1 Samuel 22:1

David at the Cave of Adullam

1 David departed from there and escaped to ¹the cave of ²Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.

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 David 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.

2 And 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.

3 And 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. ”

4 And he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.

5 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.

Cross References

• 1. 22:1 See Ps. 57; 142
• 2. 22:1 2 Sam. 23:13; 1 Chr. 11:15