Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 22

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 22:1, Companies resort unto David at Adullam; 1 Samuel 22:3, At Mizpeh he commends his parents unto the king of Moab; 1 Samuel 22:5, Admonished by Gad, he comes to Hareth; 1 Samuel 22:6, Saul going to pursue him, complains of his servants’ unfaithfulness; 1 Samuel 22:9, Doeg accuses Ahimelech; 1 Samuel 22:11, Saul commands to kill the priests; 1 Samuel 22:17, The footmen refusing, Doeg executes it; 1 Samuel 22:20, Abiathar escaping, brings David the news.

Verse 1

David: 1 Samuel 21:10-15, Psalms 34:1, Psalms 57:1,*titles

the cave: Joshua 12:15, Joshua 15:35, 2 Samuel 23:13, 2 Samuel 23:14, 1 Chronicles 11:15, Psalms 142:1, *title Micah 1:3, Micah 1:15, Hebrews 11:38

Adullam: Adullam was a city of Judah; and, according to Eusebius, ten miles - Jerome says eleven eastward from Eleutheropolis.

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:1 - Adullamite 2 Samuel 17:9 - he is hid 1 Chronicles 11:16 - in the hold 2 Chronicles 11:7 - Adullam Job 30:6 - dwell Psalms 56:8 - tellest Ezekiel 33:27 - in the caves

Verse 2

distress: Judges 11:3, Matthew 11:12, Matthew 11:28

was in debt: Heb. had a creditor, Matthew 18:25-34

discontented: Heb. bitter of soul, 1 Samuel 1:10, 1 Samuel 30:6, Judges 18:25, 2 Samuel 17:8, Proverbs 31:6, *marg.

a captain: 1 Samuel 9:16, 1 Samuel 25:15, 1 Samuel 25:16, 1 Samuel 30:22-24, 2 Samuel 5:2, 2 Kings 20:5, 1 Chronicles 11:15-19, Psalms 72:12-14, Matthew 9:12, Matthew 9:13, Hebrews 2:10

Reciprocal: Judges 9:4 - vain 1 Samuel 23:13 - six hundred 1 Samuel 25:7 - we hurt 1 Samuel 25:10 - there be 2 Samuel 2:3 - his men 2 Chronicles 13:7 - vain men Job 30:6 - dwell Psalms 142:1 - when he was

Verse 3

Mizpeh: Judges 11:29

the king: 1 Samuel 14:47, Ruth 1:1-4, Ruth 4:10, Ruth 4:17

Let my father: Genesis 47:11, Exodus 20:12, Matthew 15:4-6, 1 Timothy 5:4

till I know: 1 Samuel 3:18, 2 Samuel 15:25, 2 Samuel 15:26, Philippians 2:23, Philippians 2:24

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:26 - as the Lord liveth 2 Samuel 10:2 - as his father Psalms 11:1 - how

Verse 4

in the hold: 2 Samuel 23:13, 2 Samuel 23:14, 1 Chronicles 12:16, Gad, 2 Samuel 24:11, 1 Chronicles 21:9, 1 Chronicles 29:29, 2 Chronicles 29:25, depart, 1 Samuel 23:1-6, Nehemiah 6:11, Psalms 11:1, Isaiah 8:12-14, David departed, Matthew 10:23

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 10:2 - as his father 1 Timothy 5:4 - learn

Verse 5

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 27:1 - there is nothing 2 Samuel 23:14 - an hold 2 Samuel 24:11 - Gad Proverbs 27:8 - man

Verse 6

tree: or, grove in a high place

spear: 1 Samuel 18:10, 1 Samuel 19:9, 1 Samuel 20:33

Verse 7

the son of Jesse: 1 Samuel 22:9, 1 Samuel 22:13, 1 Samuel 18:14, 1 Samuel 20:27, 1 Samuel 20:30, 1 Samuel 25:10, 2 Samuel 20:1, 1 Kings 12:16, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:10

give: 1 Samuel 8:14, 1 Samuel 8:15

captains: 1 Samuel 8:11, 1 Samuel 8:12

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:16 - heads Deuteronomy 1:15 - captains over thousands 1 Samuel 18:13 - removed 1 Samuel 22:12 - thou son 1 Samuel 23:19 - the Ziphites 1 Chronicles 12:18 - captains of the band 1 Chronicles 15:25 - captains 2 Chronicles 10:16 - the son Psalms 119:23 - Princes Proverbs 16:29 - General Proverbs 17:4 - General Proverbs 19:19 - man Ecclesiastes 10:13 - beginning Acts 24:5 - and a mover

