1 Samuel 21:5 Meaning
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.
Context Explained
3Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.
4And 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.
5And 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.
6So 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.
7Now 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.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Matthew 12:3-4
Jesus references David's actions regarding the bread to illustrate the importance of mercy over ritual.
Hebrews 10:1
The Old Testament rituals were a shadow of the true sacrifice of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:21
Paul discusses the significance of participating in holy things, similar to David's situation.
Source: 1 Samuel 21:5