1 Samuel22
English Standard Version
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1 and to the of . And when his and his it, they to him.
2 And who was in , and who was in , and who was in , to him. And he them. And there were him about .
3 And to of . And he to the of , let my and my with you, I will for me.
4 And he them the of , and they with him the that was in the .
5 Then the to , Do in the ; , and into the of . So and into the of .
6 Now was , and the were with him. was at the on the with his in his , and his were him.
7 And to his who him, , people of ; will the of every of you and , will he you all of and of ,
8 of you have me? No to me my makes a with the of . of you is for me or to me that my has my me, to lie in , as at this .
9 Then the , who the of , I the of to , to the of ,
10 and he of the Lord for him and him and him the of the .
11 Then the to the , the of , and his , the were at , and of them to the .
12 And , , of . And he , I am, my .
13 And to him, have you me, you and the of , in that you have him and a and have of for him, so that he has against me, to lie in , as at ?
14 Then the , And your is so as , who is the , and over your , and in your ?
15 Is the that I have of for him? ! Let the to his or to the of my , your has of , .
16 And the , You shall , , you and your .
17 And the to the who him, and the of the Lord, their is , and they he and did it to . But the of the their to the of the Lord.
18 Then the to , You and the . And the and the , and he on that who the .
19 And , the of the , he to the ; , , , and , he to the .
20 But of the of the of , , and .
21 And had the of the Lord.
22 And to , I on that , the was , that he would . I have the death of the of your .
23 with me; do be , he who my your . With me you shall be in .
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1 Samuel 22Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 22. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David at Adullam, Many resort to him. (1–5). Saul destroys the priests of Nob. (6–19). Abiathar escapes to David. (20–23).
vv1-5
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.
vv6-19
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.
vv20-23
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.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
יָלַךְ: to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
שָׁם: there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
מָלַט: properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks
מְעָרָה: a cavern (as dark)
עֲדֻלָּם: Adullam, a place in Palestine
אָח: a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father))
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
1 Samuel 22The slaughter of Ahimelech and the priests fulfills the judgment pronounced on the house of Eli.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
David's psalm written directly concerning Doeg the Edomite reporting to Saul that David came to Ahimelech.
Supported by JFB
Verifies the Cave of Adullam as a strategic, strong hold used by David and his men.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes Doeg's presence at Nob when David first visited Ahimelech.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Records Abiathar fleeing to David with the high priest's ephod in his hand.
Supported by JFB
Provides a biblical parallel of desperate, empty men gathering to a chosen leader.
Supported by JFB
Shows how David governed his men to act as a wall of defense, not lawless bandits.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Saul's hostility toward Moab explains why the king of Moab welcomed David.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Saul's appeal to his fellow Benjamites matches his fierce, jealous rage against his own son.
Supported by JFB
The previous chapter's events which Doeg reports to Saul, including the bread and sword.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Solomon references Abiathar escaping the slaughter of his father's house by Saul.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David receiving the distressed and indebted typifies Christ welcoming the spiritually weary.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts Saul's wicked command to slaughter priests with Obadiah saving God's prophets.
Supported by Matthew Henry