1 Samuel chapter 22
English Standard Version
1David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father 's house heard it, they went down there to him. 2And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
3And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me." 4And he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. 5Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not remain in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.
6Now Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men who were with him. Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him. 7And Saul said to his servants who stood about him, "Hear now, people of Benjamin; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, 8that all of you have conspired against me? No one discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day." 9Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, "I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, 10and he inquired of the Lord for him and gave him provisions and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine."
11Then the king sent to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father 's house, the priests who were at Nob, and all of them came to the king. 12And Saul said, "Hear now, son of Ahitub." And he answered, "Here I am, my lord." 13And Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he has risen against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?" 14Then Ahimelech answered the king, "And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king 's son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honored in your house? 15Is today the first time that I have inquired of God for him? No! Let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father, for your servant has known nothing of all this, much or little." 16And the king said, "You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father 's house." 17And the king said to the guard who stood about him, "Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me." But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to strike the priests of the Lord. 18Then the king said to Doeg, "You turn and strike the priests." And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod. 19And Nob, the city of the priests, he put to the sword; both man and woman, child and infant, ox, donkey and sheep, he put to the sword.
20But one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. 21And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22And David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father 's house. 23Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping."
New International Version
1David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.
3From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?" 4So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.
6Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated, spear in hand, under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side. 7He said to them, "Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today."
9But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub at Nob. 10Ahimelek inquired of the Lord for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine."
14Ahimelek answered the king, "Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? 15Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair."
18The king then ordered Doeg, "You turn and strike down the priests." So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.
20But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David. 21He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22Then David said to Abiathar, "That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. 23Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me."
New American Standard Bible
1So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard about it, they went down there to him. 2Then everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.
3And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, 'Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.' 4Then he left them with the king of Moab; and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. 5But Gad the prophet said to David, 'Do not stay in the stronghold; leave, and go into the land of Judah.' So David left and went into the forest of Hereth.
6Then Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing in front of him. 7Saul said to his servants who were standing in front of him, 'Hear now, you Benjaminites! Will the son of Jesse really give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who informs me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who cares about me or informs me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day.' 9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing in front of the servants of Saul, responded and said, 'I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10And he inquired of the Lord for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.'
11Then the king sent a messenger to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s household, the priests who were in Nob; and all of them came to the king. 12Saul said, 'Listen now, son of Ahitub.' And he replied, 'Here I am, my lord.' 13Saul then said to him, 'Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?'
14Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, 'And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s own son-in-law, who is commander over your bodyguard, and is honored in your house? 15Did I just begin to inquire of God for him today? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything against his servant or against any of the household of my father, because your servant knows nothing at all of this whole affair.' 16But the king said, 'You shall certainly die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s household!' 17And the king said to the guards who were attending him, 'Turn around and put the priests of the Lord to death, because their hand also is with David and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not inform me.' But the servants of the king were unwilling to reach out with their hands to attack the priests of the Lord. 18Then the king said to Doeg, 'You, turn around and attack the priests!' And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19He also struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants; he also struck oxen, donkeys, and sheep with the edge of the sword.
20But one son of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to David. 21Abiathar informed David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22Then David said to Abiathar, 'I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would certainly tell Saul. I myself have turned against every person in your father’s household. 23Stay with me; do not be afraid, even though he who is seeking my life is seeking your life. For you are safe with me.'
Christian Standard Bible
1So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. 2In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
3From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab where he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God will do for me." 4So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.
6Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree at the high place. His spear was in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him. 7Saul said to his servants, "Listen, men of Benjamin: Is Jesse’s son going to give all of you fields and vineyards? Do you think he’ll make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8That’s why all of you have conspired against me! Nobody tells me when my own son makes a covenant with Jesse’s son. None of you cares about me or tells me that my son has stirred up my own servant to wait in ambush for me, as is the case today."
9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul’s servants, answered: "I saw Jesse’s son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. 10Ahimelech inquired of the Lord for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine."
14Ahimelech replied to the king: "Who among all your servants is as faithful as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and honored in your house. 15Was today the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Please don’t let the king make an accusation against your servant or any of my father’s family, for your servant didn’t have any idea about all this."
18So the king said to Doeg, "Go and execute the priests!" So Doeg the Edomite went and executed the priests himself. On that day, he killed eighty-five men who wore linen ephods. 19He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword—both men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
20However, one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David. 21Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day and that he was sure to report to Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s family. 23Stay with me. Don’t be afraid, for the one who wants to take my life wants to take your life. You will be safe with me."
New Living Translation
1So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. 2Then others began coming — men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented — until David was the captain of about 400 men.
3Later David went to Mizpeh in Moab, where he asked the king, 'Please allow my father and mother to live here with you until I know what God is going to do for me.' 4So David’s parents stayed in Moab with the king during the entire time David was living in his stronghold.
7Listen here, you men of Benjamin!' Saul shouted to his officers when he heard the news. 'Has that son of Jesse promised every one of you fields and vineyards? Has he promised to make you all generals and captains in his army? 8Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you told me when my own son made a solemn pact with the son of Jesse. You’re not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son — encouraging him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day!'
