1 Samuel 21:5
And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּעַן֩
answered
H6030
וַיַּעַן֩
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
4 of 26
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
unto him Of a truth
H518
אִם
unto him Of a truth
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 26
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
עֲצֻֽרָה
have been kept
H6113
עֲצֻֽרָה
have been kept
Strong's:
H6113
Word #:
10 of 26
to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
כִּתְמ֣וֹל
days
H8543
כִּתְמ֣וֹל
days
Strong's:
H8543
Word #:
12 of 26
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם
from us about these three
H8032
שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם
from us about these three
Strong's:
H8032
Word #:
13 of 26
trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday
בְּצֵאתִ֕י
since I came out
H3318
בְּצֵאתִ֕י
since I came out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 26
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּכֶּֽלִי׃
and the vessels
H3627
בַּכֶּֽלִי׃
and the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
16 of 26
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים
of the young men
H5288
הַנְּעָרִ֖ים
of the young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
17 of 26
(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
קֹ֑דֶשׁ
are holy
H6944
קֹ֑דֶשׁ
are holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
18 of 26
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְהוּא֙
H1931
וְהוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
19 of 26
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
and the bread is in a manner
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
and the bread is in a manner
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
20 of 26
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְאַ֕ף
H637
וְאַ֕ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
22 of 26
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
23 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַיּ֖וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
24 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Historical Context
Ceremonial purity laws required abstinence from sexual relations before sacred encounters (Exodus 19:15). David's appeal demonstrates his familiarity with Levitical requirements, likely gained during his time serving in Saul's court and his friendship with Samuel's prophetic community.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Jesus use this incident to teach about the relationship between law and grace?
- What principles guide you in distinguishing essential commands from circumstantial applications?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.
David's response employs sophisticated theological reasoning. The Hebrew 'kelim' (vessels) metaphorically refers to their bodies, echoing 1 Thessalonians 4:4 where Paul uses similar language. David argues that necessity has effectively 'de-sanctified' the bread—a remarkable hermeneutical move later validated by Christ. The phrase 'in a manner common' (derek chol) suggests the holy has become permissibly ordinary given the circumstances. David's three-day separation indicates his flight began with some urgency but not total haste. This passage illustrates the biblical principle that human need takes precedence over ceremonial restrictions, a truth Jesus would explicitly affirm.