1 Samuel 22:6-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:6-19

We have seen the progress of David's troubles; now here we have the progress of Saul's wickedness. He seems to have laid aside the thoughts of all other business and to have devoted himself wholly to the pursuit of David. He heard at length, by the common fame of the country, that David was discovered (that is, that he appeared publicly and enlisted men into his service); and hereupon he called all his servants about him, and sat down under a tree, or grove, in the high place at Gibeah, with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:6

When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him ,.... That it was known where David was, and what number of men were gathered to him, and that they now openly appeared in the tribe of Judah; for some time Saul had heard nothing of him, but now a report had reached his ears that David was in arms, and at the head of a number of men; which now greatly alarmed Saul, and possessed him with fears and jealousies of his people, and all about him: now Saul abode in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:7

Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him ,.... He took this opportunity of addressing them in the following manner, upon the report of David being at the head of a certain number of men: hear now, ye Benjamites ; for Saul being of the tribe of Benjamin, his courtiers and his bodyguards chiefly, if not altogether, consisted of persons of that tribe; and therefore as they were under obligation to him, and ought to abide by him, and adhere closely to him, so it was the more... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:8

That all of you have conspired against me ,.... For though they had not revolted from him, and been guilty of overt acts of treason, yet since they did not discover to him what he supposed they knew, and showed no concern for the circumstances in which he was, he interpreted this a conspiracy against him: and there is none that showeth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse ; Saul did not know this certainly, he only suspected it from the strict and close friendship... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:9

Then answered Doeg the Edomite ,.... Josephus F4 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 12. sect. 1, 4. calls him a Syrian, and so the Septuagint version; see 1 Samuel 21:7 ; being full of enmity to David, and willing to curry favour with Saul, and eager of further preferment, which Saul seemed to promise; and being more forward than the rest of his servants, prevented them and spoke first: (which was set over the servants of Saul) : over his herdsmen; see 1 Samuel 21:7 , and said, I saw the son... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:10

And he inquired of the Lord for him ,.... Which not being expressed before, some have taken it to be a lie of Doeg's, he being charged with lying by David, Psalm 52:3 ; but it is not at all improbable that David should desire him to inquire of the Lord for him, and that he did; and he seems to acknowledge it, 1 Samuel 22:15 ; but according to the Jewish writers Doeg meant by this to prove a charge of treason both against David and Ahimelech; that the former made himself king, and the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 ; (note)), was at hand, that is stuck in the ground where he rested, which was the mark to the soldiers that there was their general's tent. And all his servants were standing about him - That is, they were encamped around... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 having ever been made between David and Jonathan. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

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