Three days — As long as the law required, Exodus 19:15. And so long David, and his men hid, it seems, hid themselves for fear of Saul, whereby they were kept both from women: and from food convenient for them. Vessels — That is, Either, Their garments, or other utensils for their journey. Or their bodies. The bread — Heb. and this bread; is in a manner common: that is, considering the time, and our necessity, this maybe used in a manner, like common bread. For though for a season while it is to stand before the Lord, it be so holy, that the priest himself might not eat it; yet afterwards it is eaten by the priest, and his whole family, and so it may be by us, in our circumstances. Tho' it were — But newly put into the vessel, it must give place to the great law of necessity, and charity; because God will have mercy preferred before sacrifice.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 21:5
1 Samuel 21:5
5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctifiedc this day in the vessel.