1 Samuel 22

King James Version

Full text for 1 Samuel Chapter 22

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.

2And every one [that was] in distress, and every one that [was] in debt, and every one [that was] discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

3And David went thence to Mizpeh 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.

4And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.

5And the prophet Gad 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.

6¶ When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that [were] with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants [were] standing about him;)

7Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, [and] make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

8That all of you have conspired against me, and [there is] none that sheweth 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?

9Then answered Doeg 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.

10And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

11Then the king sent 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.

12And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I [am], my lord.

13And Saul said unto him, Why 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?

14Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And 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?

15Did 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, less or more.

16And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.

17And the king said unto the footmen 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.

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

19And Nob, 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.

20¶ And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

21And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.

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

23Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou [shalt be] in safeguard.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

David, fleeing Saul, gathers a company of 400 distressed men at the cave of Adullam and secures his parents in Moab. Saul, increasingly paranoid, learns of David's group and, prompted by Doeg's report, accuses Ahimelech the priest of aiding David. Despite Ahimelech's defense, Saul commands Doeg to massacre 85 priests and destroy the city of Nob. Abiathar, a surviving priest, flees to David, who expresses remorse and vows to protect him.

Medium Summary

Chapter 22 of 1 Samuel details David's continued flight from King Saul, beginning with his escape to the cave of Adullam. There, his family joins him, along with approximately 400 men who were in distress, debt, or discontent, forming a nascent company under David's leadership. David then ensures the safety of his parents by placing them under the protection of the king of Moab. Meanwhile, King Saul, consumed by paranoia, learns of David's whereabouts and his growing company. Doeg the Edomite informs Saul that Ahimelech the priest had provided aid to David at Nob, including food, Goliath's sword, and inquiry of the Lord. Enraged, Saul summons Ahimelech and his priestly family, accusing them of conspiracy. Despite Ahimelech's earnest defense of his innocence and David's loyalty, Saul orders the slaughter of the priests. When Saul's own servants refuse, Doeg carries out the command, slaying 85 priests and utterly destroying the city of Nob. Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech, escapes the massacre and flees to David, who takes responsibility for the tragedy and promises Abiathar protection.

Long Summary

1 Samuel chapter 22 recounts David's ongoing flight from King Saul and the tragic consequences of Saul's increasing paranoia. David first seeks refuge in the cave of Adullam, where his family joins him. Significantly, a diverse group of about 400 men—those in distress, debt, or discontent—also gather to David, recognizing him as their leader. Seeking further security, David then moves to Mizpeh of Moab, entrusting his parents to the care of the Moabite king. The prophet Gad subsequently advises David to leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah, leading David to the forest of Hareth. Meanwhile, King Saul, holding court in Gibeah, learns of David's growing company and becomes deeply suspicious. He bitterly accuses his own servants of conspiring against him and failing to inform him of Jonathan's supposed league with David. Doeg the Edomite, an overseer of Saul's servants, then volunteers information, reporting that he witnessed Ahimelech the priest assisting David at Nob by providing provisions, Goliath's sword, and inquiring of the LORD on his behalf. Incensed by this report, Saul summons Ahimelech and all the priests of Nob, accusing them of treason for aiding David. Ahimelech staunchly defends himself, asserting David's faithfulness as the king's son-in-law and obedient servant, and denying any knowledge of David's flight or malicious intent. Despite Ahimelech's plea of innocence, Saul condemns him and his entire priestly house to death. When Saul's own footmen refuse to lay hands on the LORD's priests, Saul commands Doeg to execute the order. Doeg the Edomite then slays 85 priests who wore linen ephods and proceeds to utterly destroy the city of Nob, sparing no one—men, women, children, or livestock. However, Abiathar, one of Ahimelech's sons, manages to escape the massacre and flees to David. Abiathar informs David of the horrific slaughter of the priests by Saul. David expresses profound guilt, acknowledging that his presence at Nob likely led to the tragedy, and promises Abiathar protection, recognizing that Saul seeks both their lives.

Core Concepts

  • David's GatheringDavid, as a fugitive, becomes a leader for approximately 400 men who are distressed, in debt, or discontented, forming the nucleus of his future company.
  • Saul's ParanoiaKing Saul's deep-seated suspicion and fear of David lead him to accuse his own loyal servants of conspiracy and disloyalty, indicating his deteriorating mental state.
  • Doeg's BetrayalDoeg the Edomite, an overseer of Saul's servants, provides information about Ahimelech's assistance to David, directly leading to the priest's condemnation and the subsequent massacre.
  • The Massacre at NobSaul, in a fit of rage and paranoia, orders the slaughter of 85 priests and the complete destruction of the city of Nob, including all its inhabitants and livestock, for perceived aid to David.
  • Priestly InnocenceAhimelech the priest defends his actions, asserting his ignorance of David's fugitive status and his continued belief in David's loyalty to the king, highlighting the injustice of his condemnation.
  • Abiathar's EscapeAbiathar, a son of Ahimelech, is the sole survivor of the priestly massacre at Nob, fleeing to David and becoming a key figure in David's company and a future high priest.
  • David's Guilt and ProtectionDavid expresses deep remorse for inadvertently causing the massacre of the priests and pledges to protect Abiathar, recognizing their shared danger from Saul and offering him refuge.