And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.
The priest replied to David, 'I don't have any ordinary bread here with me, but I do have sacred bread. I can give it to you if your men have kept themselves pure by not being with women.'
The priest tells David he only has holy bread available, but he's willing to bend the religious rules if David's men have maintained ritual purity.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, David was fleeing for his life from King Saul and arrived at the town of Nob, where he met the priest Ahimelech while pretending to be on a secret mission. David requested bread for himself and his men, but the priest only had the consecrated showbread, which was set aside for the priests as part of Israel's religious practices in the tabernacle. This moment highlights the cultural emphasis on holiness and purity under the Mosaic law, as Ahimelech imposed a condition to ensure David's group was ceremonially clean.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.