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1 Samuel 22

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¹So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.

²And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

³From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.”

⁴So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.

⁵Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart and go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

⁶Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him.

⁷Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?

⁸Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”

⁹But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

¹⁰Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

¹¹Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king.

¹²“Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied.

¹³And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.”

¹⁴Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house?

¹⁵Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.”

¹⁶But the king replied, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!”

¹⁷Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.

¹⁸So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

¹⁹He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

²⁰But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.

²¹And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.

²²Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house.

²³Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.”

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1 Samuel 22:1-5 Verses 1-5

See what weak instruments God sometimes uses, to bring about his own purposes. The Son of David is ready to receive distressed souls, who will be commanded by him. He receives all who come unto Him, however vile and miserable; he changes them into a holy people, and employs them in his service: those who would reign with him must be contented first to suffer with and for him. Observe with what tender concern David provided for his aged parents. The first thing he does is to find them a quiet habitation, whatever became of himself. Let children learn to honour their parents, in every thing consulting their ease and satisfaction. Though highly preferred, and much employed, let them not forget their aged parents. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. And the Lord will preserve his people for their appointed work, however they may be hated and exposed.

1 Samuel 22:6-19 Verses 6-19

See the nature of jealous malice and its pitiful arts. Saul looks upon all about him as his enemies, because they do not just say as he says. In Ahimelech's answer to Saul we have the language of conscious innocence. But what wickedness will not the evil spirit hurry men to when he gets the dominion! Saul alleges that which was utterly false and unproved. But the most bloody tyrants have found instruments of their cruelty as barbarous as themselves. Doeg, having murdered the priests, went to the city, Nob, and put all to the sword there. Nothing so vile but those may do it, who have provoked God to give them up to their hearts' lusts. Yet this was the accomplishment of the threatenings against the house of Eli. Though Saul was unrighteous in doing this, yet God was righteous in permitting it. No word of God shall fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 22:20-23 Verses 20-23

David greatly lamented the calamity. It is great trouble to a good man to find himself any way the cause of evil to others. He must have been much pained, when he considered that his falsehood was one cause of this fatal event. David speaks with assurance of his own safety, and promises that Abiathar should have his protection. With the Son of David, all who are his may be sure they shall be in safeguard, Ps 91:1. In the hurry and distraction David was continually in, he found time for communion with God, and found comfort in it.

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Abiathar: Escapes to David from the Vengeance of Saul, Who Slew the Priests in the City of Nob 1 Samuel 22:6–19

Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him. / Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds? / Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”

Abiathar: High Priest--Called Ahimelech: Consults the Ephod for David 1 Samuel 22:9–12

But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. / Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” / Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king.

Abiathar: High Priest--Called Ahimelech: Son of Ahimelech 1 Samuel 22:20

But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.

Adullam: A Cave Near the Dead Sea: David Takes Refuge In 1 Samuel 22:1

So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.

Ahijah: A Priest in Shiloh, Probably Identical with Ahimelech, Mentioned In 1 Samuel 22:11

Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king.

Ahijah: A Priest in Shiloh, Probably Identical with Ahimelech, Mentioned in Killed 1 Samuel 22:11–19

Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king. / “Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied. / And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.”

Ahimelech: Also Called Ahia--A High Priest, During the Reign of David: Killed by the Command of Saul 1 Samuel 22:9–22

Ahitub: High Priest, Father of Ahiah 1 Samuel 22:9, 11, 12, 20

But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. / Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king. / “Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied.

Armies: March in Ranks: Composed of Insurgents 1 Samuel 22:1, 2

So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. / And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

Betrayal of David, by Doeg 1 Samuel 22:9, 10

Captain: Signifying Any Commander, As 1 Samuel 22:2

And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

Cave of Adullam 1 Samuel 22:1

So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.

Caves: Adullam 1 Samuel 22:1

So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.

Caves: Often Capacious 1 Samuel 22:1, 2

Children: David 1 Samuel 22:3, 4

From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.” / So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.

Conspiracy: Jonathan 1 Samuel 22:8

Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”

Creditors were often Defrauded 1 Samuel 22:2

And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

David: King of Israel: Recruits an Army of Insurgents, Goes to Moab, Returns to Hareth 1 Samuel 22:1

So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.

Deserts: The Disaffected Fled To 1 Samuel 22:2

And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

Doeg: Murdered Eighty-Five Priests 1 Samuel 22:18, 19

So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

Doubting: Exemplified 1 Samuel 22:3, 4

Ephod: A Sacred Vestment Worn by the High Priest: An Inferior, Was Worn by the Ordinary Priests 1 Samuel 22:18

So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against the Prophet Ahimelech by Saul 1 Samuel 22:11–16

Falsehood in Accusing Ahimelech of Conspiring with David Against Himself 1 Samuel 22:11–16

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Thousands (Micah 5:2), another name for "families" or "clans" (see Num.… Ahimelech Brother of the king, the son of Ahitub and father… Benjamin Son of my right hand. (1.) The younger son of… Faithful As a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful,… Abiathar Father of abundance, or my father excels, the son of… Covenant A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old… Tamarisk Heb. eshel (Gen. 21:33; 1 Sam. 22:6; 31:13, in the… Adullam One of the royal cities of the Canaanites, now Aid-el-ma… Sitting The attitude generally assumed in Palestine by those who were… Prophet (Heb. nabi, from a root meaning "to bubble forth, as… Captain (1.) Heb. sar (1 Sam. 22:2; 2 Sam. 23:19). Rendered… Goliath Great. (1.) A famous giant of Gath, who for forty… Father A name applied (1) to any ancestor (Deut. 1:11; 1… Forest Heb. ya'ar, meaning a dense wood, from its luxuriance. Thus… Ahitub Brother of goodness = good. (1.) The son of Phinehas.… Priest The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one… Gibeah A hill or hill-town, "of Benjamin" (1 Sam. 13:15), better… Jesse Firm, or a gift, a son of Obed, the son…