Reading for March 26th

Read 1 Samuel 21.1-15
I 21.1-15: David visits Nob.
In verse 1: Ahimelech was the brother of Ahijah, Saul's chaplain, and the great-grandson of Eli.
he came trembling to meet David perhaps because David was alone, and Ahimelech suspected something was wrong.
In verses 4-5: Sexual abstinence, as expressed int he phrase have kept themselves from women, was practiced by soldiers preparing for war and worshippers.
David affirms that he and his men are on a holy mission and so have been abstinent.
Although vessels can refer to tools, weapons, or other implements, here it is a euphemism for the sexual organs.
In verse 7: The fact that Doeg was detained before the Lord probably means that he had a vow to fulfill.
Shepherds may be a mistake for "runner": the words are very similar in Hebrew.
Kings were often escorted by runners.
In verse 9: David had placed the sword of Goliath in his own tent according to 17.54.
The ephod mentioned here seems to be an idol (Judg 8.27) rather than a priestly garment.
In verse 10: Achish, like Goliath is a genuine Philistine name.
In verse 11: If it is not a simple anachronism, the Philistines recognize David already as king of the land.
In verses 13-15: To be mad was seen in the ancient world as being divinely "touched."
hence, the Philistines, fearing divine wrath, leave David alone.
The story also jabs fun at the Philistines who cannot tell madness from sanity and who, by their own admission, have plenty of madmen.
Comments or Questions..