Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 21:1

THen came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest , and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David , and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee ?

A City of Priests, as it is called, Chap. 22. 19. Either, 1. Because it was assigned to the Priests. For though it be not expressed by this Name among their Cities, Ios. 21. yet it might be one of those Cities there named by some other name, which name might be changed; or another new name added to the old for some reason now unknown, as was very usual among the Hebrews: compare 1 Chron. 6. Or, 2. Because it was now inhabited by the Priests for the service of the Tabernacle, which now was here; as appears from v. 7, 9. For as the Kings of Israel were to Consult with God's Oracle in all their weighty Affairs; so they endeavoured to have it in, or near their own Habitations. Hence it was first carried by Ioshua to Shiloh in his Tribe of Ephraim; and afterwards by David into his Tribe and City; and now, as it seems, had been by Saul carried to Nob, a City in the Tribe of Benjamin, Ne[illegible: 1+ letters]. 11. 32. near to Anathoth, 1 King. 2. 26. Hither David resorted, partly for a supply of his necessities, which he supposed he might receive here, without danger of being betrayed into Saul's hands: and principally, that in this great distress, and his resolution of going out of the Kingdom, he might seek and receive comfort and counsel from the Lord.

To wit, the chief Priest, brother to that Ahiah, Chap. 14. 3. and he being now dead, his successor in the Priest-hood, for they were both sons of Ahitub, 1 Sam. 14. 3. and 22. 11.

Suspecting some extraordinary cause of his coming in such a manner, and fearing the worst, as men usually do in such cases.

For though David had some servants and companions, as is manifest from v. 4, 5. and from Matt. 12. 3, 4. whom Ionathan probably had sent to a place appointed to serve and guard him; yet they were left at another place: as David himself affirmeth, v. 2. And David was now alone, as also he was when he fled to Achish, v. 10.

Marginal references: Also called [illegible: 1 word]. Mar. 2. 26.