King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 21:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 21:5 in the King James Version says “And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. yea: or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel”

1 Samuel 21:5 · KJV

Truth

Context

3

Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. present: Heb. found

4

And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.

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. yea: or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel

6

So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread , that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

7

Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

Read 1 Samuel 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Jesus use this incident to teach about the relationship between law and grace?
  2. What principles guide you in distinguishing essential commands from circumstantial applications?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיַּעַן֩1 of 26

“answered”

H6030

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,

דָּוִ֨ד2 of 26

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת3 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן4 of 26

“the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר5 of 26

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֗וֹ6 of 26
H0
כִּ֣י7 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם8 of 26

“unto him Of a truth”

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אִשָּׁ֤ה9 of 26

“women”

H802

a woman

עֲצֻֽרָה10 of 26

“have been kept”

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

לָ֙נוּ֙11 of 26
H0
כִּתְמ֣וֹל12 of 26

“days”

H8543

properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday

שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם13 of 26

“from us about these three”

H8032

trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday

בְּצֵאתִ֕י14 of 26

“since I came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ15 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּכֶּֽלִי׃16 of 26

“and the vessels”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

הַנְּעָרִ֖ים17 of 26

“of the young men”

H5288

(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

קֹ֑דֶשׁ18 of 26

“are holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְהוּא֙19 of 26
H1931

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

דֶּ֣רֶךְ20 of 26

“and the bread is in a manner”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

חֹ֔ל21 of 26

“common”

H2455

properly, exposed; hence, profane

וְאַ֕ף22 of 26
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

כִּ֥י23 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַיּ֖וֹם24 of 26

“this day”

H3117

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

יִקְדַּ֥שׁ25 of 26

“yea though it were sanctified”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

בַּכֶּֽלִי׃26 of 26

“and the vessels”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 21:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 21:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 9:151 Thessalonians 4:3-4Leviticus 8:262 Timothy 2:20-21Leviticus 24:91 Peter 3:17

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