1 Samuel 21:2

“And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, etc.] In reply to his question, and to account for such an appearance he made without an equipage: the king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, let no man know anything of the business thereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee; he pretended he was upon a secret expedition, by the order of Saul, which none were to know of, no, not his own servants, and that was the reason why he came to him alone; which was a downright lie, and was aggravated by its being told only for the sake of getting a little food; and especially told to an high priest, and at the tabernacle of God, and when he was come to inquire of the Lord there;…”

“The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know--This was a direct falsehood, extorted through fear. David probably supposed, like many other persons, that a lie is quite excusable which is told for the sole purpose of saving the speaker's life. But what is essentially sinful, can never, from circumstances, change its immoral character; and David had to repent of this vice of lying (Psa 119:29).”

“A fresh instance of David’s unscrupulous readiness of invention (compare 1 Samuel 20:6). return to 'Top of Page'”

“The king, &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, Psa 119:29. To such a place - To a certain place which it not convenient now to mention; because the whole business requires concealment. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 21:4”

“21:2 The king has sent me: David lied to conceal his outlaw status and to dispel Ahimelech’s worries.”

“The king: The whole of this is a gross falsehood; and which was attended with the most fatal consequences. It is well known that from all antiquity it was held no crime to tell a lie in order to save life. Thus Diphilon Υπολαμβανω το ψευδας επι σωτηρια λεγομενον, ουδεν περιποιεισθαι δυσχερες. "I hold it right to tell a lie for safety. nothing should be avoided to save life." A heathen may say or sing thus, but no Christian can act thus and save his soul, though he may save his life. Sa1 19:17, Sa1 22:22; Gen 27:20, Gen 27:24; Kg1 13:18; Psa 119:29; Gal 2:12; Col 3:9 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 21:3”