22:1 cave of Adullam. Adullam, which may mean “refuge,” has been identified with a site seventeen miles southwest of Jerusalem, midway between Gath and Hebron. See also 2 Sam. 23:13; Josh. 12:15; titles to Ps. 57 and 142.

his father’s house . . . went down there to him. The vehemence that drove Saul to attack even his own family (20:33) left David’s family with little reason to feel secure.