread of the Presence was twelve loaves set out fresh each Sabbath on the table in the sanctuary, and the loaves that were removed could be eaten only by priests (Lev 24:5–9). Jesus pointed to this event in a dispute about the Sabbath (Mark 2:25–26).
Pause and Reflect
Have words I blurted out in fear hurt someone else?