RobH_en_tn/mat/12/04.md

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 "the sacred bread" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/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 priest could eat it"