Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version David answered Ahimelek the priest, “The king sent me on a mission and said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about the mission I am sending you on.’ As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. New Living Translation “The king has sent me on a private matter,” David said. “He told me not to tell anyone why I am here. I have told my men where to meet me later. English Standard Version And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, ‘Let no one know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.’ I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place. Berean Standard Bible “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. Berean Literal Bible And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has ordered me on some business and said to me, ‘No man is to know anything about the business on which I send you, and about which I have commanded you.’ And I have directed the young men to such and such a place. King James Bible And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. New King James Version So David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.’ And I have directed my young men to such and such a place. New American Standard Bible David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ NASB 1995 David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ NASB 1977 And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter, and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ Legacy Standard Bible And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commanded me with a matter and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commanded you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ Amplified Bible David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has told me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter for which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you. I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ Berean Annotated Bible “The king has given me a mission, David (beloved) replied (my brother is king). “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. Christian Standard Bible David answered the priest Ahimelech, “The king gave me a mission, but he told me, ‘Don’t let anyone know anything about the mission I’m sending you on or what I have ordered you to do.’ I have stationed my young men at a certain place. Holman Christian Standard Bible David answered Ahimelech the priest, “The king gave me a mission, but he told me, ‘Don’t let anyone know anything about the mission I’m sending you on or what I have ordered you to do.’ I have stationed my young men at a certain place. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version "I'm on a mission for King Saul," David answered. "He ordered me not to tell anyone what the mission is all about, so I ordered my soldiers to stay somewhere else. English Revised Version And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation "The king ordered me to do something," David answered the priest Ahimelech, "and he told me, 'No one must know anything about this mission I'm sending you on and about the orders I've given you. I've stationed my young men at a certain place.' " Good News Translation "I am here on the king's business," David answered. "He told me not to let anyone know what he sent me to do. As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. International Standard Version David told Ahimelech the priest, "The king commanded me about a matter, saying to me, 'Don't let anyone know anything about the matter I'm sending you to do and about which I've commanded you. I've directed the young men to a certain place.' NET Bible David replied to Ahimelech the priest, "The king instructed me to do something, but he said to me, 'Don't let anyone know the reason I am sending you or the instructions I have given you.' I have told my soldiers to wait at a certain place. New Heart English Bible And David said to the priest, "The king has given me orders, and he instructed me, ‘No one must know of the matter about which I send you, or about your orders; and I have arranged to meet the young men at a certain place.’ Webster's Bible Translation And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. World English Bible David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commanded me to do something, and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you. I have sent the young men to a certain place.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David says to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commanded me [on] a matter, and he says to me, Let no man know anything of the matter about which I send you, and which I have commanded you; and [my] young men know [to go] to such and such a place. Berean Literal Bible And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has ordered me on some business and said to me, ‘No man is to know anything about the business on which I send you, and about which I have commanded you.’ And I have directed the young men to such and such a place. Young's Literal Translation And David saith to Ahimelech the priest, 'The king hath commanded me a matter, and he saith unto me, Let no man know anything of the matter about which I am sending thee, and which I have commanded thee; and the young men I have caused to know at such and such a place; Smith's Literal Translation Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David said to Achimelech the priest: The king hath commanded me a business, and said: Let no man know the thing for which thou art sent by me, and what manner of commands I have given thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. Catholic Public Domain Version And David said to the priest Ahimelech: “The king has instructed to me a word, and he said: ‘Let no one know the matter about which you have been sent by me, and what type of instructions I have given to you. For I have also summoned servants to one and another place.’ New American Bible David answered the priest: “The king gave me a commission and told me, ‘Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I have sent you or the commission I have given you.’ For that reason I have arranged a particular meeting place with my men. New Revised Standard Version David said to the priest Ahimelech, “The king has charged me with a matter, and said to me, ‘No one must know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.’ I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd David said to Ahimeleck the priest, The king has entrusted me with a matter, and has said to me, Let no man know the thing for which I send you, and what I have commanded you; and I have stationed my servants at hidden and obscure places. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David came to Nakakh to Akhimelek the Priest, and Akhimelek was sorry at the meeting of David, and he said to him: “Why have you come alone? You have come and no man is with you!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David said unto Ahimelech the priest: 'The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me: Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee; and the young men have I appointed to such and such a place. Brenton Septuagint Translation And David said to the priest, The king gave me a command to-day, and said to me, Let no one know the matter on which I send thee, an concerning which I have charged thee: and I have charged my servants to be in the place that is called, The faithfulness of God, phellani maemoni. