Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 21
Overview
Sa1 21:1, David at Nob obtains of Ahimelech hallowed bread; Sa1 21:7, Doeg is present; Sa1 21:8, David takes Goliath's sword; Sa1 21:10, David at Gath feigns himself mad.
Nob: Nob appears to have been a sacerdotal city of Benjamin or Ephraim. Jerome says, that in his time the ruins of it might be seen not far from Diospolis or Lydda. But the Rabbins assert that Jerusalem might be seen from this town. The tabernacle resided some time at Nob; and after it was destroyed, it was removed to Gibeon; "and the day of Nob and Gibeon were fifty-seven years." Maimonides in Bethhabbechirah, c. 1. Sa1 22:19; Neh 11:32; Isa 10:32
to Ahimelech: Sa1 14:3, called Ahiah, Sa1 22:9-19, called also Abiathar, Mar 2:26
afraid: Sa1 16:4
The king: The whole of this is a gross falsehood; and which was attended with the most fatal consequences. It is well known that from all antiquity it was held no crime to tell a lie in order to save life. Thus Diphilon Υπολαμβανω το ψευδας επι σωτηρια λεγομενον, ουδεν περιποιεισθαι δυσχερες. "I hold it right to tell a lie for safety. nothing should be avoided to save life." A heathen may say or sing thus, but no Christian can act thus and save his soul, though he may save his life. Sa1 19:17, Sa1 22:22; Gen 27:20, Gen 27:24; Kg1 13:18; Psa 119:29; Gal 2:12; Col 3:9
under thine: Sa1 21:4; Jdg 9:29; Isa 3:6
present: Heb. found
hallowed bread: Sa1 21:6; Exo 25:30; Lev 24:5-9; Mat 12:3, Mat 12:4
if the young: Exo 19:15; Zac 7:3; Co1 7:5
the vessels: Act 9:15; Th1 4:3, Th1 4:4; Ti2 2:20, Ti2 2:21; Pe1 3:17
in a manner: Lev 24:9
though it were sanctified this day in the vessel: or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel. Lev 8:26
gave him: Mat 12:3, Mat 12:4; Mar 2:25-27; Luk 6:3, Luk 6:4
hot bread: Lev 24:5-9
detained: Jer 7:9-11; Eze 33:31; Amo 8:5; Mat 15:8; Act 21:26, Act 21:27
Doeg: Sa1 22:9; Psa 52:1 *title
herdmen: Sa1 11:5; Gen 13:7, Gen 13:8, Gen 26:20; Ch1 27:29; Ch2 26:10
The sword: Sa1 17:51-54
the valley: Sa1 17:2, Sa1 17:50
behold: Sa1 31:10
behind: Exo 28:6-14
fled: Sa1 27:1; Kg1 19:3; Jer 26:21
Achish: or, Abimelech, Sa1 27:2; Psa 34:1 *title
Gath: Jerome says there was a large town called Gath, in the way from Eleutheropolis to Gaza; and Eusebius speaks of another Gath, five miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Lydda (and consequently different from that mentioned by Jerome); and also of another Gath, between Jamnia and Antipatris. It appears to have been the extreme boundary of the Philistine territory in one direction, as Ekron was on the other (Sa1 7:14; Sa1 17:52), and lay near Mareshah (Ch2 11:8. Mic 1:14), which agrees pretty well with the position assigned it by Jerome. But Reland and Dr. Wells agree with Eusebius; and the authors of the Universal History (b. i. c. 7) place it about six miles form Jamnia, fourteen south of Joppa, and thirty-two west of Jerusalem.
the servants: Psa 56:1 *title
the king: Sa1 16:1, Sa1 18:7, Sa1 18:8, Sa1 29:5
laid up: Psa 119:11; Luk 2:19, Luk 2:51
sore: Sa1 21:10; Gen 12:11-13, Gen 26:7; Psa 34:4, Psa 56:3
changed: Psa 34:1 *title Pro 29:25; Ecc 7:7
scrabbled: or, made marks
is mad: or, playeth the madman, Ecc 7:7