1 Samuel 22:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:1-5

Here, I. David shelters himself in the cave of Adullam, 1 Sam. 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, 1 Sam. 22:3) what God would do with him. The promise of the kingdom implied a promise of preservation to it, and yet David... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:2

And everyone that was in distress ,.... In straitened circumstances, through the oppression of men, through poverty, and afflictive providences in their families: and everyone that was in debt ; and not able to pay their debts, and whose creditors were pressing upon them: and everyone that was discontented ; with Saul's government and conduct: or "bitter in soul" F24 מר נפש "amarus animo", Pagninus, Montanus. ; distressed and uneasy in their minds, being pinched with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 himself upon Saul, and so they in the mean time might profit by plunder, etc. But if this were their design they were greatly disappointed, for David never made any improper use of them. They are never... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:1-2

The cave of Adullam. David knew well that he could nevermore live in safety at the court of Saul. He would not raise a hand against his king and father-in-law, but he would not place himself again within his reach. Better a free life even in deserts and caves of the earth than a life in constant peril in ceiled houses. Behold him then in the cave of Adullam. I. THE CAPTAIN OF THE REFUGEES . No question arises here respecting the right of revolt against a perverse, tyrannical... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:1-5

Difficult circumstances. The facts are— 1 . David, escaping from Garb, takes refuge in the cave of Adullam. 2 . Here he is joined by his kindred and a miscellaneous band of men, over whom he exercises authority as captain. 3 . Anxious for the comfort of his father and mother, he desires and obtains of the king of Moab permission for them to dwell at Mizpeh. 4 . On being advised by the prophet Gad, he returns to Judah. This section covers the conduct of David up to the point... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:2

Everyone that was in distress ,… in debt , or discontented (Hebrew, bitter of soul), gathered themselves unto him. Had Saul's government been just and upright David would have had no followers; but he never rose above the level of a soldier, had developed all that arbitrariness which military command fosters in self-willed minds, and seems entirely unaware of its being his duty to attend to the righteous administration of the law. The Israelites had in him the very king they had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 22:2

Discontented - See the margin. (Compare 1 Samuel 30:6; 2 Samuel 17:8.) The phrase here denotes those who were exasperated by Saul’s tyranny. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 22:2

1 Samuel 22:2. Every one that was in distress אישׁ מצוק , ish matsok, the man straitened or oppressed. And every one that was in debt אשׁר לו נשׁא asher lo noshee, the man that had a creditor. Probably poor debtors, whom their creditors were obliged to spare, Exodus 22:25. And others, whose lands and goods their creditors might seize when their persons were with David. It must be observed that the Jews frequently used their debtors with great severity, (see Nehemiah 5:5,) taking... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:1-23

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 22:2

one = man. Hebrew. 'ish. . App-14 . discontented = bitter of soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Compare Judges 18:25 , "angry": i.e. embittered. captain = chief, leader, or prince. men. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . read more

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