King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 21:8 Mean?

1 Samuel 21:8 in the King James Version says “And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my swor... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 21:8 · KJV


Context

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.

9

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.

10

And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's request for weapons continues his deceptive narrative but reveals genuine need. The Hebrew 'chanith' (spear) and 'chereb' (sword) were primary military weapons. His explanation about haste compounds the earlier lie, yet his vulnerability is real—he faces Saul's forces unarmed. The irony deepens: David, Israel's champion who slew Goliath, now begs for any weapon at a sanctuary. This reduction of the mighty warrior to a desperate fugitive illustrates how quickly circumstances can reverse. The passage reminds us that even those greatly used by God experience seasons of profound weakness and dependency.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Weapons were sometimes stored at sanctuaries for safekeeping, as sacred space provided protection against theft. The tabernacle's movable nature meant various items accumulated at its location over time, including war trophies dedicated to the Lord.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you maintain integrity when survival instincts pressure you toward deception?
  2. What does David's weaponless state teach about trusting God in vulnerable seasons?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 24

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִד֙2 of 24

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לַֽאֲחִימֶ֔לֶךְ3 of 24

unto Ahimelech

H288

achimelek, the name of an israelite and of a hittite

וְאִ֛ין4 of 24

not

H371

is it not?

יֶשׁ5 of 24

And is there

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

פֹּ֥ה6 of 24
H6311

this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence

תַֽחַת7 of 24
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

בְיָדִ֔י8 of 24

here under thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חֲנִ֣ית9 of 24

spear

H2595

a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)

אוֹ10 of 24
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

חַרְבִּ֤י11 of 24

my sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

כִּ֣י12 of 24
H3588

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

גַם13 of 24
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

חַרְבִּ֤י14 of 24

my sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וְגַם15 of 24
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

כֵּלַי֙16 of 24

nor my weapons

H3627

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

לֹֽא17 of 24
H3808

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

לָקַ֣חְתִּי18 of 24

for I have neither brought

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְיָדִ֔י19 of 24

here under thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כִּֽי20 of 24
H3588

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

הָיָ֥ה21 of 24

required

H1961

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

דְבַר22 of 24

business

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ23 of 24

because the king's

H4428

a king

נָחֽוּץ׃24 of 24

haste

H5169

to be urgent


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 21:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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