I Samuel 22
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The cave Adullam - This was in the tribe of Judah, and, according to Eusebius and Jerome, ten miles eastward of what they call Eleutheropolis.
Open source ↗DAVID'S KINDRED AND OTHERS RESORT TO HIM AT ADULLAM. (Sa1 22:1-8) David . . . escaped to the cave Adullam--supposed to be that now called Deir-Dubban, a number of pits or underground vaults, some nearly square, and all about fifteen or twenty feet deep, with perpendicular sides, in the soft limestone or chalky rocks. They are on the borders of the Philistine plain at the base of the Judea mountains, six miles southwest from Beth-lehem, and well adapted for concealing a number of refugees. his brethren and all his father's house . . . went down--to escape the effects of Saul's rage, which seems to have extended to all David's family. From Beth-lehem to Deir-Dubban it is, indeed, a descent all the way.
Open source ↗David therefore departed from thence,.... From Gath, being driven by Achish from his court, and let go by his servants, and glad he was of the deliverance: and escaped to the cave Adullam; which was no doubt near to a city of the same name in the tribe of Judah, of which See Gill on Jos 15:35; this being a strong place, and in his own tribe, he might hope to be in greater safety; here he penned his hundred forty second psalm, see Psa 142:1, and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it; that he was come thither: they went down thither to him; to visit and comfort him, counsel and assist him all they could; and chiefly to secure themselves from the rage and malice of Saul, who they might fear would fall upon them, and avenge himself on them for David's sake.
Open source ↗Having been driven away by Achish, the Philistian king at Gath, David took refuge in the cave Adullam, where his family joined him. The cave Adullam is not to be sought for in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem, as some have inferred from Sa2 23:13-14, but near the town Adullam, which is classed in Jos 15:35 among the towns in the lowlands of Judah, and at the foot of the mountains; though it has not yet been traced with any certainty, as the caves of Deir Dubban, of which Van de Velde speaks, are not the only large caves on the western slope of the mountains of Judah. When his brethren and his father's house, i.e., the rest of his family, heard of his being there, they came down to him, evidently because they no longer felt themselves safe in Bethlehem from Saul's revenge. The cave Adullam cannot have been more than three hours from Bethlehem, as Socoh and Jarmuth, which were near to Adullam, were only three hours and a half from Jerusalem (see at Jos 12:15). Sa1 22:2 There a large number of malcontents gathered together round David, viz., all who were in distress, and all who had creditors, and all who were embittered in spirit (bitter of soul), i.e., people who were dissatisfied with the general state of affairs or with the government of Saul, - about four hundred men, whose leader he became. David must in all probability have stayed there a considerable time. The number of those who went over to him soon amounted to six hundred men (Sa1 23:13), who were for the most part brave and reckless, and who ripened into heroic men under the command of David during his long flight. A list of the bravest of them is given in 1 Chron 12, with which compare Sa2 23:13. and Ch1 11:15. Sa1 22:3-5 David proceeded thence to Mizpeh in Moab, and placed his parents in safety with the king of…
Open source ↗Here, I. David shelters himself in the cave of Adullam, Sa1 22:1. Whether it was a natural or artificial fastness does not appear; it is probable that the access to it was so difficult that David thought himself able, with Goliath's sword, to keep it against all the forces of Saul, and therefore buried himself alive in it, while he was waiting to see (and he says here, Sa1 22:3) what God would do with him. The promise of the kingdom implied a promise of preservation to it, and yet David used proper means for his own safety, otherwise he would have tempted God. He did not do any thing that aimed to destroy Saul, but only to secure himself. He that might have done great service to his country as a judge or general is here shut up in a cave, and thrown by as a vessel in which there was no pleasure. We must not think it strange if sometimes shining lights be thus eclipsed and hidden under a bushel. Perhaps the apostle refers to this instance of David, among others, when he speaks of some of the Old Testament worthies that wandered in deserts, in dens and caves of the earth, Heb 11:38. It was at this time that David penned Psa 142:1-7, which is entitled, A prayer when David was in the cave; and there he complains that no man would know him and that refuge failed him, but hopes that shortly the righteous would compass him about. II. Thither his relations flocked to him, his brethren and all his father's house, to be protected by him, to give assistance to him, and to take their lot with him. A brother is born for adversity. Now, Joab, and Abishai, and the rest of his relations, came to him, to suffer and venture with him, in hopes shortly to be advanced with him; and they were so. The first three of his worthies were those that first owed him when he was in the cave, Ch1 11:1…
Open source ↗22:1-23 Saul’s character becomes evident here. Unable to exact revenge on David himself, Saul slaughtered those he believed to be guilty of giving aid and comfort to David. 22:1 Adullam was some sixteen miles southwest of Jerusalem, near Philistine territory. • Had David’s brothers and all his other relatives stayed in Bethlehem, they would have been vulnerable to Saul’s revenge.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מָלַט (mâlaṭ, H4422) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness);… מְעָרָה (mᵉʻârâh, H4631) — a cavern (as dark) עֲדֻלָּם (ʻĂdullâm, H5725) — Adullam, a place in Palestine אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מָצוֹק (mâtsôwq, H4689) — a narrow place, i.e. (abstractly and figuratively) confinement or disability נָשָׁא (nâshâʼ, H5378) — to lend on interest; by implication, to dun fordebt מַר (mar, H4751) — bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מִצְפֶּה (Mitspeh, H4708) — Mitspeh, the name of five places in Palestine מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗נָחָה (nâchâh, H5148) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מָצוּד (mâtsûwd, H4686) — a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness
Open source ↗נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מָצוּד (mâtsûwd, H4686) — a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) חֶרֶת (Chereth, H2802) — Chereth, a thicket in Palestine
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… גִּבְעָה (Gibʻâh, H1390) — Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine אֵשֶׁל (ʼêshel, H815) — a tamarisk tree; by extension, a grove of any kind רָמָה (Râmâh, H7414) — Ramah, the name of four places in Palestine חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בֶּן־יְמִינִי (Ben-yᵉmîynîy, H1145) — a Benjaminite, or descendent of Benjamin בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗קָשַׁר (qâshar, H7194) — to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league) גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָרַב (ʼârab, H693) — to lurk יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… דֹּאֵג (Dôʼêg, H1673) — Doeg, an Edomite אֱדֹמִי (ʼĔdômîy, H130) — an Edomite, or descendants from (or inhabitants of) Edom נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נֹב (Nôb, H5011) — Nob, a place in Palestine אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite אֲחִיטוּב (ʼĂchîyṭûwb, H285) — Achitub, the name of several priests
Open source ↗שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) צֵידָה (tsêydâh, H6720) — food חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… גׇּלְיַת (Golyath, H1555) — Goljath, a Philistine פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֲחִיטוּב (ʼĂchîyṭûwb, H285) — Achitub, the name of several priests אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נֹב (Nôb, H5011) — Nob, a place in Palestine בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֲחִיטוּב (ʼĂchîyṭûwb, H285) — Achitub, the name of several priests אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קָשַׁר (qâshar, H7194) — to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אָרַב (ʼârab, H693) — to lurk יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חָתָן (châthân, H2860) — a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) מִשְׁמַעַת (mishmaʻath, H4928) — audience, i.e. the royal court; also obedience, i.e. (concretely) a subject כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.
the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
I will again bring a conqueror against you, O dweller of Mareshah. The glory of Israel will come to Adullam.
For behold, the LORD comes forth from His dwelling place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.
Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,