1 Samuel 22
David Hides and Saul Murders
David fled from cities to caves in this section as Saul’s pursuit of him reached new levels of intensity, and a mixture of both fear and faith continued to characterize the responses of the future king.
David Fled to A Cave
Adullam
Vs. 1 - So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam.
Where could David go at this point? He had been to a city of priests and a city of Philistines, and now he was in a cave. He was running like a fugitive, even fearing for the lives of his family because of the relentless hatred of Saul.
The town of Adullam (lit. refuge) stood a mile or two south of the Elah Valley, where David had slain Goliath. There are many huge caves in the limestone hills in that area, several of which can accommodate over 400 people. - Thomas Constable
Family
Vs. 1 - When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there.
Vs. 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 know what God will do for me.” So he left them in the care of the king of Moab
Commentators note that David’s family was likely also in danger of falling victim to Saul’s murderous mission. It’s interesting that David prioritized their safety during this bizarre and scary season.
Desperate and Discontent
Vs. 2 - Every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
David now became the leader of a group of people who, for various reasons, had become discontented with Saul’s government. One cannot read 1 Samuel 22:2 without reflecting on how needy people later sought and now seek refuge in David’s greatest son, Jesus Christ. This growing movement of support behind David led eventually to his crowning as king of all Israel. - Thomas Constable
Do you see the truth of which this Old Testament story is so graphic a picture? Just as in David’s day, there is a King in exile who is gathering around Him a company of people who are in distress, in debt, and discontented. He is training and preparing them for the day when He shall come to reign. - Redpath
Psalms 57 and 142
Commentators note that Psalms 57 and 142 are attributed to a time when David fled for refuge in caves. His lyrics reveal that, though he was keenly aware of the danger he faced, he knew it was God alone who would secure his survival.
Psalm 57:1-2 - Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in you. I will seek refuge in the shadow of your wings until danger passes. I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalm 142:4-6 - Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.
Saul Unhinged
Soldiers
Vs. 8 - That’s why all of you have conspired against me!
By this time, King Saul was riddled with panic and paranoia at every turn, and this increasing instability must have proved difficult for his family and close associates. Here we find him accusing both his soldiers and his son of plotting to overthrow his throne.
Jonathan
Vs. 8 - Nobody tells me when my own son makes a covenant with Jesse’s son.
What kind of relationship could Jonathan have maintained with his father at this point? The king could not comprehend why his son would so willingly give up his right to rule. Likely, in his commitment to God and his covenant with David, Jonathan gave up any chance of reconnecting with Saul.
Doeg
Vs. 9 - Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul’s servants, answered, “I saw Jesse’s son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.
Saul wanted someone to blame for David’s survival, so Doeg took this opportunity to redirect the king’s anger away from his soldiers and on to Ahimelech.
Doeg Executes The Priests
Saul’s Command
Vs. 16 - But the king said, “You will die, Ahimelech—you and your father’s whole family!”
This must have been a shocking declaration for everyone present. The king had reached a new level of desperation and determination to protect his power.
Soldiers’ Refusal
Vs. 17 - But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to execute the priests of the Lord.
Saul’s soldiers had too much respect for the priesthood to slay the anointed servants of the Lord. Moreover they probably realized that Saul’s order was irrational. - Thomas Constable
Doeg’s Willingness
Vs. 18 - So the king said to Doeg, “Go and execute the priests!”
Doeg was an Edomite, a foreigner who had less respect for the Mosaic Law. He not only obeyed the king but went beyond Saul’s command and slaughtered all the men, women, children, and animals in Nob. Nonetheless Saul was also responsible. - Thomas Constable
This would have been an unimaginable scene of horror and violence as one man took the lives of 85 priests and an entire city of “both men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.”
This is one of the worst acts in the life of Saul; his malice was implacable, and his wrath was cruel, and there is no motive of justice or policy by which such a barbarous act can be justified. - Clarke
A bloody sentence, harshly pronounced and as rashly executed, without any pause or deliberation, without any remorse or regret. This was the worst act that ever Saul did. - Trapp
Abiathar Escaped
An Escape
Vs. 20 - However, one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped.
God preserved one of Eli’s descendants even though 85 other priests died. This man fled to David, so from then on the priesthood was with David rather than Saul. - Thomas Constable
An Acknowledgement
Vs. 22 - Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day and that he was sure to report to Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s family.
David acknowledged that his deception of Ahimelech was responsible for the slaughter of the priests. Even though David was the cause of 85 priests’ deaths, this was one way God partially fulfilled the prophecy concerning Eli’s descendants (1 Samuel 2:27-36). God used David’s folly to accomplish His will. So even in this, David became a blessing. This in no way justifies David’s lie, but it does show how even in his sinning, David was used by God for blessing. - Thomas Constable
Though David’s sin of deception was not to be excused, God used all things, even failures, to accomplish His purposes. In a complex tapestry of people and providence, He was always at work to keep His promise and to preserve a remnant.
A Promise
Vs. 23 - You will be safe with me.
David could not do anything about the priests who were already murdered. He confessed his guilt in the matter and sought forgiveness from the LORD. Now, all he can do is minister to the need in front of him – Abiathar, the surviving priest. - David Guzik
Surely David doubted that anyone was truly safe with him? But the psalms he wrote during this time reveal both fear and frustration. But David confessed his sin, committed to his God, and waited for deliverance. He could only welcome this son of Ahimelech into his camp with this confidence as he remembered that refuge and safety, according to Psalm 57, could be found only under the “wings” of the One Who would fulfill His purposes in the end.
Psalm 52
We know from the subtitle that David wrote this psalm in response to these bizarre events. Like many of his reflections, the lyrics reveal both frustration and faith as he waited for God’s justice and deliverance.
Frustration with Doeg: Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue (Psalm 52:1a, 2-4).
Focus God’s Justice: God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living (Psalm 52:5).
Faith on God’s Deliverance: But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good (Psalm 52:8-9).
