1 Samuel 21:3

Now therefore what is under thine hand? give [me] five [loaves of] bread in mine hand, or what there is present.

Now therefore what is {H3426} under thine hand {H3027}? give {H5414} me five {H2568} loaves of bread {H3899} in mine hand {H3027}, or what there is present {H4672}.

Now, what do you have on hand? If you can spare five loaves of bread, give them to me, or whatever there is."

Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”

Now therefore what is under thy hand? give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatsoever there is present.

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 21:3

This verse finds David in a moment of extreme desperation and peril. Having fled from King Saul's relentless pursuit to kill him, David arrives alone at Nob, the city of priests, where the Tabernacle was located. He presents himself to Ahimelech, the high priest, feigning a secret mission from the king to explain his solitary, urgent presence and his need for provisions. In this specific verse, David, famished and without supplies, directly asks Ahimelech for whatever food is available, emphasizing his immediate and dire need for sustenance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Desperation and Survival: David's plea highlights the raw human need for food in a life-threatening situation. His urgency reflects the precariousness of his position as a fugitive.
  • Resourcefulness Under Pressure: David, though in dire straits, actively seeks a solution to his hunger, turning to the religious authorities for help. This foreshadows his leadership qualities even in adversity.
  • Divine Provision (Indirect): Although obtained through an unusual circumstance (and David's deception), the provision of food ultimately points to God's care for His anointed, even when human laws are bent due to extreme necessity. This event is notably referenced by Jesus in Matthew 12:3-4 to illustrate the principle that mercy and necessity can supersede ritualistic adherence to the law.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "what is under thine hand?" is an idiom meaning "what is at your disposal" or "what do you have readily available?" It underscores David's immediate and pragmatic request, not for specific items, but for anything Ahimelech could offer. Similarly, "what there is present" reinforces the idea of taking whatever is on hand, indicating David's profound hunger and lack of choice.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 21:3 reminds us of the stark realities of human need and the lengths to which individuals may go for survival. It also subtly introduces the theme of necessity overriding strict adherence to ritual law, a concept later expounded by Jesus. For believers, it can be a comfort that God understands and provides for desperate situations, sometimes in unexpected ways. It also challenges us to consider the spirit of compassion and meeting immediate needs, rather than rigidly adhering to rules when life and well-being are at stake.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 21:4 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Isaiah 3:6 (2 votes)

    When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, [saying], Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and [let] this ruin [be] under thy hand:

  • Judges 9:29 (2 votes)

    And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.