1-samuel 21:2
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know anything of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has given me orders and has said to me, Say nothing to anyone about the business on which I am sending you and the orders I have given you: and a certain place has been fixed to which the young men are to go.
Webster's Revision
And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
World English Bible
David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, 'Let no man know anything of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you; and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place.'
English Revised Version (ERV)
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place.
Definitions for 1-samuel 21:2
Clarke's 1-samuel 21:2 Bible Commentary
The king hath commanded me a business - All said here is an untruth, and could not be dictated by the Spirit of the Lord; but there is no reason to believe that David was under the influence of Divine inspiration at this time. It is well known that from all antiquity it was held no crime to tell a lie, in order to save life. Thus Diphilus: -
Ὑπολαμβανω το ψευδος επι σωτηριᾳ
Λεγομενον, ουδεν περιποιεισθαι δυσχερες.
"I hold it right to tell a lie, in order to procure my personal safety; nothing should be avoided in order to save life."
A heathen may say or sing thus; but no Christian can act thus, and save his soul, though he by doing so may save his life.
Barnes's 1-samuel 21:2 Bible Commentary
A fresh instance of David's unscrupulous readiness of invention (compare 1 Samuel 20:6).
Wesley's 1-samuel 21:2 Bible Commentary
21:2 The king, and c. - This seems to be a plain lie extorted from him, by fear. But it was pernicious to all the priests there. Whence David afterwards declares his repentance for this sin of lying, Psalm 119:29. To such a place - To a certain place which it not convenient now to mention; because the whole business requires concealment.