Verse 8

showeth me: Heb. uncovereth mine ear, 1 Samuel 20:2, Job 33:16, *marg.

that my son: 1 Samuel 18:3, 1 Samuel 20:8, 1 Samuel 20:13-17, 1 Samuel 20:30-34, 1 Samuel 20:42, 1 Samuel 23:16-18

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:16 - General 1 Samuel 22:13 - Why have 1 Samuel 23:19 - the Ziphites 1 Samuel 23:21 - General 1 Samuel 25:10 - Who is David 2 Kings 6:11 - Will ye not Psalms 7:3 - if I Psalms 31:13 - I have Proverbs 29:12 - General Ecclesiastes 10:13 - beginning Matthew 1:6 - Jesse

Verse 9

Doeg: He is also said to be "the chiefest of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul;" and the Septuagint intimates that he was over the mules of Saul. He may have been what we call the king's equerry or groom. 1 Samuel 21:7, Psalms 52:1, *title Psalms 52:1-5, Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 29:12, Ezekiel 22:9, Matthew 26:59-61

Ahimelech: 1 Samuel 21:1-15

Ahitub: 1 Samuel 14:3

Reciprocal: Judges 1:1 - asked 1 Samuel 19:19 - General 1 Samuel 22:7 - the son of Jesse 1 Samuel 22:18 - Doeg 1 Samuel 22:19 - Nob 1 Chronicles 24:3 - Ahimelech 2 Chronicles 10:16 - the son Psalms 27:12 - false Psalms 64:6 - search Proverbs 24:28 - not Proverbs 30:10 - Accuse not James 3:6 - a world

Verse 10

he inquired: 1 Samuel 22:13, 1 Samuel 22:15, 1 Samuel 23:2, 1 Samuel 23:4, 1 Samuel 23:12, 1 Samuel 30:8, Numbers 27:21

him victuals: 1 Samuel 21:6-9

Reciprocal: Joshua 9:14 - asked not Judges 1:1 - asked 1 Samuel 19:19 - General 1 Chronicles 6:57 - they gave 1 Chronicles 13:3 - we inquired 1 Chronicles 20:5 - Goliath Psalms 27:4 - inquire Psalms 27:12 - false Proverbs 24:28 - not Proverbs 30:10 - Accuse not

Verse 11

sent to call: Romans 3:15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:19 - Nob 1 Kings 18:12 - he shall slay me Proverbs 29:10 - The bloodthirsty

Verse 12

thou son: 1 Samuel 22:7, 1 Samuel 22:13

Here I am: Heb. Behold me, 2 Samuel 9:6, Isaiah 65:1

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 1:7 - Here am I Job 38:35 - Here we are Psalms 94:20 - throne Matthew 5:22 - That

Verse 13

Why have: 1 Samuel 22:8, Psalms 119:69, Amos 7:10, Luke 23:2-5

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 18:12 - the Lord 1 Samuel 20:27 - the son 1 Samuel 22:7 - the son of Jesse 1 Samuel 22:10 - he inquired 1 Samuel 22:12 - thou son 1 Samuel 22:14 - the king's 1 Samuel 22:17 - slay the priests 2 Chronicles 10:16 - the son Psalms 7:3 - if I Psalms 35:12 - They Proverbs 19:3 - foolishness

Verse 14

And who: 1 Samuel 19:4, 1 Samuel 19:5, 1 Samuel 20:32, 1 Samuel 24:11, 1 Samuel 26:23, 2 Samuel 22:23-25, Proverbs 24:11, Proverbs 24:12, Proverbs 31:8, Proverbs 31:9

the king's: 1 Samuel 22:13, 1 Samuel 17:25, 1 Samuel 18:27

goeth: 1 Samuel 18:13, 1 Samuel 21:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:19 - honourable 1 Samuel 20:27 - the son 2 Samuel 23:23 - over his guard Psalms 7:4 - without Psalms 35:12 - They Psalms 101:2 - behave Proverbs 12:17 - that Proverbs 25:26 - General Proverbs 28:4 - but Proverbs 28:20 - faithful Daniel 6:4 - but Matthew 27:23 - Why Titus 2:10 - showing 1 John 3:12 - And

Verse 15

Did I then: He seems to intimate, that his enquiring now for David was no new thing, having often done so before, without ever being informed it was wrong in itself or displeasing to the king., the servant, Genesis 20:5, Genesis 20:6, 2 Samuel 15:11, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Peter 3:16, 1 Peter 3:17

less or more: Heb. little or great, 1 Samuel 25:36

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:22 - inquire 1 Samuel 22:10 - he inquired 2 Samuel 19:19 - Let not 1 Chronicles 13:3 - we inquired Proverbs 12:17 - that Proverbs 28:4 - but Proverbs 31:8 - Open

