1 Samuel 22:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And 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.

NIV: Then 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.

NASB: Then 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.

CSB: Then 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.

NLT: David 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.

KJV: And 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.

NKJV: So 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.

In 1 Samuel 22:20–23, God turns tragedy into blessing. When David ran from Saul, he had no thought but his own survival. His first stop was to Abimelech the priest who gave him bread and Goliath's sword (1 Samuel 21:1–9). Saul found out and slaughtered Abimelech's entire city (1 Samuel 22:6–19). Abimelech's son Abiathar survives and flees to David. David takes responsibility for the deaths. Abiathar stays on and provides David with God's guidance in his new career as a mercenary (1 Samuel 23:1–14).

In 1 Samuel 22, David hides at the cave of Adullam and is joined by his family and about 400 men. He leaves his parents at Moab and takes refuge in the forest of Hereth. Meanwhile, Saul accuses his servants of siding with David against him. Doeg the Edomite reports that Ahimelech the priest gave David provisions at the tabernacle. Saul summons Ahimelech and accuses him of being part of David's conspiracy. Refusing to listen to Ahimelech's defense, Saul orders him and all the priests, people, and animals of Nob killed. One priest escapes and reports the events to David.

In 1 Samuel 22, David's rift with Saul deepens. David had escaped Saul and tricked the priest Ahimelech into giving him provisions (1 Samuel 21:1–9). After a foolish stop in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15), David hides in the cave of Adullam and accidentally raises an army. Meanwhile, Saul learns of David's interaction with Ahimelech. Enraged, Saul orders the entire city of Nob destroyed. One priest escapes and tells David who takes responsibility. With an army to fight and a priest to provide wisdom, David is ready to start his career as a mercenary (1 Samuel 23).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.