◄ 1 Samuel 22:3 ►
From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me."
Study Bible
From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab
This phrase indicates a geographical and strategic movement by David. "Mizpeh" means "watchtower" in Hebrew, suggesting a place of observation or refuge. Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, was historically linked to Israel through Ruth, David's great-grandmother, who was a Moabitess. This connection may have influenced David's decision to seek refuge there. Theologically, this movement signifies David's reliance on God’s guidance, as he navigates through hostile territories while evading King Saul.

and said to the king of Moab
David's approach to the king of Moab reflects diplomatic tact and humility. The Moabites, though often adversaries of Israel, are approached here as potential allies. This interaction underscores the complexity of David's situation, where he must balance familial ties, political alliances, and divine direction. Historically, this reflects the intricate relationships between neighboring nations in the ancient Near East.

'Please let my father and mother stay with you
David's request highlights his concern for his family's safety amidst his own perilous circumstances. The Hebrew word for "please" (נָא, na) conveys a sense of earnestness and respect. This plea reveals David's filial piety and responsibility, even as he is pursued by Saul. It also illustrates the vulnerability of David's position, relying on the goodwill of a foreign king for his family's protection.

until I know what God will do for me.'
This phrase encapsulates David's faith and dependence on divine providence. The Hebrew root for "know" (יָדַע, yada) implies an intimate understanding or revelation. David's statement reflects his trust in God's plan, despite the uncertainty of his immediate future. Scripturally, this echoes the theme of waiting on God's timing, a recurring motif in David's life and the broader biblical narrative. David's reliance on God serves as an inspirational model of faith and patience for believers facing their own uncertainties.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The anointed future king of Israel, currently fleeing from King Saul. He is seeking refuge and safety for his family.

2. Mizpeh of Moab
A location in the land of Moab, east of the Dead Sea. It serves as a place of refuge for David's family during his time of distress.

3. King of Moab
The ruler of Moab, a neighboring nation to Israel. David seeks his protection for his parents, indicating a diplomatic relationship.

4. David's Father and Mother
Jesse and his wife, who are vulnerable due to David's conflict with Saul. David's concern for their safety highlights his familial responsibilities.

5. God's Will
David's statement reflects his reliance on divine guidance and his uncertainty about the future.
Teaching Points
Family Responsibility
David's actions demonstrate the importance of caring for and protecting one's family, even in times of personal crisis.

Seeking Refuge
Just as David sought refuge for his family, believers are encouraged to seek spiritual refuge in God during times of trouble.

Trust in God's Plan
David's uncertainty about the future teaches us to trust in God's plan and timing, even when the path is unclear.

Diplomatic Wisdom
David's approach to the king of Moab shows the value of using wisdom and diplomacy in relationships, especially when seeking help.

Heritage and Relationships
The connection to Ruth highlights how God can use our heritage and past relationships to provide for us in unexpected ways.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's concern for his parents reflect biblical principles of honoring one's father and mother? (Consider Exodus 20:12)

2. In what ways can we seek refuge in God during our own times of distress, similar to how David sought refuge for his family?

3. How does David's reliance on God's will challenge us to trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we face uncertainty?

4. What can we learn from David's diplomatic approach to the king of Moab about building and maintaining relationships with others?

5. How does the connection between David and Moab through Ruth illustrate the importance of understanding our spiritual heritage and its impact on our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ruth 1-4
The connection between David and Moab is significant because David's great-grandmother, Ruth, was a Moabitess. This historical link may have influenced the king of Moab's willingness to help David.

Psalm 27:10
David's trust in God to care for him and his family is echoed in his psalms, where he often expresses confidence in God's protection and guidance.

Proverbs 3:5-6
David's reliance on God's will aligns with the wisdom of trusting in the Lord with all one's heart and not leaning on one's own understanding.
Sermons
Filial KindnessB. Dale 1 Samuel 22:3, 4
People
Abiathar, Ahimelech, Ahitub, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Benjamites, David, Doeg, Gad, Goliath, Jesse, Saul
Places
Adullam, Gibeah, Hereth, Mizpeh, Moab, Nob
Topics
Amongst, Clear, David, Forth, Learn, Living-place, Mizpah, Mizpeh, Moab, Please, Stay, Thence, Till
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 22:3

     5061   sanctity of life
     8300   love, and the world
     8471   respect, for human beings

1 Samuel 22:1-5

     5086   David, rise of

1 Samuel 22:3-4

     5731   parents

1 Samuel 22:3-5

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Exile Continued.
"So David fled, and escaped and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done unto him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth" (1 Sam. xix. 18)--or, as the word probably means, in the collection of students' dwellings, inhabited by the sons of the prophets, where possibly there may have been some kind of right of sanctuary. Driven thence by Saul's following him, and having had one last sorrowful hour of Jonathan's companionship--the last but one on earth--he fled to Nob, whither …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Exile --Continued.
We have one psalm which the title connects with the beginning of David's stay at Adullam,--the thirty-fourth. The supposition that it dates from that period throws great force into many parts of it, and gives a unity to what is else apparently fragmentary and disconnected. Unlike those already considered, which were pure soliloquies, this is full of exhortation and counsel, as would naturally be the case if it were written when friends and followers began to gather to his standard. It reads like …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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