Summary: David’s family and men heard about him being in distress, and 400 of them joined him (v.2). Saul learns of these men joining with David (v.7) and calls this a conspiracy (v.8). Saul takes his paranoia out on the high priest Ahimelech (v.13). He commands that the priests should be killed for taking sides with David (v.17). The men wouldn’t kill the priests, but Doeg killed 85 of them (v.18). Abiathar escaped to be with David (v.20), and David promised to protect Abiathar (vv.22-23).
Doeg redirects Saul’s rage against Ahimelech.
If David told the truth, then Ahimelech wouldn’t have died.
Ps. 52 explains how David felt.
(22:1) David’s family were likely in mortal danger as well. This is likely why they followed David into hiding.
(22:2) David had a substantial fighting force of 400 men who were loyal to him. These men would’ve risked their life and limb to be on his side.
These men parted from the status quo of following Saul. They must’ve been discontent with Saul’s leadership.
1 Chron. 12:8. David turned them into this.
(22:3-4) Why would David take his family to Moab of all places? Remember, David’s great-grandmother was Ruth (Ruth 4:13-17), and Ruth was a Moabitess (Ruth 1:4). This could be an undesigned coincidence that shows the historicity of this account.
David was part Moabite, so it’s no wonder that he sends him here.
(22:5) In his psalm during this time, David knew that his ultimate “stronghold” was God himself (Ps. 18:2).
Even though Doeg was an evil man, God used him to fulfill his judgment against the descendants of Levi (1 Sam. 2:31-33; cf. 1 Kings 2:26-27).
(22:6) The mention of Saul have his “spear in hand” is foreshadowing for what he would do based on how he had already done with that spear (1 Sam. 18:10-11; 19:9-10; 20:33).
(22:7) Saul is openly challenging David’s authority and what David can provide for them. Can David make you rich? Can he make you powerful?
(22:8) Saul’s paranoia has increased (“all of you have conspired against me”). In reality, Jonathan had made this covenant in secret, and Saul’s men wouldn’t have known this.
He has the narrative completely reversed.
(22:9-10) Doeg tells Saul that Ahimelech had given David a sword, food, and inquired to God for him. Under this state of affairs, this was interpreted as high treason to Saul’s dynasty. Psalm 52 lines up with this historical narrative.
Uh-hite-ub.
(22:11) Nob was only two miles from Gibeah,[] and the priests come to see Saul.
(22:12) Ahimelech is obedient to Saul.
(22:13) Saul repeats Doeg’s accusations against Ahimelech (vv.9-10). Saul is more willing to trust a foreign Edomite (Doeg) than God’s priests.
(22:14-15) Ahimelech states that he was ignorant of the fact that David was a villain. As far as he knew, David was a trustworthy servant of Saul and in good standing with him.
(22:16) Saul doesn’t want to listen. He raises the death sentence against Ahimelech and his whole household.
(22:17) Saul’s men side with Ahimilech (and David), not being willing to kill the priests unjustly. Similarly, David was not willing to “stretch out his hand” against Saul in the days to come (1 Sam. 24:10). David even killed the Amalekite who claimed to kill Saul (2 Sam. 1:14).
(22:18-19) Doeg doesn’t just kill the priests. He is so bloodthirsty that he massacres the entire village.
(22:20-21) Abiathar escapes! He runs to tell David what had happened.
(22:22) David takes personal responsibility for what happened. This is really going over the top, because Doeg was the murderer—not David. Regardless, David promises to do whatever he can to make things right. Abiathar continues to serve David for the rest of his life.
(22:23) Youngblood comments, “King-elect and priest-elect have joined forces as fellow fugitives.”[] Saul wants to take his life, but David wants to give his life.
David had tremendous hardship and suffering, but these were times where was closest to the Lord.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 735.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 737.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