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Takes the Consecrated Bread1Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” 2“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission or charge. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. 3Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”… Cross References “The king has given me a mission,” 1 Samuel 18:5 So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well. 1 Samuel 18:13-14 Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, / and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him. 2 Kings 5:5-6 “Go now,” said the king of Aram, “and I will send you with a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman departed, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing. / And the letter that he took to the king of Israel stated: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman, so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” David replied. 1 Samuel 24:8-11 After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence / and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? / Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ … 1 Samuel 25:32-35 Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! / Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. / Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.” … 1 Samuel 17:28-30 Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!” / “What have I done now?” said David. “Was it not just a question?” / Then he turned from him toward another and asked about the offer, and those people answered him just as the first ones had answered. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. 1 Samuel 16:2-3 “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ / Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.” 2 Kings 9:1-3 Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. / When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. / Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!” Judges 3:19-20 But upon reaching the idols near Gilgal, he himself turned back and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” “Silence,” said the king, and all his attendants left him. / Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in the coolness of his upper room. “I have a word from God for you,” Ehud said, and the king rose from his seat. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.” 1 Samuel 20:35-42 In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for the appointment with David, and a small boy was with him. / He said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I shoot.” And as the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. / When the boy reached the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called to him, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?” … Luke 22:10-13 He answered, “When you enter the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters, / and say to the owner of that house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ / And he will show you a large upper room, already furnished. Make preparations there.” … 1 Samuel 25:5-8 So David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name / and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and to your house and to all that belongs to you. / Now I hear that it is time for shearing. When your shepherds were with us, we did not harass them, and nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel. … 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’ 1 Samuel 22:22 Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house. 1 Samuel 19:2 so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there. 1 Samuel 19:11-12 Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped. Treasury of Scripture And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. 1 Samuel 19:17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? 1 Samuel 22:22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house. Genesis 27:20,24 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me… Jump to Previous Ahimelech Ahim'elech Appointed Appointment Business Commanded Commissioned David Directed Matter Priest Sending Servants YoungJump to Next Ahimelech Ahim'elech Appointed Appointment Business Commanded Commissioned David Directed Matter Priest Sending Servants Young1 Samuel 21 1. David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread7. Doeg is present 8. David takes Goliath's sword 10. David at Gath feigns himself insane The king has given me a mission, David's statement to Ahimelech the priest is a strategic move to protect himself and his men. At this point, David is fleeing from King Saul, who is seeking his life. The "king" David refers to is likely a fabricated story to explain his presence and need for provisions. This reflects David's quick thinking and resourcefulness, traits that are evident throughout his life. Theologically, this moment foreshadows the greater mission of Jesus Christ, who also faced opposition and had to navigate through hostile environments. David replied. He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, and a man after God's own heart. At this point, he is fleeing from King Saul, who seeks to kill him. 2. Ahimelech The priest at Nob, who is unaware of the true nature of David's visit and the deception involved. 3. Nob A city of priests, where the tabernacle was located during this period. It serves as a temporary sanctuary for David. 4. King Saul Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Saul's pursuit of David is the backdrop for David's actions and decisions. 5. David's Young Men They are not present in this verse but are part of David's account, representing his loyal followers. Teaching Points Integrity and DeceptionDavid's deception raises questions about integrity. While he is a man after God's own heart, his actions here are complex and reflect human frailty. Trust in God's Provision Despite his deception, David's reliance on God is evident throughout his life. This passage challenges us to trust in God's provision even when circumstances are dire. The Role of Fear Fear can lead to compromised decisions. David's fear of Saul drives him to deceive Ahimelech, reminding us to seek God's guidance in fearful situations. God's Sovereignty in Chaos Even in the midst of chaos and deception, God's plan for David's kingship remains intact. This reassures us of God's sovereignty in our lives. Community and Support David's reference to his young men highlights the importance of community and support during trials. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 21:2?2. Why did David claim to be on a "mission from the king"? 3. How does David's deception align with biblical teachings on truthfulness? 4. What can we learn about God's provision from 1 Samuel 21:2? 5. How does David's situation compare to Jesus' teachings in Matthew 10:16? 6. How should Christians respond when facing difficult decisions like David in 1 Samuel 21? 7. Why did David lie to Ahimelech in 1 Samuel 21:2? 8. How does 1 Samuel 21:2 align with biblical teachings on honesty? 9. What historical evidence supports the events in 1 Samuel 21:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 21? 11. Why was David punished for conducting a census? 12. In 2 Samuel 21:19, how could Elhanan have killed Goliath when David is credited with that feat in 1 Samuel 17? 