1 Samuel 22

1 Samuel 22:1

3. David’s Escape and Saul’s Slaughter of the Priests (Chap. 22)22:1, 2 When David returned to Israel, he found shelter in the cave of Adullam, in the territory of Judah, southwest of Bethlehem. This became a place for all who were distressed, discontented, and in debt. David here is a type of Christ in His present rejection, calling the downhearted to Himself for salvation. In a short time, a small army of about four hundred men had gathered at Adullam; later it would expand to six hundred men. In the world these men were misfits, but under David they became mighty men of valor (2 Sam. 23). 22:3-5 David’s parents had joined him too. Because of concern for their welfare, he traveled to . . . Moab to make arrangements for them to stay there while he was in hiding. Though David was a descendant of Ruth, a Moabitess (Rth_4:17), he was wrong in putting confidence in the Lord’s enemies. (Tradition says that the Moabites eventually killed David’s parents.) Soon after David returned, the prophet Gad told him to leave Adullam, so he went to the forest of Hereth, also in Judah. 22:6-8 In Gibeah, in the land of Benjamin, Saul was ranting to the Benjamites and to his servants against David. He asked them if David would reward them as generously as he had done. David, after all, was not from their tribe. Saul accused them of concealing from him plots against his life. By now he was completely paranoid and irrational. He saw everyone as being against him, even his own son. 22:9-15 Doeg the Edomite, wanting to make the most of his opportunity to impress the king, told Saul how Ahimelech the priest had helped David by giving him provisions and inquiring of the LORD for him. The priest and his family were promptly summoned to the king and charged with treason. In reply, Ahimelech cited David’s loyalty to the king and his own innocence in helping a man whom he believed to be faithful to Saul. He pointed out that this was not the first time he had inquired of the Lord for David. As for Saul’s accusation that David was rebelling against him and lying in wait for him, Ahimelech said he knew nothing at all about it. 22:16-19 Saul’s actions prove that he was quite insane by now. When his guards refused to kill the priests of the LORD, Doeg, a Gentile “dog” in the true sense of the word, fell on them swiftly, little caring that they were priests, and slew eighty-five of them. As if that was not enough, he also attacked Nob, Ahimelech’s city, and killed all the inhabitants and livestock. 22:20-23 Only Abiathar survived; he fled to David and told him what had taken place. Then he stayed with David and served as high priest until he was justly removed from office by Solomon (1Ki_2:27). In one sense the death of the priests was the result of David’s lying and scheming (v. 22). In another sense it was the judgment of God upon the house of Eli (1Sa_2:31-36; 1Sa_3:11-14). But Saul himself must bear the major share of the blame for the massacre, since he ordered it. Prophet (Gad), priest (Abiathar), and king (David), all in exile together, picture Christ today as He waits until His enemies are made His footstool and His throne is set up on earth.