King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 21:6 Mean?

1 Samuel 21:6 in the King James Version says “So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread , that was taken from before the L...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 21:6 · KJV

Context

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.

8

And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.

Read 1 Samuel 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The priest's decision to provide the showbread represents a remarkable pastoral judgment. The Hebrew construction emphasizes that this was the only bread available—literally 'there was no bread except.' The detail about replacing old bread with fresh 'hot bread' indicates this occurred on the Sabbath when the exchange happened (Leviticus 24:8). Thus David received bread that had just completed its week of sacred service. Jesus cited this incident to demonstrate that God's law was made for humanity's benefit, not to impose burdens. Ahimelech's act of mercy would cost him everything, yet Scripture presents his decision as commendable—a priest who understood that compassion fulfills the law's deepest intent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The showbread was replaced every Sabbath. The old bread, having served its symbolic purpose before the Lord for seven days, was then consumed by the priests in a holy place. Ahimelech's distribution to David stretched but did not violate the spirit of this provision.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has God provided for you through unconventional means?
  2. How do you balance respect for sacred things with responsiveness to urgent human needs?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיִּתֶּן1 of 21

“gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֥וֹ2 of 21
H0
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן3 of 21

“So the priest”

H3548

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

קֹ֑דֶשׁ4 of 21

“him hallowed”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

כִּי֩5 of 21
H3588

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

לֹא6 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָ֨יָה7 of 21
H1961

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

שָׁ֜ם8 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לֶ֣חֶם9 of 21

“bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

כִּֽי10 of 21
H3588

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

אִם11 of 21
H518

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

לֶ֣חֶם12 of 21

“bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

מִלִּפְנֵ֣י13 of 21

“from before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַמּֽוּסָרִים֙14 of 21

“that was taken”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מִלִּפְנֵ֣י15 of 21

“from before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֔ה16 of 21

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָשׂוּם֙17 of 21

“to put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לֶ֣חֶם18 of 21

“bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

חֹ֔ם19 of 21

“hot”

H2527

heat

בְּי֖וֹם20 of 21

“in the 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

הִלָּֽקְחֽוֹ׃21 of 21

“when it was taken away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

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 21:6 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 21:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 6:3-4Leviticus 24:5-9Matthew 12:3-4Mark 2:25-27

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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