1Sa 21:4 | TNotes | STEP | 21:4 Only priests were permitted to partake of holy bread (see Exod 25:22-30 ; Lev 24:5-9 ), and only within the sacred precincts. • slept with any women: The consecrated bread was to be eaten only by the ritually pure, so the priest verified that David’s men were free from ritual impurity caused by sexual activity (see Lev 15:16-18 ). Typically, such bread would not be available for consumption by laity. The priest made an exception in this case probably because he sensed the men’s physical needs and he believed they were on a royal mission.

bExod 25:22-30►

cLev 24:5-9►

dLev 15:16-18►

‏ 1 Samuel 21:4

21:4 ^a Only priests were permitted to partake of holy bread (see Exod 25:22-30 ^b; Lev 24:5-9 ^c), and only within the sacred precincts.

• slept with any women: The consecrated bread was to be eaten only by the ritually pure, so the priest verified that David’s men were free from ritual impurity caused by sexual activity (see Lev 15:16-18 ^d). Typically, such bread would not be available for consumption by laity. The priest made an exception in this case probably because he sensed the men’s physical needs and he believed they were on a royal mission.