The priest answered—There is no common bread, &c.— Cases of necessity, as the Jews themselves allow, often superseded the observation of the ritual laws; and this compliance of Ahimelech's is urged with great force by our Saviour, in vindication of a similar case, Mark 2:25 to which place we shall refer for more upon the subject, and for a solution of the difficulties arising from the different names.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 21:4
1 Samuel 21:4
4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.