1 Samuel 22:1

David Flees to Adullam and Mizpeh

1 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. ¹

1 Samuel 22:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 22:1

David therefore departed from thence
From Gath, being driven by Achish from his court, and let go by his servants, and glad he was of the deliverance:

and escaped to the cave Adullam;
which was no doubt near to a city of the same name in the tribe of Judah, of which (See Gill on Joshua 15:35); this being a strong place, and in his own tribe, he might hope to be in greater safety; here he penned his hundred forty second psalm, see ( Psalms 142:1-7 ) :

and when his brethren and all his father's house heard [it];
that he was come thither:

they went down thither to him;
to visit and comfort him, counsel and assist him all they could; and chiefly to secure themselves from the rage and malice of Saul, who they might fear would fall upon them, and avenge himself on them for David's sake.

1 Samuel 22:1 In-Context

1 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.

2 And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

3 From 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 learn what God will do for me.”

4 So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.

5 Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart and go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

Cross References

• 1. (Psalms 57:1–11; Psalms 142:1–7)