Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. New Living Translation So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. English Standard Version David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. Berean Standard Bible So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. Berean Literal Bible And David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And his brothers heard it, and all the house of his father, and they went down to him there. King James Bible 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. New King James Version David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. New American Standard Bible So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard about it, they went down there to him. NASB 1995 So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him. NASB 1977 So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him. Legacy Standard Bible So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it and went down there to him. Amplified Bible So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s house heard about it, they went down there to him. Berean Annotated Bible So David (beloved) left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam (justice of the people). When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. Christian Standard Bible So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. Holman Christian Standard Bible So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. American Standard Version David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. Contemporary English Version When David escaped from the town of Gath, he went to Adullam Cave. His brothers and the rest of his family found out where he was, and they followed him there. English Revised Version David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. GOD'S WORD® Translation So David escaped from that place and fled to the cave at Adullam. When his brothers and all [the rest] of his family heard about it, they went to him. Good News Translation David fled from the city of Gath and went to a cave near the town of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of the family heard that he was there, they joined him. International Standard Version David left from there and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. His brothers and all his father's family heard about this and went down to him there. NET Bible So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father's family learned about it, they went down there to him. New Heart English Bible David therefore departed there, and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. World English Bible David therefore departed from there and escaped to Adullam’s cave. When his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David goes from there, and escapes to the cave of Adullam, and his brothers hear, and all the house of his father, and they go down to him there; Berean Literal Bible And David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And his brothers heard it, and all the house of his father, and they went down to him there. Young's Literal Translation And David goeth thence, and is escaped unto the cave of Adullam, and his brethren hear, and all the house of his father, and go down unto him thither; Smith's Literal Translation And David will go from thence and he will escape to the cave Adullam: and his brethren and all the house of his father will hear, and they will go down to him there. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleDavid therefore went from thence and fled to the cave of Odollam. And when his brethren, and all his father's house had heard of it, they went down to him thither; Catholic Public Domain Version Then David went away from there, and he fled to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all of his father’s house had heard of it, they descended to him there. New American Bible David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his family heard about it, they came down to him there. New Revised Standard Version David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; when his brothers and all his father’s house heard of it, they went down there to him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleDAVID therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Arlam; and when his brothers and all his father's household heard it, they went down there to him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David went on from there and he escaped to the cave of Arlam, and his brothers heard and all the household of his father, and they went down to him there OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. Brenton Septuagint Translation And David departed thence, and escaped; and he comes to the cave of Odollam, and his brethren hear, and the house of his father, and they go down to him there. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Flees to Adullam and Mizpeh1So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.… Cross References So David left Gath 1 Samuel 21:13-15 So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard. / Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you can see that the man is insane! Why have you brought him to me? / Am I in need of madmen, that you have brought this man to rave in my presence? Must this man come into my house?” 1 Samuel 29:11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel. 1 Samuel 27:2 So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. 2 Samuel 23:13-17 At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. / At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem. / David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” … 1 Chronicles 11:15-19 Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. / At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem. / David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” … 1 Samuel 24:3-7 Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave. / So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. … When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, 1 Samuel 17:12-15 Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons. And in the days of Saul, Jesse was old and well along in years. / The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. / And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, … 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” / “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ / Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.” … 1 Chronicles 2:13-17 Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third, / Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth, / Ozem sixth, and David seventh. … they went down to him there. 