1 Samuel 22:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then 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.

NIV: But the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

NASB: But 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.

CSB: Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Don’t stay in the stronghold. Leave and return to the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

NLT: One day the prophet Gad told David, 'Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah.' So David went to the forest of Hereth.

KJV: And 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.

NKJV: Now the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.

First Samuel 22:1–5 describes how David somewhat accidentally raises an army. He had fled from King Saul, leaving his wife and best friend behind. After quick stops to Abimelech the priest and a Philistine city, he finds himself hiding in a cave (1 Samuel 19:11—21:15). Before long, his father's household and 400 disgruntled men have joined him. David is safe, but soon he'll discover the cost of his lie to Abimelech (1 Samuel 22:6–23).

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.