Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
1 Samuel Ch.21 / 31 Ch.s
1SA:21
* David with Ahimelech. (1-9) David at Gath feigns himself mad.
(10-15)
#1-9 David, in distress, fled to the tabernacle of God. It is
great comfort in a day of trouble, that we have a God to go to,
to whom we may open our cases, and from whom we may ask and
expect direction. David told Ahimelech a gross untruth. What
shall we say to this? The Scripture does not conceal it, and we
dare not justify it; it was ill done, and proved of bad
consequence; for it occasioned the death of the priests of the
Lord. David thought upon it afterward with regret. David had
great faith and courage, yet both failed him; he fell thus
foully through fear and cowardice, and owing to the weakness of
his faith. Had he trusted God aright, he would not have used
such a sorry, sinful shift for his own preservation. It is
written, not for us to do the like, no, not in the greatest
straits, but for our warning. David asked of Ahimelech bread and
a sword. Ahimelech supposed they might eat the shew-bread. The
Son of David taught from it, that mercy is to be preferred to
sacrifice; that ritual observances must give way to moral
duties. Doeg set his foot as far within the tabernacle as David
did. We little know with what hearts people come to the house of
God, nor what use they will make of pretended devotion. If many
come in simplicity of heart to serve their God, others come to
observe their teachers and to prove accusers. Only God and the
event can distinguish between a David and a Doeg, when both are
in the tabernacle.
#10-15 God's persecuted people have often found better usage
from Philistines than from Israelites. David had reason to put
confidence in Achish, yet he began to be afraid. His conduct was
degrading, and discovered wavering in his faith and courage. The
more simply we depend on God, and obey him, the more comfortably
and surely we shall walk through this troublesome world.