1 Chronicles 12:16-18 Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. / And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.” / Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops. 1 Samuel 23:15-18 While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. / And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” … 1 Chronicles 12:1-2 Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): Psalm 57:1-11 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed. / I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. / He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth. … Psalm 142:1-7 A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy. / I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him. / Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me. … Matthew 4:24-25 News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them. / Large crowds followed Him, having come from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. Hebrews 11:38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground. Treasury of Scripture David therefore departed there, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. David 1 Samuel 21:10-15 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath… Psalm 34:1 A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. the cave Joshua 12:15 The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; Joshua 15:35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, 2 Samuel 23:13,14 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim… Jump to Previous Adullam Cave Cover David Departed Escaped Hear Heard Hearing House Household Strong Thence ThitherJump to Next Adullam Cave Cover David Departed Escaped Hear Heard Hearing House Household Strong Thence Thither1 Samuel 22 1. Companies resort unto David at Adullam3. At Mizpeh he commends his parents unto the king of Moab 5. Admonished by Gad, he comes to Hareth, 6. Saul going to pursue him, complains of his servants' unfaithfulness 9. Doeg accuses Ahimelech 11. Saul commands to kill the priests 17. The footmen refusing, Doeg executes it 20. Abiathar escaping, brings David the news So David left Gath David's departure from Gath marks a significant moment in his life as he flees from King Saul's pursuit. Gath was one of the five Philistine cities, and David had previously sought refuge there, pretending to be insane to avoid suspicion (1 Samuel 21:10-15). This highlights David's precarious situation, caught between his own people and their enemies. His departure signifies a turning point, moving from a place of potential danger to a place of solitude and reflection. and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed future king of Israel, currently fleeing from King Saul. David is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating leadership and faith in God despite his circumstances. 2. Gath A Philistine city where David had previously sought refuge. His departure from Gath signifies a turning point in his journey, as he seeks safety and solitude. 3. Cave of Adullam A stronghold and place of refuge for David. The cave symbolizes a place of retreat and regrouping, where David gathers his followers. 4. David’s Brothers and Father’s Household They join David at the cave, indicating family loyalty and support during his time of need. 5. Escape David's escape from Gath to Adullam highlights his strategic and divinely guided movements to avoid Saul's pursuit. Teaching Points Seeking Refuge in GodJust as David sought refuge in the cave, believers are encouraged to find their refuge in God during times of trouble. Family Support in Trials The presence of David’s family highlights the importance of familial support and unity in difficult times. Leadership in Adversity David’s ability to lead and inspire others even while in hiding demonstrates the qualities of a godly leader. God’s Guidance in Uncertainty David’s escape from Gath to Adullam shows reliance on God’s guidance, reminding believers to seek divine direction in uncertain times. Preparation for Future Roles David’s time in the cave can be seen as preparation for his future role as king, teaching that God often uses trials to prepare us for His purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 22:1?2. How does David's refuge in Adullam reflect God's provision in difficult times? 3. What can we learn from David's leadership in 1 Samuel 22:1? 4. How does David's experience connect to Jesus' time in the wilderness? 5. How can we seek God's guidance when feeling isolated or in distress? 6. What steps can we take to support others in their times of need? 7. Why did David flee to the cave of Adullam in 1 Samuel 22:1? 8. How does 1 Samuel 22:1 reflect on David's leadership qualities? 9. What historical evidence supports the existence of the cave of Adullam? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 22? 11. Psalm 142:4 shows David claiming no one cares for him—how does this reconcile with 1 Samuel 22:2, where he has loyal followers? 12. What is the significance of the Cave of Adullam? 13. What archaeological or historical evidence supports the existence of David’s 600-man force (1 Samuel 23:13) during a time of limited resources and political instability? 14. Psalm 142:1 labels this a prayer of David in a cave—where is the historical or archaeological evidence supporting this cave event? What Does 1 Samuel 22:1 Mean So David left Gath“Gath” was one of the five Philistine cities (1 Samuel 5:8). David had just pretended madness before King Achish there (1 Samuel 21:10–15) to escape Saul’s reach. His exit shows: • God’s protection in enemy territory, recalling Psalm 34’s superscription “when he pretended madness before Abimelech.” • A decisive break with compromising alliances; later, David again seeks Achish’s shelter but with fuller trust in God’s timing (1 Samuel 27:1–2). • The pattern of the Lord steering His anointed through danger, just as He would later guide Elijah out of Jezebel’s grasp (1 Kings 19:3). and took refuge in the cave of Adullam “Refuge” underscores David’s shift from human schemes to God-provided shelter (Psalm 57:1; 142:5, both cave psalms). Adullam lay in Judah’s lowlands (Joshua 15:35), roughly halfway between Gath and Bethlehem, giving David: • Proximity to his tribe for supplies and information. • Natural fortification; Samson once hid in the same region (Judges 15:8, 11). • A training ground where God forged a leader out of a fugitive, prefiguring Christ’s wilderness testing (Matthew 4:1). When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it David’s family, earlier skeptical (1 Samuel 17:28), now recognizes Saul’s threat (1 Samuel 20:1, 32). Their movement shows: • God’s covenant care extending to the anointed’s household, anticipating 2 Samuel 7:15. • Fulfillment of Samuel’s anointing in 1 Samuel 16:13—David’s call affects his kin. • A contrast with Saul, whose own family will later be scattered (1 Samuel 31:1–6). they