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1 Samuel
Chapter Twenty-two
1 Samuel 22
Chapter Contents
David at Adullam
Many resort to him. (1-5) Saul destroys
the priests of Nob. (6-19) Abiathar escapes to David. (20-23)
Commentary on 1 Samuel 22:1-5
(Read 1 Samuel 22:1-5)
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.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 22:6-19
(Read 1 Samuel 22:6-19)
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.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 22:20-23
(Read 1 Samuel 22:20-23)
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
Psalm 91:1. In the hurry and distraction David
was continually in
he found time for communion with God
and found comfort in
it.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 1 Samuel》
1 Samuel 22
Verse 2
[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.
Debt - Probably poor debtors
whom the
creditors were obliged to spare
Exodus 22:25. And though their persons were with
David
yet their lands and goods were liable to their creditors.
Captain over them — He
did not maintain any injustice or wickedness
which some of them possibly might
be guilty of; but on the contrary
he instructed and obliged them to the
practice of all justice and honesty.
Verse 3
[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.
'Till I know
… — He
expresses his hopes very modestly
as one that had entirely cast himself upon
God
and committed his way to him
trusting not in his own arts or arms
but in
the wisdom
power and goodness of God.
Verse 4
[4] And
he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while
that David was in the hold.
Hold — In
holds; the singular number being put for the plural; as is frequent; that is
as long as David was forced to go from place to place
and from hold to hold
to secure himself: for it concerned David to secure his father
and he did
doubtless secure him for all that time; and not only while he was in the hold
of Mizpeh
or of Adullam
which was but a little while.
Verse 5
[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.
Abide not — Do
not shut up thyself here.
Judah — Go
and shew thyself in the land of Judah
that thou mayest publicly put in thy
claim to the kingdom after Saul's death; and that thy friends may be invited
and encouraged to appear on thy behalf. Hereby also God would exercise David's
faith
and wisdom
and courage; and so prepare him for the kingdom.
Verse 6
[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;)
Spear — It
seems
as an ensign of majesty
for in old times kings carried a spear instead
of a sceptre.
Verse 7
[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;
Ye Benjamites —
You that are of my own tribe and kindred
from whom David designs to translate
the kingdom to another tribe. Will he distribute profits and preferments among
you Benjamites
as I have done? Will he not rather prefer those of his own
tribe before you?
Verse 8
[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?
That all
… —
See the nature of jealousy
and its arts of wheedling to extort discoveries of
things that are not.
Verse 10
[10] And
he enquired of the LORD for him
and gave him victuals
and gave him the sword
of Goliath the Philistine.
He enquired —
David chargeth him with the sin of lying
Psalms 52:3
and it is not improbable
that he
told many lies not here expressed; and withal
he was guilty of concealing part
of the truth
which in this case he was obliged to declare for Ahimelech's just
defence
namely
the artifice whereby David circumvented Ahimelech: making him
believe
that he was then going upon the king's business
so that the service
he did to David
was designed in honour to Saul.
Verse 11
[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.
The priests — Of
the house of Eli
which God had threatened to cut off
chap. 2:31.
Verse 14
[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?
And said — He
doth not determine the difference between Saul and David; nor affirm what David
now was: but only declared what David formerly had been
and what he was still
for anything he knew to the contrary.
Verse 15
[15] Did
I then begin to enquire 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.
Knew nothing of all this — Of any design against thee.
Verse 18
[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.
The Edomite —
This is noted to wipe off the stain of this butchery from the Israelitish
nation
and to shew
why he was so ready to do it
because he was one of that
nation which had an implacable hatred against all Israelites
and against the
priests of the Lord.
Verse 19
[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.
Both men
… — In
all the life of Saul
there is no wickedness to be compared to this. He appears
now to be wholly under the power of that evil spirit which had long tormented
him. And this destruction could not but go to the heart of every pious
Israelite
and make them wish a thousand times
they had been content with the
government of Samuel.
Verse 20
[20] And
one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub
named Abiathar
escaped
and
fled after David.
Abiathar —
Who by his father's death was now high-priest.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 1 Samuel》
22 Chapter 22
Verses 1-23
Verse 1-2
David therefore departed thence
and escaped to the cave of
Adullam.
