22:1 Adullam About halfway between Gath and Bethlehem (Gen 38:1; Josh 12:15; Neh 11:30).

his brothers They probably join their warrior relative because they are also in danger from Saul.

22:2 Every man in distress Those oppressed or unhappy with Saul’s regime. As a result, he amasses a standing army that supports him as king.

22:4 Moab Located beyond the Jordan, east of the Dead Sea. This area is out of Saul’s jurisdiction.

22:5 Gad the prophet See 2 Sam 24:11–19.

You should not stay If he remained in the stronghold, he would violate the Law by promoting the welfare of the Edomites (see Deut 23:3–6).

to the forest of Hereth A hideout for fugitives.

22:6 spear was in his hand See 1 Sam 18:10 and note.

22:7 Benjaminites Saul appeals to tribal affiliation in an attempt to muster loyalty.

the son of Jesse See 20:27 and note.

22:9 Doeg the Edomite See 21:7 and note.

the son of Jesse In an effort to gain favor with the king, Doeg reports what he perceives as a potential conspiracy against the throne.

22:10 he inquired of Yahweh Doeg portrays Ahimelech as loyal to David.

22:11 Nob See 21:1 and note.

22:12 son of Ahitub Saul addresses his enemies in this manner (see 20:27 and note).

22:13 he might arise against me Saul accuses Ahimelech of aiding and abetting a rival to the throne. There is little concern from Saul whether his conclusions are well founded, which attests to his increasing paranoia.

22:14 as faithful as David Ahimelech begins his defense by pointing out the incontrovertible reality that David has been faithful to Saul and his throne.

22:15 today I began Ahimelech admits to performing his duties as a priest, which included making inquiries for the king and his people.

has not known Ahimelech eventually pleads ignorance.

22:17 kill the priests of Yahweh Saul orders the deaths of a group of Levites—God’s chosen tribe to fulfill the priestly functions. By doing so, he is virtually indistinguishable from the kings of other nations (compare also 28:3–25).

the servants of the king were not willing Unlike their king, these servants still fear God.

22:18 attack the priests Because he is an Edomite, Doeg has no regard for the priests of Israel’s God.

eighty-five men The priests apparently did not resist or fight back. This also fulfills the prophecy against Eli’s house in 2:27–36.

22:19 he put to the sword Ironically, this verse describes the very act Saul failed to accomplish against the Amalekites in ch. 15, and for which he lost the kingdom. However, rather than an anointed Israelite king obliterating a pagan nation, a pagan mercenary obliterates God’s anointed priests.

22:20 Abiathar, escaped This begins the fulfillment of 2:33; see 1 Kgs 2:26.

22:22 I am responsible for the deaths of all David admits culpability for this tragedy, which testifies to his maturity and difference from Saul.