went down to him there Descending into the cave pictures humble alignment with God’s chosen. Soon “everyone who was in distress” joins as well (1 Samuel 22:2), foreshadowing David’s future kingdom and Christ gathering the weary (Matthew 11:28). Here we see: • Family solidarity that later allows David to entrust his parents to Moab for safety (1 Samuel 22:3–4). • God building a community around His servant, much like He assembled the remnant around Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:17–18). • The principle that refuge under God draws others, transforming a hiding place into a headquarters for divine purpose. summary 1 Samuel 22:1 records more than a change of address; it marks David’s deliberate retreat from human solutions into God’s providential shelter. Leaving Philistine Gath, he takes cover in Adullam’s cave, where family loyalty deepens and the nucleus of his future leadership forms. The verse highlights God’s faithfulness to protect His anointed, to provide sanctuary, and to gather a people who will share in His unfolding plan. (1) The cave Adullam.--The great valley of Elah forms the highway from Philistia to Hebron. In one especially of the tributary vales or ravines of the Elah valley are many natural caves, some of great extent, roomy and dry, which are still used by the shepherds as dwelling-places, and as refuges for their flocks and herds. David chose one of these natural fastnesses as the temporary home for himself and his followers. The traveller sees that there was ample room for the 400 refugees who gathered under David's skilled leadership. Stanley even speaks of this Adullam Cavern as "a subterranean palace, with vast columnar halls and arched chambers."The name Adullam was probably given to the largest of these great caverns from its proximity to the old royal Canaanitish city of Adullam (Joshua 15:35), ruins of which on a rounded hill to the south of the cave are still visible. His brethren and all his father's house.--They of course soon felt the weight of Saul's anger against the prominent hero of their race, and dreading the fate which often overwhelms whole families for the faults of one of the more distinguished members, fled from their homes, and joined David and his armed force of outlaws. Verse 1. - The cave Adullam. According to Josephus this was situated near a city of the same name ('Ant.,' 6:12, 3), which formed one of a group of fifteen in the Shephelah (see on 1 Samuel 17:1), and its site has now been recovered by Mr. Conder (see 'Tent Work,' 2:156-160). "The great valley," he says, "of Elah, which forms the highway from Philistia to Hebron, runs down northwards past Keilah and Hareth, dividing the low hills of the Shephelah from the rocky mountains of Judah. Eight miles from the valley head stands Shochoh,... and two and a half miles south of this is a very large and ancient terebinth." This stands on "the west side of the vale, just where a small tributary ravine joins the main valley; and on the south of this ravine is a high rounded hill, almost isolated by valleys, and covered with ruins, a natural fortress," the site of the city Adullam. David's cave, he considers, would not be one of the larger caverns, as these are seldom used for habitations; but "the sides of the tributary valley are lined with rows of caves, and these we found inhabited, and full of flocks and herds; but still more interesting was the discovery of a separate cave on the hill itself, a low, smoke-blackened burrow, which was the home of a single family. We could not but suppose, as we entered this gloomy abode, that our feet were standing in the very footprints of the shepherd king, who here, encamped between the Philistines and the Jews, covered the line of advance on the cornfields of Keilah, and was but three miles distant from the thickets of Hareth." After describing the fine view from this hill, which is about 500 feet high, he adds, "There is ample room to have accommodated David's 400 men in the caves, and they are, as we have seen, still inhabited." Thus then David's cave was one of many in the Terebinth valley and the ravine opening into it, and was not far from Gath, though over the border. Here his brethren and all his father's house joined him through fear of Saul. Among these would be Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, his cousins; and we learn how great was the love and enthusiasm which David was able to inspire among them from the feat of the three heroes, of whom Abishai was one, who, while he was in the cave of Adullam, and a garrison of the Philistines at Bethlehem, broke through them to bring David water from the well there (2 Samuel 23:13-17). As Bethlehem was thus held by the Philistines, there was double reason for the flight of Jesse's family; and it is a proof how thoroughly Saul's government had broken down that, while Samuel could maintain a son at Beersheba as judge (1 Samuel 8:24 Saul was unable to defend places so much more distant from the Philistine border.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So Davidדָּוִד֙ (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse left וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk [Gath] מִשָּׁ֔ם (miš·šām) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither and took refuge וַיִּמָּלֵ֖ט (way·yim·mā·lêṭ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks in אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the cave מְעָרַ֣ת (mə·‘ā·raṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 4631: A cavern of Adullam. עֲדֻלָּ֑ם (‘ă·ḏul·lām) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5725: Adullam -- a Canaanite city When his brothers אֶחָיו֙ (’e·ḥāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) and the rest of וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every his father's אָבִ֔יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father household בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house heard about it, וַיִּשְׁמְע֤וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently they went down וַיֵּרְד֥וּ (way·yê·rə·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend to him אֵלָ֖יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to there. שָֽׁמָּה׃ (šām·māh) Adverb | third person feminine singular Strong's 8033: There, then, thither Links 1 Samuel 22:1 NIV1 Samuel 22:1 NLT 1 Samuel 22:1 ESV 1 Samuel 22:1 NASB 1 Samuel 22:1 KJV 1 Samuel 22:1 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 22:1 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 22:1 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 22:1 French Bible 1 Samuel 22:1 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 22:1 David therefore departed there and escaped (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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