David at the cave of Adullam
David had strangled a lion
slain a giant
and overcome two
hundred Philistines; but he is himself overcome by his needless fear. The fear
that terrified David arose as much from his own sin as from Saul’s fury. Had
David been truthful to the priest at Nob he would not have had to dissemble
before the king of Gath
and hide like a traitor in the cave of Adullam. One
misstep leads to another. The troubles of life frequently spring from our own
folly.
I. David’s escape
to the cave of Adullam.
1. It was a place of perfect safety.
2. It was a place of comparative seclusion. David needed rest and
quiet. The tremendous excitement through which he had passed had exhausted both
body and mind.
3. It was a place of earnest supplication. If David sinned at Nob
he
sincerely repented at Adullam. David sought for forgiveness for his sin. David
sought protection from his enemies. David sought deliverance from his prison.
There is a cave of Adullam in every life. Doubt may be such a cave. Persecution
may be such a cave. Sickness may be such a cave. Bereavement may be such a
cave. There is no cave deep and dark enough to shut out God.
II. David’s
associates in the cave of Adullam. Notice three things respecting David’s
followers:
1. It was an affectionate association. In time of trouble God will
raise up friends to comfort His believing children.
2. It was a mixed association.
3. It was a faithful association. These men proved both their courage
and constancy. When David longed for water from Bethlehem they imperilled their
lives to gratify his desire. David’s experience agrees in some points with
Christ’s. David was concealed in a cave
Christ was laid in a manger. David was
an outlaw
Christ was despised and rejected of men. David was sustained by men
in distress
Christ selected for His disciples men who were poor and unknown.
David was made a captain over four hundred
Christ is the Captain and Saviour
of all who are in distress. If any man is weary of Satan’s service
he may
become a soldier of the cross.
III. David’s
thoughtfulness in the cave of Adullam. David was therefore deeply concerned for
their safety
and his ardent attachment manifested itself in three ways:
1. By his dangerous journey to promote the comfort of his parents.
“David went thence to Moab.” This was not a long journey
but it was difficult
to accomplish.
2. By his earnest intercession to obtain protection for his parents.
3. By his special endeavour to secure respect for his parents. “He
brought them before the king:” This was a prudent introduction. “And they dwelt
with him”: This was gracious reception. “All the while that David was in the
hold:” This was generous hospitality. We cannot too highly commend David’s
devotion to his parents. He was willing to sacrifice his life and liberty for
their safety.
IV. David’s
departure from the cave of Adullam. We may learn three things from David’s
departure from the cave of Adullam.
1. Good men receive timely direction from God. “Abide not in the
hold.” God will not disappoint those who wait for his guidance. The steps of a
good man are ordered by the Lord.
2. Good men receive minute direction from God. “Get thee into the
land of Judah.” All the agencies of life--seen and unseen--known and
unknown--are regulated by God.
3. Good men promptly obey the direction of God. “Then David
departed.” Whether God call us to serve or suffer
we must cheerfully obey. We
dare not resist
the leadings of Divine providence. There is a time coming when
we must all depart. (J. T. Woodhouse.)
Verse 2
And everyone that was in distress
and everyone that was in debt
and everyone that was discontented
gathered themselves unto him.
A refuge for the distressed
At the period of which the text speaks
David was leading the life
of an outcast and an outlaw. Being expelled from Israel and Philistia
nothing
remained for him to do but to gather around him a band of equally unfortunate
men and defend himself with his sword. Cannot we see in David collecting around
him all who were in distress
in debt
or for any reason discontented
a
foreshadow of the Friend of publicans and sinners
of Him who said
“Come unto
Me
all ye that labour and are heavy laden
and I will give you rest.” Again a
man’s religion may be concealed in his heart
and may not do the good it ought
to do as an example till distress come upon him and cause it to be seen in all
its power. In many a true believer piety is like a drum
which nobody hears of
unless it be beaten. The cave of Adullam was a refuge for debtors
and so is
the Church of Christ. The third class of people who came to David at the cave
of Adullam were those who were discontented. So
too
there is a “Divine
discontent” which brings people to Christ. Are you dissatisfied? Then go to
Christ and fill up the hollowness of your soul with Him. This is the truth
which is contained in the common saying
that when people become disappointed
with the world
it is the last resource to turn saint. The last thing we note
about the miserable men who came for refuge to David is that they were taught
by him to live good lives. They were a rough
lawless set of men
yet they
could be kept in check by the influence of their beloved captain
David. So
useful and helpful to their neighbours did these soldiers become
that the
servants of Nabal could not help acknowledging as much. “But the men were very
good unto us
and we were not hurt
neither missed we anything
as long as we
were conversant with them.” Now surely if men’s lives were made good by coming
to David
the effect which coming to Christ should have upon our characters is
infinitely more beneficial. (E. J. Hardy
M. A.)
Verses 5-23
And the prophet Gad said unto David.
