# the house of God

During the time of David there was no temple yet. Alternate translation: "the tabernacle" or "the place for worshiping God"

# bread of the presence

This is sacred bread that priests placed before God in the tabernacle. Alternate translation: "bread that the priest placed before God" or "sacred bread" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit]])

# those who were with him

"the men who were with David"

# but lawful only for the priests

"but, according to the law, only the priests could eat it"