Bible Strands
1 Samuel 22:10
Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Ahimelech’s actions toward David at Nob immediately after Doeg the Edomite reports David’s visit to King Saul. This moment occurs during Saul’s escalating pursuit, directly preceding the king’s summons of Ahimelech and his priestly family.
The words — וַיִּשְׁאַל (wa-yish'al) means "and he inquired," denoting Ahimelech seeking divine direction for David. חֶרֶב (che-rev) translates literally as "sword," specifying the weapon David previously removed from Goliath the Philistine.
The thread — This pattern of priestly consultation recurs in 1 Samuel 23:2 and 1 Samuel 23:4, where David similarly asks the LORD before engaging Philistine forces. The reliance on priestly mediation for divine guidance aligns with the Urim-based counsel outlined in Numbers 27:21.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to note how religious provision and practical aid function together during flight from hostile authority. It asks the reader to observe that divine inquiry and tangible resources are presented as concurrent responses to immediate danger.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he enquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
Cross-references
- Numbers 27:21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”
- 1 Samuel 23:2 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
- 1 Samuel 23:4 Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
- 1 Samuel 30:8 and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”
- 1 Samuel 10:22 So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”
- 1 Samuel 21:6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there but the Bread of the Presence, which had been removed from before the LORD and replaced with hot bread on the day it was taken away.
- 1 Samuel 22:13 And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.”
- 1 Samuel 22:15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.”
- 1 Samuel 23:12 So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” “They will,” said the LORD.