1 Samuel 21:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
לַֽאֲחִימֶ֣לֶךְ
unto Ahimelech
H288
לַֽאֲחִימֶ֣לֶךְ
unto Ahimelech
Strong's:
H288
Word #:
3 of 27
achimelek, the name of an israelite and of a hittite
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
4 of 27
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַדָּבָ֛ר
me a business
H1697
הַדָּבָ֛ר
me a business
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אִ֣ישׁ
unto me Let no man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
unto me Let no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 27
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)
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
11 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יוֹדַ֔עְתִּי
know
H3045
יוֹדַ֔עְתִּי
know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 27
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מְא֛וּמָה
any thing
H3972
מְא֛וּמָה
any thing
Strong's:
H3972
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֛ר
me a business
H1697
הַדָּבָ֛ר
me a business
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
15 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שֹׁלֵֽחֲךָ֖
whereabout I send
H7971
שֹׁלֵֽחֲךָ֖
whereabout I send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
18 of 27
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנְּעָרִ֣ים
my servants
H5288
הַנְּעָרִ֣ים
my servants
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
22 of 27
(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 latit
יוֹדַ֔עְתִּי
know
H3045
יוֹדַ֔עְתִּי
know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
23 of 27
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מְק֥וֹם
a place
H4725
מְק֥וֹם
a place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
25 of 27
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)
Historical Context
Deception in ancient Near Eastern warfare and survival contexts was common, though the Hebrew moral tradition generally condemned lying (Proverbs 6:16-19). David's fabrication about a royal mission exploited the cultural expectation of secrecy surrounding royal affairs.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you been tempted to deceive others to protect yourself, and what were the consequences?
- How do you balance self-preservation with truthfulness in threatening situations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
David's deception raises difficult ethical questions that Scripture does not sanitize. The Hebrew phrase 'davar satar' (secret matter) creates a plausible cover story. While David's lie protected himself, it ultimately contributed to the massacre of the priests. Jesus later referenced this incident in Mark 2:25-26, notably without condemning David for eating the showbread, yet neither endorsing the deception. The text presents David's humanity—a man after God's own heart who nonetheless sinned under pressure. This serves as a sobering reminder that desperation can lead even the godly to compromise, and that such compromises often have unforeseen consequences.