1 Samuel 21:1

1 Samuel 21:1-9. David's visit to Nob

1. to Nob Nob was at this time a city of the priests (1 Samuel 22:19), though it is not specified among the places assigned to them by Joshua: here, as is clearly to be inferred from 1 Samuel 21:6, the Tabernacle, which has not been mentioned since the death of Eli, was now standing. The site of Nob has not been identified. The description of Sennacherib's march in Isaiah 10:28-32 shews that it was a day's march south of Geba on the road to Jerusalem, and within sight of the city. Dean Stanley supposes it to be the northern summit of Mount Olivet, the place of worship which David passed in his flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:31). Sin. and Pal. p. 187. Hither David betook himself not as a permanent refuge, but to inquire the will of God concerning his future movements, and to procure food and weapons, for in the hurry of his flight he had brought nothing away with him.

Ahimelech the priest See note on 1 Samuel 14:3.

was afraid at the meeting of David Came to meet David trembling. Cp. 1 Samuel 16:4. Seeing the king's son-in-law unattended, he may have suspected the truth, and have been afraid of incurring Saul's displeasure.