21:1 Nob. Probably located less than two miles northeast of Jerusalem (Is. 10:32), Nob became “the city of the priests” (22:19) sometime after the disaster that came upon Shiloh (1:3 note; 2:32 note) at the hands of the Philistines (4:1–11).

Ahimelech. Either Ahijah’s brother or simply another name for Ahijah (14:3), Ahimelech occupies the position of high priest once held by his great-grandfather Eli (1:9). See also Mark 2:26 and note.