9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing there with Saul’s men, spoke up. 'When I was at Nob,' he said, 'I saw the son of Jesse talking to the priest, Ahimelech son of Ahitub. 10Ahimelech consulted the Lord for him. Then he gave him food and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.'
14But sir,' Ahimelech replied, 'is anyone among all your servants as faithful as David, your son-in-law? Why, he is the captain of your bodyguard and a highly honored member of your household! 15This was certainly not the first time I had consulted God for him! May the king not accuse me and my family in this matter, for I knew nothing at all of any plot against you.'
16You will surely die, Ahimelech, along with your entire family!' the king shouted. 17And he ordered his bodyguards, 'Kill these priests of the Lord, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, but they didn’t tell me!' But Saul’s men refused to kill the Lord’s priests.
18Then the king said to Doeg, 'You do it.' So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments. 19Then he went to Nob, the town of the priests, and killed the priests’ families — men and women, children and babies — and all the cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats.
20Only Abiathar, one of the sons of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to David. 21When he told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord, 22David exclaimed, 'I knew it! When I saw Doeg the Edomite there that day, I knew he was sure to tell Saul. Now I have caused the death of all your father’s family. 23Stay here with me, and don’t be afraid. I will protect you with my own life, for the same person wants to kill us both.'
King James Version
1David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
3And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. 4And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. 5And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth. 6When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) 7Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; 8That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
9Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10And he enquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
11Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king. 12And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. 13And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
14Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? 15Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
16And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. 17And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord.
18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 19And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
20And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. 21And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the Lord'S priests. 22And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house. 23Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
New King James Version
1David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.
3Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 4So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.
6When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered—now Saul was staying in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him— 7then Saul said to his servants who stood about him, “Hear now, you Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds? 8All of you have conspired against me, and there is no one who reveals to me that my son has made a covenant with the son of Jesse; and there is not one of you who is sorry for me or reveals to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day.”
9Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, and said, “I saw the son of Jesse going to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10And he inquired of the Lord for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
14So Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, who goes at your bidding, and is honorable in your house? 15Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king impute anything to his servant, or to any in the house of my father. For your servant knew nothing of all this, little or much.”
16And the king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!” 17Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.” But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. 18And the king said to Doeg, “You turn and kill the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod. 19Also Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep—with the edge of the sword.
20Now one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. 21And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the Lord’s priests. 22So David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father’s house. 23Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.”
What does 1 Samuel chapter 22 mean?
After confirming with Jonathan that Saul wanted to kill him, David fled. He tricked the priest Ahimelech into giving him provisions. David then made a short, tense visit to the Philistine city of Gath (1 Samuel 20:35—21:15).David now hides in the cave of Adullam. He's soon joined by his brothers and all his father's household from Bethlehem. They, too, have become King Saul's targets. Four hundred men, distressed, discontent, and indebted, arrive. David suddenly has an army (1 Samuel 22:1–2).
David travels to Moab to a town called Mizpeh. There, he asks the king of Moab to allow David's elderly parents to stay there until it's safe for them to return home. There may have been family connections there already. Jesse's grandmother, David's great-grandmother, was Ruth, the Moabitess (Ruth 4:17). David finds a new stronghold, but the prophet Gad tells him the Lord wishes for David to return to Judah. David and his followers settle into the forest of Hereth (1 Samuel 22:3–5).
Meanwhile, Saul still rages. He insists his servants should reveal all they know. They won't receive any reward from David for their silence. He whines that no one supports him, and that they wouldn't even tell him when his son Jonathan betrayed him. In these ways, Saul displays traits associated with paranoid dictators (1 Samuel 22:6–8).
Doeg the Edomite (1 Samuel 21:7) tells Saul what he saw at the tabernacle in Nob. There, Ahimelech the priest prayed for David and gave him food and the sword of Goliath (1 Samuel 21:1–9). Saul summons Ahimelech and all the other priests at Nob. The king accuses Ahimelech of joining David's conspiracy to rebel against Saul. Ahimelech is caught completely off guard. David had told him that he was on a secret mission from the king and in need of supplies (1 Samuel 21:2). Ahimelech reminds Saul of David's faithfulness and asks the king to find him and his extended family not guilty of the false accusations (1 Samuel 22:9–15).
Saul refuses to consider the priest's plea and sentences Ahimelech and his father's household to death. This is clearly unreasonable, especially as it is aimed at Israel's priests. The king's guard refuses to follow through on this command. Saul commands Doeg the Edomite to kill them. Doeg strikes down eighty-five priests and then slaughters the priestly town of Nod, killing every man, woman, child, and animal (1 Samuel 22:16–19).
One priest escapes and flees to David. This is Ahimelech's son, Abiathar. David admits he knew that he saw Doeg at the tabernacle, and that the Edomite would report to Saul. David takes responsibility for the deaths of Abiathar's family—or, at least, he realizes that his actions led directly to the carnage. David tells the priest to stay with him under his protection (1 Samuel 22:20–23).
David had an army; now he has a priest who can tell him God's will. He begins his career as a loyal mercenary by defending the city of Keileh from attacking Philistines. Next, David's army faces Saul's for the first of four times. All four times, the two armies part without engaging in battle (1 Samuel 23).
