1 Samuel — Chapter 22

📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 22 (KJV)

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Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

1 Samuel 22:1 ^RDavid 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.

1 Samuel 22:2 And every one that was in ^Rdistress, and every one that ^Twas in debt, and every one that was ^Tdiscontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

1 Samuel 22:3 And David went thence to ^RMizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.

1 Samuel 22:4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was ^Rin the hold.

1 Samuel 22:5 And the prophet ^RGad 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.

1 Samuel 22:6 When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a ^Ttree in Ramah, having his ^Rspear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

1 Samuel 22:7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will ^Rthe son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

1 Samuel 22:8 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that ^RTsheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

1 Samuel 22:9 Then answered ^RDoeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

1 Samuel 22:10 And ^Rhe enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

1 Samuel 22:11 Then the king ^Rsent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.

1 Samuel 22:12 And Saul said, Hear now, ^Rthou son of Ahitub. And he answered, ^THere I am, my lord.

1 Samuel 22:13 And Saul said unto him, ^RWhy have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

1 Samuel 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, ^RAnd who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

1 Samuel 22:15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, ^RTless or more.

1 Samuel 22:16 And the king said, ^RThou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.

1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the ^RTfootmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

1 Samuel 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and ^Rhe fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 22:19 And ^RNob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

1 Samuel 22:20 And ^Rone of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

1 Samuel 22:21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.

1 Samuel 22:22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: ^RI have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.

1 Samuel 22:23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for ^Rhe that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 22:1–5 — Refuge, followers, and family care

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

David's family and distressed people gather at Adullam. He arranges protection for his parents in Moab while awaiting God's direction. Gad then tells him to enter Judah. The fugitive's responsibilities now include followers and family, not only his own escape.

Key Truth: David's growing company brings continuing responsibilities amid uncertainty.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 22:6–15 — Saul's accusations and Ahimelech's defense

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Saul treats David's relationships as a conspiracy. Doeg reports the visit to Nob, and Ahimelech is summoned. The priest defends David's known faithful service and says he knew nothing of the alleged plot. Saul's accusation must not be confused with the narrator's account.

Key Truth: Suspicion distorts Saul's interpretation of ordinary loyalty and help.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 22:16–23 — The priests are killed and Abiathar escapes

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Saul's servants refuse to kill the priests, but Doeg carries out the order and devastates Nob. Abiathar escapes to David, who acknowledges his part in the tragedy and offers protection. The refusal of the servants shows that royal authority does not justify an evil command.

Key Truth: The account exposes murderous misuse of authority and the cost borne by innocent people.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

1 Samuel 21:7 — Doeg's presence at Nob explains his ability to report the visit.

1 Samuel 21:7 (KJV) Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

Why is it important to distinguish Saul's conspiracy accusation from Ahimelech's knowledge and actions?

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