1 Samuel 21:1

ยถ Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why [art] thou alone, and no man with thee?

Then came {H935} David {H1732} to Nob {H5011} to Ahimelech {H288} the priest {H3548}: and Ahimelech {H288} was afraid {H2729} at the meeting {H7125} of David {H1732}, and said {H559} unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man {H376} with thee?

David went to see Achimelekh the cohen in Nov. Achimelekh came trembling to meet David and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?"

Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, โ€œWhy are you alone? Why is no one with you?โ€

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?

Commentary

1 Samuel 21:1 opens a pivotal chapter in the life of David, marking a moment of profound desperation and flight from King Saul's murderous jealousy. This verse sets the scene for David's encounter with Ahimelech, the high priest at Nob, a city designated for priests.

Context of David's Flight

At this point in the narrative, David is no longer the celebrated hero of Israel but a hunted fugitive. King Saul's irrational paranoia and envy have escalated, leading him to repeatedly attempt David's life (1 Samuel 19:10). David's flight from Saul was confirmed by his closest friend, Jonathan, who helped him escape (1 Samuel 20:42). David arrives at Nob, a significant religious center where the Tabernacle and its sacred implements were likely located, seeking refuge and provisions.

Ahimelech's Fear and David's Solitude

The verse highlights Ahimelech's immediate reaction: "Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David." This fear, expressed by the Hebrew word charad (ื—ึธืจึทื“), suggests more than mere surprise; it implies a trembling or apprehension. David's usual retinue of warriors and attendants would have been substantial. His appearance "alone, and no man with thee" was highly unusual and deeply suspicious, signaling that something was gravely wrong with his standing with King Saul. Ahimelech's question, "Why [art] thou alone, and no man with thee?" underscores the gravity of David's solitary and desperate state, hinting at the political turmoil that David was now entangled in.

Key Themes and Significance

  • Desperation and Vulnerability: David, the future king, is reduced to a solitary wanderer, relying on the goodwill of others. This emphasizes his complete dependence on divine providence even in dire circumstances.
  • The Sanctuary as a Refuge: David seeks help from the priesthood, illustrating the role of the religious sanctuary as a place of potential aid and spiritual authority, though in this case, it tragically leads to the slaughter of the priests of Nob later by Saul.
  • The Weight of Royal Persecution: Saul's unrighteous pursuit of David creates a ripple effect of fear and danger for anyone associated with David, as seen in Ahimelech's immediate apprehension.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even those chosen for great purposes can experience periods of extreme vulnerability and isolation. David's desperate arrival at Nob, stripped of his prestige and surrounded by fear, mirrors times in our own lives when we may feel utterly alone and in precarious situations. It highlights the importance of seeking help, even when it means admitting weakness, and the unexpected challenges that can arise from unforeseen circumstances. The fear of Ahimelech also serves as a poignant reminder that our actions, especially those of leaders, can have far-reaching and often tragic consequences for innocent people.

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Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 11:32 (6 votes)

    [And] at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

  • 1 Samuel 14:3 (5 votes)

    And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

  • Isaiah 10:32 (5 votes)

    As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand [against] the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

  • 1 Samuel 16:4 (5 votes)

    And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

  • Mark 2:26 (5 votes)

    How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

  • 1 Samuel 22:9 (2 votes)

    Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

  • 1 Samuel 22:19 (2 votes)

    And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.