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1 Samuel 22

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 22 of 31

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

2 And every man in distress, and every man who had a creditor, and every man bitter of soul, gathered themselves to him. And he became commander over them. And about four hundred men were with him.

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 come and be with you, until I know what God will do to me.

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Chapter Summary

Companies go to David at Adullam. Admonished by Jehovah, he comes to Hareth. Saul complains of his servants' unfaithfulness. Saul commands to kill the priests.

Key Hebrew Words

כֹּהֵן priest H3548 · TWOT 959a
חֶ֫רֶב sword H2719 · TWOT 732a
מְצוּדָה stronghold H4686 · TWOT 1885i
נָבִיא prophet H5030 · TWOT 1277a
מְעָרָה cave H4631 · TWOT 1704a
אָמַן faithful H539 · TWOT 116

People & Context

David

Fugitive who gathers a band at the cave of Adullam and learns of the priests' slaughter

Saul

The king who accuses his servants of conspiracy and orders the death of the priests of Jehovah

Doeg the Edomite

Saul's chief shepherd who informs on Ahimelech and slays eighty-five priests at the king's command

Ahimelech

Priest of Nob, son of Ahitub, condemned to death by Saul for aiding David

Abiathar

Ahimelech's son who alone escapes the massacre and flees to David

Gad

The prophet who tells David to leave the stronghold and go into the land of Judah

Timeline

David Gathers a Band at Adullam

David escapes to the cave of Adullam. His family joins him, along with 400 distressed, indebted, and bitter men, and he becomes their commander.

1 Samuel 22:1-2
David Secures His Parents in Moab

David goes to Mizpeh of Moab and leaves his father and mother under the protection of the king of Moab while he remains in the stronghold.

1 Samuel 22:3-4
Gad Prophesies to David

The prophet Gad warns David not to stay in the stronghold but to return to the land of Judah. David goes to the forest of Hareth.

1 Samuel 22:5

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