“Since there was no other food available, the priest gave him
the holy bread—the Bread of the Presence that was placed before the LORD in the
Tabernacle. It had just been replaced that day with fresh bread.” (NLT v.6)
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all refer to this event. They all quote
Jesus using this verse to show that mercy is more important than the Law. In
one case, Jesus was answering why it was alright for the disciples to pick
grain to eat on the Sabbath. In the other it was to heal a man on the Sabbath.
Jesus interpreted this passage to show us a spiritual lesson.
Abiathar, the priest that gave the holy bread to David and his men, was showing
mercy instead of insisting on the letter of the Law. The Law clearly said that
the bread was to be eaten only by priests. The men were hungry and traveling
hard. What else could the priest do but show mercy and share that bread.
The
immediate lesson here is, mercy is greater than the law. Mercy is an attribute
of God. God’s character is greater than rules that are guidelines. David had
done nothing wrong, and he was in need. The right thing to do was to feed him
even if it meant breaking the law.
Abiathar
the priest did the right thing. May we all see with the eyes of the Spirit in similar
situations in our lives and make the right thing, the right thing.
The
Truth
And
Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the
Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?” After looking around at them all, He
said to him (with the withered hand), “Stretch out your hand!” And he did so;
and his hand was restored. But they themselves were filled with rage, and
discussed together what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:9-11)