13. Why does King David, described elsewhere as righteous (1 Kings 15:5), resort to deceit and murder in 2 Samuel 11:14-17? 14. What are the visions and prophecies of Gad? What Does 1 Samuel 21:2 Mean The king has given me a mission• David, on the run from Saul, arrives at Nob and says, “The king has given me a mission” (1 Samuel 21:2). • Though Saul seeks to kill him (1 Samuel 20:31; 1 Samuel 19:10), David still calls Saul “the king,” honoring God-ordained authority even while suffering injustice (cf. Romans 13:1; 1 Samuel 24:6). • Scripture records David’s statement without approving the lie; it exposes human frailty so we learn to cling to truth (Exodus 20:16; Colossians 3:9). • The scene reminds us that God can work through flawed servants, preserving His anointed even in moral failure (Psalm 32:5; 2 Samuel 12:13). He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you • David adds secrecy: “He told me no one is to know” (1 Samuel 21:2). • Such covertness sounds plausible in a wartime context (2 Kings 6:8–12) and shields Ahimelech from appearing complicit. Yet the half-truth backfires when Doeg reports it, leading to tragedy (1 Samuel 22:9–19). • Scripture contrasts David’s concealment with the open integrity God desires (Proverbs 12:22; John 18:20). Even noble goals never justify deception; the passage warns that hidden sin bears bitter fruit (Numbers 32:23). I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place • David continues, “I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place” (1 Samuel 21:2). • Though alone before the priest, he implies a troop nearby to legitimize requesting supplies. Soon actual followers will gather at Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1–2), but here the statement remains part of the ruse. • God later provides bread and a sword, showing grace despite David’s method (1 Samuel 21:3–9). The contrast teaches that divine provision depends on the Lord’s covenant faithfulness, not human perfection (Psalm 23:1; Matthew 6:31–33). • Like David, believers may feel pressure to manipulate circumstances, yet faith rests in truthful dependence on God’s care (Psalm 37:5; 1 Peter 5:7). summary 1 Samuel 21:2 records David’s threefold claim—royal commissioning, strict secrecy, rendezvous with troops—to secure aid while fleeing Saul. Scripture presents the words exactly as spoken, revealing both David’s respect for God-given authority and his lapse into deception. The verse cautions that hiding behind falsehood, even for self-preservation, leads to greater harm, yet it also highlights the Lord’s unbreakable commitment to sustain His people. God’s faithfulness, not our flawless conduct, ultimately secures His mission for our lives. (2) The king hath commanded me.--This is one of the sad episodes in a glorious life. Overwhelmed with dismay at his sudden fall, home and wife, friends and rank, all had been taken from him, and he who had been on the very steps of the throne, the darling of the people, strangely successful in all that he had up to this time put his hand to, was now a proscribed exile, flying for his life. These things must plead as his excuse for his falsehood to Ahimelech, and his flight to and subsequent behaviour among the hereditary enemies of his race, the Philistines. But here, as in so many places, the Holy Spirit who guided the pen of the compiler of this true history could not lie, but fearlessly tells the repulsive truth which must ever be deeply damaging to the favourite hero of Israel. "The Holy Spirit is become the chronicler of men's foolish, yea, sinful actions. He has narrated the lies of Abraham, the incest of Lot, the simulation of the man after God's heart."--Lange.I have appointed my servants.--This portion of his words to Ahimelech was, no doubt, strictly true. It is unlikely that one in the high position of David at the court of Saul, possessing, too, such powers over men's hearts, would be allowed to go even into exile without any friends or attendants. Those alluded to here probably joined him soon after his parting with Jonathan. Our Lord, in Mark 2:25-26, speaks of the priest giving the shewbread to David and to those that were with him, when both he and they that were with him were an hungred. Verse 2. - The king hath commanded me a business. This pretence of a private commission from the king was a mere invention, but his "appointing his servants to meet him at such and such a place" was probably the exact truth. After parting with Jonathan, David probably did not venture to show himself at home, but, while Saul still supposed him to be at Bethlehem, gave orders to some trusty officer to gather together a few of his most faithful men, and await him with them at some fit place. Meanwhile alone he sets out on his flight, and, having as yet no settled plan, goes to Nob, because it was out of the way of the road to Bethlehem, whither Saul would send to arrest him. Naturally such a visit would seem strange to Ahimelech; but David needed food and arms, and probably counsel; and. but for the chance of the presence of Doeg, no harm might have ensued. As it was, this visit of David completed the ruin of Eli's house.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “The kingהַמֶּלֶךְ֮ (ham·me·leḵ) 0 Strong's 4428: A king has ordered me צִוַּ֣נִי (ṣiw·wa·nî) 0 Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order on some business,” דָבָר֒ (ḏā·ḇār) 0 Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause David דָּוִ֜ד (dā·wiḏ) 0 Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse replied. וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) 0 Strong's 559: To utter, say “He told וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) 0 Strong's 559: To utter, say me אֵלַ֗י (’ê·lay) 0 Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to no one אַל־ (’al-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 408: Not is to know יֵ֧דַע (yê·ḏa‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3045: To know about אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the mission הַדָּבָ֛ר (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause or וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר (wa·’ă·šer) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that instructions. צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ (ṣiw·wî·ṯi·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order And וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Adverb Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case I have directed יוֹדַ֔עְתִּי (yō·w·ḏa‘·tî) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3045: To know [my] young men הַנְּעָרִ֣ים (han·nə·‘ā·rîm) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer to meet me אֶל־ (’el-) Direct object marker Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to at a certain place. מְק֥וֹם (mə·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition Links 1 Samuel 21:2 NIV1 Samuel 21:2 NLT 1 Samuel 21:2 ESV 1 Samuel 21:2 NASB 1 Samuel 21:2 KJV 1 Samuel 21:2 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 21:2 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 21:2 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 21:2 French Bible 1 Samuel 21:2 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 21:2 David said to Ahimelech the priest (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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