1 Samuel 22:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping."

NIV: Stay 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."

NASB: Stay with me; do not be afraid, even though he who is seeking my life is seeking your life. For you are safe with me.'

CSB: Stay 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."

NLT: Stay 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.'

KJV: Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

NKJV: Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.”

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.

Accessed 8/20/2025 10:33:32 AM