1 Samuel Chapter 22
1 David therefore departed from there, and escaped to Adullam's cave. When his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him.
2 Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became captain over them. There were with him about four hundred men.
3 David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and my mother come out with you, until I know what God will do for me."
4 He brought them before the king of Moab; and they lived with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.
5 The prophet Gad said to David, "Don't stay in the stronghold. Depart, and go into the land of Judah." Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hereth.
6 Saul heard that David was discovered, with the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.
7 Saul said to his servants who stood around him, "Hear now, you Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse give everyone of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds,
8 that all of you have conspired against me, and there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a treaty with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me, or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as it is today?"
9 Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered and said, "I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
10 He enquired of the LORD for him, gave him food, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine."
11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob; and they all came to the king.
12 Saul said, "Hear now, you son of Ahitub." He answered, "Here I am, my lord."
13 Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as it is today?"
14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, "Who amongst all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, captain of your body guard, and honoured in your house?
15 Have I today begun to enquire of God for him? Be it far from me! Don't let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for your servant knows nothing of all this, less or more."
16 The king said, "You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you, and all your father's house."
17 The king said to the guard who stood about him, "Turn, and kill the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he fled, and didn't disclose it to me." But the servants of the king wouldn't put out their hand to fall on the priests of the LORD.
18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who wore a linen ephod.
19 He struck Nob, the city of the priests, with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing babies, and cattle and donkeys and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
20 One of the sons of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
21 Abiathar told David that Saul had slain the LORD's priests.
22 David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of all the persons of your father's house.
23 Stay with me. Don't be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. For you will be safe with me."
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1 Samuel Chapter 22 Guide
Leaving Gath, David took refuge in the cave of Adullam, where there gathered to him a band of the outcasts of his own people. They are graphically described as those in "distress," in "debt," and "discontented." It is quite possible that the condition of these people was the, result of the oppressions they had suffered under Saul. In any case, from the standpoint of Saul's reign, they were considered dangerous people, and were outcast. What happened to them in their contact with David is revealed in the later history, when these men became the mighty men of the new kingdom. So far as David was concerned, this was a far safer position, and a worthier occupation than that to which he had been reduced in the court of Achish.
In the meanwhile Saul filled the cup of his iniquity by ordering the slaughter of the priests because Ahimelech had helped David. One of their number, Abiathar, escaped from the slaughter, and joined David in his hiding place. It is interesting to remember that he remained with David, and was loyal to him throughout his life and reign.
All these experiences of David, both in fear and in faith, experiences as they were of adversity and trial, were undoubtedly preparing him for the responsibilities that were to fall upon him when, in fulfilment of the divine purpose, he became king of the nation.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Samuel Chapter 22 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- David at Adullam, Many resort to him. -- (1-5)
- Saul destroys the priests of Nob. -- (6-19)
- Abiathar escapes to David. -- (20-23)
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.
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.
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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.