CHAPTER XXII _David flees to the cave of Adullam, where he is joined by four_ _hundred men of various descriptions_, 1, 2. _He goes afterwards to Moab; and by the advice of the prophet_ _Gad, to the forest of Hareth_, 3-5. _Saul, suspecting his servants of infidelity, upbraids them_, 6-8. _Doe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:2. _AND EVERY ONE_ THAT WAS _IN DISTRESS - DEBT - DISCONTENTED_] It is very possible that these several disaffected and exceptionable characters might at first have supposed that David, unjustly persecuted, would be glad to avail himself of their assistance that he might revenge h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:3. _HE SAID UNTO THE KING OF MOAB_] David could not trust his parents within the reach of Saul, and he found it very inconvenient to them to be obliged to go through all the fatigues of a military life, and therefore begs the king of Moab to give them shelter. The king of Moab, bei... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:5. _GET THEE INTO THE LAND OF JUDAH_] Gad saw that in this place alone he could find safety.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:6. _SAUL ABODE IN GIBEAH_] Saul and his men were in pursuit of David, and had here, as is the general custom in the East, encamped on a _height_, for so _Ramah_ should be translated, as in the margin. His _spear_, the ensign of power (see on 1 Samuel 18:11), was at hand, that is st... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:8. THERE IS _NONE THAT SHOWETH ME_] He conjectured that Jonathan had made a league with David to dethrone him, and he accuses them of disloyalty for not making the discovery of this unnatural treason. Now it was impossible for any of them to show what did not exist, no such league... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:9. _DOEG THE EDOMITE, WHICH WAS SET OVER THE SERVANTS OF_ _SAUL_] In 1 Samuel 21:7 he is said to be _the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul_, and the _Septuagint_ intimate that he was _over the mules of Saul_. Probably he was what we call the king's _equery_ or _groom_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:10. _AND HE INQUIRED OF THE LORD FOR HIM_] This circumstance is not related in history; but it is probably true, as David would most naturally wish to know where to direct his steps in this very important crisis.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:14. _AND WHO IS SO FAITHFUL_] The word נאמן _neeman_, which we here translate _faithful_, is probably the name of an _officer_. Numbers 12:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:15. _DID I THEN BEGIN TO INQUIRE OF GOD_] He probably means that his inquiring _now_ for David was no _new thing_, having often done so before, and without ever being informed it was either wrong in itself, or displeasing to the king. Nor is it likely that Ahimelech knew of any dis... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:17. _BUT THE SERVANTS OF THE KING WOULD NOT_] They dared to disobey the commands of the king in a case of such injustice, inhumanity, and irreligion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:18. _AND DOEG-FELL UPON THE PRIESTS_] A ruthless Edomite, capable of any species of iniquity. _FOURSCORE AND FIVE PERSONS_] The Septuagint read τριακοσιους και πεντε ανδρας, _three hundred and five men_; and Josephus has _three_ _hundred and eighty-five men_. Probably the eighty-f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:19. _AND NOB - SMOTE HE WITH THE EDGE OF THE SWORD_] 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:20. _ABIATHAR, ESCAPED_] This man carried with him his _sacerdotal garments_, as we find from 1 Samuel 23:6; 1 Samuel 23:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:22. _I KNEW IT THAT DAY_] When I saw Doeg there, I suspected he would make the matter known to Saul. _I HAVE OCCASIONED THE DEATH OF ALL THE PERSONS_] I have been the innocent cause of their destruction.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 22:23. _HE THAT SEEKETH MY LIFE SEEKETH THY LIFE_] The enmity of Saul is directed against thee as well as against me, and thou canst have no safety but in being closely attached to me; and I will defend thee even at the risk of my own life. This he was bound in duty and conscience to... [ Continue Reading ]