1 Samuel 22:1

David at Adullam and Mizpah

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

1 Samuel 22:1 in Other Translations

KJV
1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
ESV
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.
NLT
1 So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.
MSG
1 So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him.
CSB
1 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David's brothers and his father's whole family heard, they went down and joined him there.

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 left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.
2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.
3 From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?”
4 So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.
5 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.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 2 Samuel 23:13; Psalms 57 Title; Psalms 142 Title
  • 2. S Genesis 38:1
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