21:3,4
David now asks for food, and the priest replies that the only food he has is consecrated bread. The priest agrees to give David this bread as long as his men have abstained from sexual relations with women. See Ex 19:15, Lev 15:18. Jesus referred to this incident in one of the many Sabbath arguments (Matt 12:4). God did not intend the Law to be taken in a legalistic manner. The Pharisees, of course, did precisely this, and to do so is a human trait.
21:5,6
David replies that he always insists on his men being ceremonially clean when going out on missions, even ones where it is not strictly necessary. So the priest gives the consecrated bread to David, and the bread at the altar is replaced.
21:7
One of Saul’s servants was at that place. It says he was “detained by the Lord”, but gives no further explanation. This man was Doeg. Doeg was an Edomite and was employed by Saul as his chief shepherd. The Edomites were traditionally enemies of Israel. Doeg’s presence would later lead to trouble for David.
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