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Chapter 21 records how David was treated like an outlaw and traitor. David went to see the Priest, Ahimelech, at the city of Nob. Since the Lord had forsaken Shiloh because of the sins of Eli's sons, the Tabernacle had been moved to Nob, on the Mt. of Olives, near Bethany, overlooking Jerusalem. The Ark was still at Ramah, at the home of Abinadab.
David told Ahimelech that he was on a secrete mission for the King. Why did David lie to the Priest? Some believe that he was concerned for the life of the Priest for had the Priest knowingly aided David in escaping the King, his life would surly have been in danger. Others believe it was simply a cowardly mistake on the part of David, which he lived to regret (Ch. 22:22). The consequences of his lie led to the death of the Priests of the Lord.
Notice that he not only lied about his journey but he also lied about his men. When the Priest asked David where his men was David said that they were to meet him at another place. David then asked Ahimelech for 5 loaves of bread. None was available but the "Bread of the Presence" 12 loaves which had just been replaced. To eat this, David and his men had to be "clean" (Ex. 19:15). David assured Ahimelech that he and his men met the qualifications for eating the bread i.e. Removed from women for at least 3 days and their bodies holy, possessed in sanctification and honor at all times. So Ahimelech gave the bread to David.
Then David asked Ahimelech if he had a spear or sword that he might have as he had left in haste and had left his at home. Well the Priest had only the sword of Goliath still wrapped the way it was when David left it there. So the Priest gave David the sword and the bread and David left.
While he was there, a man by the name of Doeg, an Edomite, was there at the Tabernacle for purification rites. This man was Saul's Chief Herdsman. He will remember having seen David there in the next chapter.
David left Nob and went to Gath to see King Achish. This was a journey of about 20 miles and took him over into Philistine territory. Gath was one of the 5 major cities of the Philistines. It was the closest one to the Israelites and was constantly being raided by the troops of Saul, which probably accounts for the friendly welcome that David received there several times for they also knew that Saul was trying to kill David.
But not everyone in Philista was happy to see David. The Kings officers were reminded that it was David that had killed their champion, Goliath, and that the women of Israel were singing about his having killed 10,000 Philistines. When it became obvious to David that his life was in danger, he pretended insanity. He scratched on doors and let slobber run from the corners of his mouth. Seeing this, the King was angry. "Must you bring me a mad man, don't we have enough of those around here?" So David was allowed to leave.
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