1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech came to meet David trembling, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then came H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- to Nob H5011 (נֹב) — Nob, a place in Palestine
- to Ahimelech H288 (אֲחִימֶלֶךְ) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite
- the priest H3548 (כֹּהֵן) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
- and Ahimelech H288 (אֲחִימֶלֶךְ) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite
- was afraid H2729 (חָרַד) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
- at the meeting H7125 (קִרְאָה) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
- of David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- and said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- thou alone, and no man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know anything of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- unto Ahimelech H288 (אֲחִימֶלֶךְ) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite
- the priest H3548 (כֹּהֵן) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
- The king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- hath commanded H6680 (צָוָה) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
- me a business H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- and hath said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- unto me, Let no man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- any thing H3972 (מְאוּמָה) — properly, a speck or point, i.e. (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
- of the business H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- whereabout I send H7971 (שָׁלַח) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
- thee, and what I have commanded H6680 (צָוָה) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
- thee: and I have appointed H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- servants H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
- to such H6423 (פְּלֹנִי) — such a one, i.e. a specified person
- and such H492 (אַלְמֹנִי) — some one (i.e. so and so, without giving the name of the person or place)
- a place H4725 (מָקוֹם) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
3 Now therefore what is under thy hand? give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatsoever there is present.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Now therefore what is H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- under thine hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- five H2568 (חָמֵשׁ) — five
- bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- in mine hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- or what there is present H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And the priest H3548 (כֹּהֵן) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
- answered H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
- David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- and said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- no common H2455 (חֹל) — properly, exposed; hence, profane
- bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- under mine hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- but there is H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- hallowed H6944 (קֹדֶשׁ) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
- if the young men H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
- have kept H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- themselves at least H389 (אַךְ) — a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
- from women H802 (אִשָּׁה) — a woman
5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days; when I came out, the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was but a common journey; how much more then to-day shall their vessels be holy?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- answered H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
- the priest H3548 (כֹּהֵן) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
- and said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- unto him, Of a truth H518 (אִם) — used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
- women H802 (אִשָּׁה) — a woman
- kept H6113 (עָצָר) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
- from us about these three H8032 (שִׁלְשׁוֹם) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday
- days H8543 (תְּמוֹל) — properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
- since I came out H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
- and the vessels H3627 (כְּלִי) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
- of the young men H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
- are holy H6944 (קֹדֶשׁ) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
- in a manner H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- common H2455 (חֹל) — properly, exposed; hence, profane
- yea, though it were sanctified H6942 (קָדַשׁ) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
- this day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- in the vessel H3627 (כְּלִי) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
6 So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread, that was taken from before Jehovah, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- So the priest H3548 (כֹּהֵן) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
- gave H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- him hallowed H6944 (קֹדֶשׁ) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
- for there was no bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- there but the shewbread H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- there but the shewbread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- that was taken H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
- from before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- to put H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
- hot H2527 (חֹם) — heat
- bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- in the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- when it was taken away H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Jehovah; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chiefest of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Now a certain man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- of the servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- of Saul H7586 (שָׁאוּל) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
- there that day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- detained H6113 (עָצָר) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
- before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- and his name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
- Doeg H1673 (דֹּאֵג) — Doeg, an Edomite
- an Edomite H130 (אֱדֹמִי) — an Edomite, or descendants from (or inhabitants of) Edom
- the chiefest H47 (אַבִּיר)
- of the herdmen H7462 (רָעָה) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
- to Saul H7586 (שָׁאוּל) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thy hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- unto Ahimelech H288 (אֲחִימֶלֶךְ) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite
- And is there H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- not H371 (אִין) — is it not?
- here under thine hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- spear H2595 (חֲנִית) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
- or sword H2719 (חֶרֶב) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
- for I have neither brought H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- my sword H2719 (חֶרֶב) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
- nor my weapons H3627 (כְּלִי) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
- with me H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- because the king’s H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- business H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- required H1961 (הָיָה) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
- haste H5169 (נָחַץ) — to be urgent
9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the vale of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it; for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And the priest H3548 (כֹּהֵן) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
- said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- The sword H2719 (חֶרֶב) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
- of Goliath H1555 (גׇּלְיַת) — Goljath, a Philistine
- the Philistine H6430 (פְּלִשְׁתִּי) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
- whom thou slewest H5221 (נָכָה) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
- in the valley H6010 (עֵמֶק) — a vale (i.e. broad depression)
- of Elah H425 (אֵלָה) — Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine
- wrapped H3874 (לוּט) — to wrap up
- in a cloth H8071 (שִׂמְלָה) — a dress, especially a mantle
- behind H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
- the ephod H646 (אֵפוֹד) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
- if thou wilt take H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- that, take H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- no other H312 (אַחֵר) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.
- save H2108 (זוּלָה) — probably scattering, i.e. removal; used adverbially, except
- that here H2088 (זֶה) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
- And David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- none like that; give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- arose H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
- and fled H1272 (בָּרַח) — to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly
- that day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- for fear H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- of Saul H7586 (שָׁאוּל) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
- and went H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- to Achish H397 (אֲכִישׁ) — Akish, a Philistine king
- the king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- of Gath H1661 (גַּת) — Gath, a Philistine city
11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And the servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- of Achish H397 (אֲכִישׁ) — Akish, a Philistine king
- said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- not this David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- the king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- of the land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- did they not sing H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
- one to another of him H2088 (זֶה) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
- in dances H4246 (מְחֹלָה) — a dance
- saying H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- Saul H7586 (שָׁאוּל) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
- hath slain H5221 (נָכָה) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
- his thousands H505 (אֶלֶף) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
- and David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- his ten thousands H7233 (רְבָבָה) — abundance (in number), i.e. (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite)
12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
- laid up H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
- these words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- in his heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
- and was sore H3966 (מְאֹד) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlativ…
- afraid H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
- of H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- Achish H397 (אֲכִישׁ) — Akish, a Philistine king
- the king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- of Gath H1661 (גַּת) — Gath, a Philistine city
13 And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And he changed H8138 (שָׁנָה) — to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)
- his behaviour H2940 (טַעַם) — properly, a taste, i.e. (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate
- before H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- them, and feigned himself mad H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
- in their hands H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- and scrabbled H8427 (תָּוָה) — to mark out, i.e. (primitive) scratch or (definite) imprint
- on the doors H1817 (דֶּלֶת) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of a door
- of the gate H8179 (שַׁעַר) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
- and let his spittle H7388 (רִיר) — saliva; by resemblance, broth
- fall down H3381 (יָרַד) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively,…
- upon his beard H2206 (זָקָן) — the beard (as indicating age)
14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad; wherefore then have ye brought him to me?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- Achish H397 (אֲכִישׁ) — Akish, a Philistine king
- unto his servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- Lo, ye see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- the man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- is mad H7696 (שָׁגַע) — to rave through insanity
- have ye brought H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
15 Do I lack madmen, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Have I need H2638 (חָסֵר) — lacking; hence, without
- of mad men H7696 (שָׁגַע) — to rave through insanity
- that ye have brought H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- to play the mad man H7696 (שָׁגַע) — to rave through insanity
- come H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- into my house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)