Verse 16

Thou shalt: 1 Samuel 14:44, 1 Samuel 20:31, 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 19:2, Proverbs 28:15, Daniel 2:5, Daniel 2:12, Daniel 3:19, Daniel 3:20, Acts 12:19

and: Deuteronomy 24:16, Esther 3:6, Matthew 2:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:17 - surely 1 Samuel 14:39 - General Ecclesiastes 10:13 - beginning

Verse 17

footmen: or, guard, Heb. runners, 1 Samuel 8:11, 2 Samuel 15:1, 1 Kings 1:5

slay the priests: 1 Samuel 22:13, 1 Samuel 20:33, 1 Samuel 25:17, 1 Kings 18:4

would not: 1 Samuel 14:45, Exodus 1:17, 2 Kings 1:13, 2 Kings 1:14, Acts 4:19

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:31 - I will cut 1 Samuel 19:17 - Why hast 2 Samuel 1:15 - Go near 2 Samuel 11:16 - he assigned 2 Samuel 13:28 - commanded 2 Samuel 21:1 - Saul 1 Kings 14:27 - guard 1 Kings 21:11 - did as Jezebel 2 Kings 1:11 - O man Psalms 44:22 - killed Psalms 55:20 - put Proverbs 28:15 - so Hebrews 11:37 - were slain

Verse 18

Doeg: 1 Samuel 22:9

he fell: 2 Chronicles 24:21, Hosea 5:11, Hosea 7:3, Micah 6:16, Zephaniah 3:3, Acts 26:10, Acts 26:11

fourscore: The LXX read, פסיבךןףיןץע ךבי נוםפו בםהסבע, "three hundred and five men;" and Josephus, "three hundred and eighty-five men." Probably the eighty-five were priests and the three hundred the families of the priests; three hundred and eighty-five being the whole population of Nob. 1 Samuel 2:30-33, 1 Samuel 2:36, 1 Samuel 3:12-14

a linen ephod: 1 Samuel 2:28, Exodus 28:40

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:18 - a linen ephod 2 Samuel 1:10 - slew 2 Samuel 1:15 - Go near 2 Samuel 6:14 - girded 2 Samuel 13:28 - commanded 2 Samuel 13:29 - servants Ezra 3:10 - they set Psalms 10:8 - sitteth Psalms 26:9 - bloody men Psalms 52:4 - devouring Psalms 78:64 - priests Psalms 141:7 - bones Proverbs 24:15 - Lay Proverbs 27:3 - but Ecclesiastes 7:15 - there is a just Hosea 3:4 - ephod

Verse 19

Nob: 1 Samuel 22:9, 1 Samuel 22:11, 1 Samuel 21:1, Nehemiah 11:32, Isaiah 10:32

men: 1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 15:9, Joshua 6:17, Joshua 6:21, Hosea 10:14, James 2:13

with the edge: This is one of the worst acts of Saul's life: his malice was implacable, and his wrath cruel; and there is no motive of justice or policy by which such a barbarous massacre can be justified.

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:10 - destroy the city 2 Samuel 13:29 - servants Esther 3:13 - both young Psalms 26:9 - bloody men Psalms 52:4 - devouring Psalms 78:64 - priests Psalms 141:7 - bones Proverbs 24:15 - Lay Proverbs 27:3 - but Ecclesiastes 7:15 - there is a just Jeremiah 44:7 - child

Verse 20

one: 1 Samuel 23:6, 1 Samuel 30:7, 2 Samuel 20:25, 1 Kings 2:26, 1 Kings 2:27

escaped: 1 Samuel 2:33, 1 Samuel 4:12, Job 1:15-17, Job 1:19

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 14:3 - Ahiah 1 Kings 1:7 - Abiathar 1 Chronicles 15:11 - Zadok Mark 2:26 - Abiathar

Verse 21

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:33 - to consume 1 Samuel 30:7 - Abiathar Job 1:15 - and I only

Verse 22

I have occasioned: 1 Samuel 21:1-9, Psalms 44:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:31 - servants shall 1 Samuel 21:2 - The king 1 Samuel 27:11 - Lest

Verse 23

he that seeketh: 1 Kings 2:26, Matthew 24:9, John 15:20, John 16:2, John 16:3, Hebrews 12:1-3

but with me: John 10:28-30, John 17:12, John 18:9

Reciprocal: Esther 7:4 - we are sold