And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the Lord's priests. Of which perhaps he had not as yet heard; though tidings of such a nature generally fly swiftly; and a sorrowful shocking account he had to give, and which was so to David. read more
The tragedy at Nob. The facts are— 1 . Saul commands his guards to slay the priests of Nob, but they refuse. 2 . Thereupon he commands Doeg to effect their death, who slays eighty-five priests, and procures the destruction of the entire city. 3 . Abiathar, escaping to David, makes known to him what has happened. 4 . David perceives that his presence at Nob was the occasion of this sad calamity, and admits that he feared the course Doeg would take. 5 . He encourages... read more
Massacre and safeguard. The tragic interest of this passage groups itself about four men: I. SAUL AND HIS MAD TYRANNY . How much allowance may be made for actual insanity in the king God only knows. But it must not be forgotten that the disorder of his mind was largely due to his own indulgence of fierce and arrogant passions, and his wilful refusal to obey the commands of the Lord and the guidance of his prophet. He had now become quite furious in his jealousy of David and... read more
Abiathar escaped. Probably he was left in charge of the sanctuary when Ahimelech and the rest were summoned into the king's presence, and on news being brought of Saul's violence, at once made his escape, Naturally, as representing a family who, though originally Saul's friends, had suffered so much for David, he was kindly received, and a friendship commenced which lasted all David's life; but, taking at last Adonijah's side, he was deprived by Solomon of the high priesthood, and sent into... read more
A fighting unit (22:1-23)David found a hiding place in the barren regions of Adullam. Here he was joined by his family, who had fled to escape the hate and revenge of Saul (22:1; see Psalms 57:0; Psalms 63:0; Psalms 142:0). Knowing this hard life would be too much for his aged parents, he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and returned to his home territory of Judah. By now a crowd of four hundred, mainly outlaws and discontented people, had joined David, and he soon built these into a... read more
Saul’s slaughter of the priests 22:6-23The writer’s attention focused next on Saul’s activities. He used the literary device of focusing on David, then on Saul, then on David, etc. He used the same technique in chapters 1-3 with Samuel and Eli’s sons to contrast Samuel’s goodness with the wickedness of Hophni and Phinehas. The same purpose is in view in chapters 21-31 with David and Saul.Saul was aware that some in his army, apparently even some of his tribal kinsmen from Benjamin, had deserted... read more
David in the Cave of Adullam. Saul’s Slaughter of the Priests at Nob1. Adullam] probably in the valley of Elah between Philistia and Hebron. 2. Four hundred] They soon increased to six hundred (1 Samuel 23:13). Cp. the description given of Jephthah’s band in Judges 11:3.5. Gad] is here mentioned for the first time. After David’s accession he became the king’s seer (2 Samuel 24:11). He was sent to rebuke David for his sin in numbering the people, and after his death wrote a history of his reign... read more
CHAPTER XXIX.DAVID AT ADULLAM, MIZPEH, AND HARETH.1 Samuel 22:1-23.THE cave of Adullam, to which David fled on leaving Gath, has been placed in various localities even in modern times; but as the Palestine Exploration authorities have placed the town in the valley of Elah, we may regard it as settled that the cave lay there, not far indeed from the place where David had had his encounter with Goliath. It was a humble dwelling for a king’s son-in-law, nor could David have thought of needing it... read more
CHAPTER 22 1. In the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1-2 ) 2. In Moab and Gad’s message (1 Samuel 22:3-5 ) 3. Saul’s discovery of David’s visit to Nob (1 Samuel 22:6-10 ) 4. The murder of the priests (1 Samuel 22:11-19 ) 5. David and Abiathar (1 Samuel 22:20-23 ) Next we find him in the cave of Adullam (a witness). Here a strange company gathers around the rejected king. It consisted of 400 men. He became their captain. Some of them were in distress, others in debt, and discontented.... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:20-23
Here is, 1. The escape of Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, out of the desolations of the priests? city. Probably when his father went to appear, upon Saul's summons, he was left at home to attend the altar, by which means he escaped the first execution, and, before Doeg and his bloodhounds came to Nob, he had intelligence of the danger, and had time to shift for his own safety. And whither should he go but to David? 1 Sam. 22:20. Let those that suffer for the Son of David commit the keeping of... read more