I Samuel 21:6
“So the priest gave him consecrated bread; for there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence which was removed from its place before the LORD, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day it was taken away.”
Jesus commented on this verse in Matthew 12:3,4, 'But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions— how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone?"' David asked to do that which was unlawful. How do we explain that?
Here's some context from I Samuel; David was being pursued by Saul. He was in mortal danger in which he didn't have time to prepare. He and his men ran out of food. To shop for food would have exposed them and have blwn their cover. We can assume he normally wouldn't have asked this.
Paul weighs in on this kind of behavior. He's talking about eating food which has been offered to idols. He says, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify", (I Corinthians 10:23). He saying the gray areas of the faith are permitted, but that isn't where we are to dwell.
Let's get more specific, by saying "all things are lawful...", Paul isn't referring to the Ten Commandments, but the civil and ceremonial laws. An example is, eating something unclean would be ok, but not to take your neighbor's wife.
Paul also cautions about this behavior; it's to be done privately and not to be broadcasted. Here's what he says in Romans 14:20, "Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense." Some believers have sensitive consciences. If they see us doing something they thought was unlawful, they may adopt it, then start to feel condemned. Paul keeps these practices quiet.
David did this in time of emergency. He normally wouldn't have done this. He didn't steal it, but asked. A broader point is that God cares more for us, than rules of cleanness and custom. We shouldn't steal food because we're hungry, but we can ask. God will help us. The Lord has given us structure. It's normally good, but His love is greater and can go beyond that as long as it doesn't contradict His Word.
Jesus brought this up in a different setting. The Pharisees were vigorously complaining that His disciples were behaving unlawfully. They weren't questioning, "why", but were legalists trying to hurt them, by damaging their reputations. The bible calls these enemies. These are those who don't mind hurting us, as long as their agenda is advanced.
How are we to deal with enemies? Here are some thoughts; Paul's advice also applies here, don't publicize what we do in the gray areas, but try to live above reproach. However, sometimes it's too late and we've been seen. If the complaint is to us alone, apply Jesus's advice to go the second mile. Don't be defensive.
Jesus got upset when people sought to hurt others. We started this entry about where Jesus used today's verse as a defense against the pharisees attacking His disciples. After a few examples, Jesus concludes with this, "But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent'", (Matthew 12:6,7).
Here's a thought about being in a defensive position, "Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say", (Luke 12:11,12). This tells us to trust the Lord for a response.
Another thought about defending others if we're not sure what to do; the book of Proverbs says there is wisdom in many counselors. We should brings these issues to others to get their perspectives. More information is usually better.
We should bring our concerns to the Lord. He will help. He tells us in Psalm 23 that "He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies". This doesn't mean we'll win every dispute, but He will work all things out for the good, (Romans 8:28). Sometimes the wants us to go through difficulties. He uses these times to build trust' patience and maturity in us.
To conclude, we see David eating the bread for priests. The Lord didn't condemn him, just as Jesus didn't condemn His hungry disciples. Lord, thank You for Your great love.