And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for your brethren an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to your brethren;
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Loaves. The soldiers at that time, and perhaps always among the Hebrews, lived at their own expense, as the tribute which was paid to the king was not sufficient to support large armies, ver. 25. (Calmet)
St. Paul insinuates, however, that soldiers were paid, 1 Corinthians ix. 7. (Haydock)