A friend and a foe
I. The visit of
Gad the seer. David had been brought very low through his own mistakes. God
proved him in the hold. Then He sent to him. Wherever you are
wait for a
message from God before you move
II. Saul’s appeal
to his servants. No one answered it but the alien Doeg. Notice
Herod was an
Edomite. The race always conspicuous for hatred to Israel. What circumspection
is necessary in God’s children! Always a Doeg looking on! (Exodus 23:13; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 2:15-16.) False
witness
often nearly true. “A lie that is half a truth is ever the worst of
lies” (Mark 14:55-59; Matthew 26:61). Built on supposition (Acts 21:27-29).
III. “God fulfils
Himself in many ways.” The massacre of Nob
though unjustifiable in Saul
was
God’s sentence on Eli’s house (1 Samuel 3:12-14; Isaiah 5:7
etc.)
IV. Security with
david (1 Samuel 22:23). This was beautiful
faith. The outcast promising protection because the Lord was with him. He was
willing to protect him with his life. So was Jesus. He was not only willing
but He did it (1 John 3:8; 1 John 3:16). (R. E. Faulkner.)
Verse 14
And Ahimelech answered the king
and said
And who is so faithful
among all thy servants as David.
In defence of the king
Now
it was for acts of kindness to David
the outcast and
fugitive
that Ahimelech the high priest was confronted by the infuriated king.
Ahimelech answered the king and said
“And who is so faithful among all thy
servants as David
the king’s son-in-law
who goes at thy bidding and is
honourable in thine house? Did I pray for him as against thee? That were far
from me. Let not the king accuse me falsely; for as to trouble between Saul and
David I knew nothing
less or more.” Brave words
O priest! Never did martyr
witness more magnificently for the truth
and never with less hope of pardon.
The gigantic figure of the king
clad in armour and terrible in wrath
towered
before the white-robed priest. It is a vary beautiful
even if it be a very
costly
thing to live a righteous life. The whole spirit and range of heroism
is to be found in that order of piety which this high priest illustrated and
adorned. Analyse this great high priestly life.
I. It was a life
often up in defence of the king’s better nature against his worse nature. He
aimed to rescue Saul from Saul. It is as if he had said
“Why do you so unking
yourself as to injure a man who would not injure you? David is your friend.
Jealousy demeans you. Jealousy and not David is your real foe.”
II. Again
it was a
life given up in defence of Ahimelech’s own better nature against his lower
nature. Doubtless this high priestly life was of value to him who had it. But
he made no plea foe it. He pleaded only for the life of the outcast and
fugitive.
III. It was a life
given up in defence of the innocent fugitive. Ahimelech
friend of the king
dared to defend the outcast David.
IV. Now consider
that this defence--three fold--is worth whatever it costs. The defence of my
neighbour’s better nature against his worse nature; of my own better nature
against my worse nature
and of Christ against the world
is worth whatever it
may cost. First
because a man’s soul
or immortal nature
is of more value to
him than any imaginable physical safety or comfort. Second
because my
neighbour’s better nature is of more value to the world and to me
than
anything else I can give to the world
or the world can give me. This world has
enough of everything but goodness. It does not need that I give it anything
unless I can give it goodness. Let me help a man to conquer himself and I am a
philanthropist. Third
it is worth all it costs because
in defending the
outcast against the king
we may be defending the king against the outcast. In
the councils of heaven Saul the king is the outcast and David the outcast is
the king. This striking reversal of the real and the apparent is one of the
most ordinary of processes when heaven looks at earth. Things are not what they
seem. However little the evidence of it
Righteousness is the one true monarch
over men. (Edward Braislin
D. D.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》