1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard [it], they went down thither to him.
2 And every one [that was] in distress, and every one that [was] in debt, and every one [that was] discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
3 And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, [and be] with you, till I know what God will do for me.
4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.
5 And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
6 When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that [were] with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants [were] standing about him;)
7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, [and] make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;
8 That all of you have conspired against me, and [there is] none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and [there is] none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
10 And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, 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 that [were] in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
12 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I [am], my lord.
13 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who [is so] faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
15 Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute [any] thing unto his servant, [nor] to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.
17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also [is] with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’S priests.
22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew [it] that day, when Doeg the Edomite [was] there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned [the death] of all the persons of thy father’s house.
23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou [shalt be] in safeguard.
Summary of 1 Samuel Chapter 22
In this chapter, David continues to find refuge from King Saul, who is determined to kill him. David’s actions lead to the gathering of a group of followers, while Saul’s paranoia escalates, resulting in tragic consequences for the priests of Nob.
Key Events
- David escapes to the cave of Adullam.
- David gathers a band of distressed, indebted, and discontented men.
- David seeks help from the priest Ahimelech at Nob.
- Saul orders the execution of the priests at Nob.
David’s Refuge in the Cave of Adullam
David flees from Saul and finds refuge in the cave of Adullam. This location becomes a significant point for David as he begins to form a following.
- David’s family hears of his plight and joins him.
- Others who are in distress or discontented come to him, leading to the formation of a loyal band.
David and Ahimelech
David visits the city of Nob, where he encounters Ahimelech the priest. In a moment of desperation, David lies to Ahimelech about his mission, claiming to be on a secret errand for the king.
- Ahimelech provides David with consecrated bread and Goliath’s sword.
- This act of assistance showcases the priest’s loyalty and the importance of the sacred items.
Saul’s Paranoia and the Massacre of the Priests
After learning of David’s actions, Saul’s paranoia intensifies. He believes that the priests of Nob have conspired with David, leading to a brutal decision.
- Saul summons Doeg the Edomite, who informs him about David’s visit to Nob.
- Saul orders the execution of Ahimelech and the other priests.
- Doeg carries out Saul’s orders, killing eighty-five priests and destroying Nob.
The Aftermath and David’s Response
One son of Ahimelech, Abiathar, escapes the massacre and seeks refuge with David, bringing news of the tragedy.
- David expresses deep remorse for the deaths of the priests.
- He vows to protect Abiathar, recognizing the weight of his own actions in leading to this calamity.
Thematic Analysis
This chapter highlights several key themes:
- Leadership and Loyalty: David’s ability to gather followers demonstrates his potential as a leader, even in times of crisis.
- Consequences of Deception: David’s lie to Ahimelech leads to unintended and tragic consequences, emphasizing the moral complexities of his situation.
- Paranoia and Violence: Saul’s descent into paranoia illustrates the destructive nature of fear and jealousy.
- Divine Providence: The chapter hints at the idea that despite human actions, God’s plans are still unfolding, as seen through David’s eventual rise to kingship.
Conclusion
1 Samuel Chapter 22 serves as a pivotal moment in David’s narrative, showcasing the challenges he faces while also revealing the darker aspects of Saul’s reign. The chapter underscores the themes of loyalty, the consequences of deception, and the tragic outcomes of unchecked power.
