Priests Killed at Nob

22 So David departed from there and (A)escaped to (B)the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard about it, they went down there to him. Then everyone who was in distress, and everyone who [a]was in debt, and everyone who was [b]discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were (C)about four hundred men with him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 22:2 Lit had a creditor
  2. 1 Samuel 22:2 Lit bitter of soul

David at Adullam and Mizpah

22 David left Gath and escaped to the cave(A) of Adullam.(B) When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered(C) around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.

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Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors.

For the music director; set to [a]Al-tashheth. A [b]Mikhtam of David, [c]when he fled from Saul in the cave.

57 Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,
For my soul (A)takes refuge in You;
And in the (B)shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction (C)passes by.
I will cry to God Most High,
To God who (D)accomplishes all things for me.
He will (E)send from heaven and save me;
He rebukes the one who [d](F)tramples upon me. Selah
God will send His [e](G)favor and His truth.

My soul is among (H)lions;
I must lie among those who devour,
Among sons of mankind whose (I)teeth are spears and arrows,
And their (J)tongue is a sharp sword.
(K)Be exalted above the heavens, God;
May Your glory be above all the earth.
They have prepared a (L)net for my steps;
My soul is (M)bowed down;
They (N)dug a pit before me;
They themselves have (O)fallen into the midst of it. Selah

(P)My (Q)heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!
Awake, (R)my glory!
Awake, (S)harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
(T)I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the [f]nations.
10 For Your (U)goodness is great to the heavens
And Your [g]truth to the clouds.
11 (V)Be exalted above the heavens, God;
May Your glory be above all the earth.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57 Title Lit Do Not Destroy
  2. Psalm 57 Title Possibly, Epigrammatic Poem; or Atonement Psalm
  3. Psalm 57 Title 1 Sam 22:1; 24:3
  4. Psalm 57:3 Or snaps at
  5. Psalm 57:3 Or faithfulness
  6. Psalm 57:9 Lit peoples
  7. Psalm 57:10 Or faithfulness

Psalm 57[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.(B)

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.(C)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(D)
    until the disaster has passed.(E)

I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.(F)
He sends from heaven and saves me,(G)
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c](H)
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(I)

I am in the midst of lions;(J)
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.(K)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.(L)

They spread a net for my feet(M)
    I was bowed down(N) in distress.
They dug a pit(O) in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.(P)

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;(Q)
    I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!(R)
    I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(S)

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;(T)
    let your glory be over all the earth.(U)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
  2. Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.

Prayer for Help in Trouble.

[a]Maskil of David, when he was [b]in the cave. A Prayer.

142 I (A)cry out with my voice to the Lord;
With my voice I (B)implore the Lord for compassion.
I (C)pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my (D)trouble before Him.
When (E)my spirit felt weak within me,
You knew my path.
In the way where I walk
They have (F)hidden a trap for me.
Look to the right and see;
For there is (G)no one who regards me favorably;
[c]There is no (H)escape for me;
(I)No one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, Lord;
I said, “You are (J)my refuge,
My (K)portion in the (L)land of the living.
(M)Give Your attention to my cry,
For I have been (N)brought very low;
Rescue me from my persecutors,
For they are too (O)strong for me.
(P)Bring my soul out of prison,
So that I may give thanks to Your name;
The righteous will surround me,
For You will (Q)look after me.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 142 Title Possibly Contemplative; or Didactic; or Skillful Psalm
  2. Psalm 142 Title 1 Sam 22:1; 24:3
  3. Psalm 142:4 Lit Escape has perished from me

Psalm 142[a]

A maskil[b] of David. When he was in the cave.(A) A prayer.

I cry aloud(B) to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.(C)
I pour out before him my complaint;(D)
    before him I tell my trouble.(E)

When my spirit grows faint(F) within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;(G)
    no one cares(H) for my life.

I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,(I)
    my portion(J) in the land of the living.”(K)

Listen to my cry,(L)
    for I am in desperate need;(M)
rescue me(N) from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong(O) for me.
Set me free from my prison,(P)
    that I may praise your name.(Q)
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.(R)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 142:1 In Hebrew texts 142:1-7 is numbered 142:2-8.
  2. Psalm 142:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

From the Gadites valiant mighty men went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness, men trained for war who could handle a large shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and (A)they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains. Ezer was the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13 Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbannai, the eleventh. 14 These men from the sons of Gad were [a]captains of the army; (B)the one who was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest, to a thousand. 15 (C)These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west.

16 Then some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. 17 David went out to meet them, and said to them, “If you come peacefully to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no [b]wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.” 18 Then (D)the Spirit [c]covered (E)Amasai like clothing, the chief of the thirty; and he said,

We are yours, David,
And are with you, son of Jesse!
(F)Peace, peace to you,
And peace to him who helps you;
Indeed, your God helps you!”

Then David received them and made them [d]captains of the troops.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 12:14 Or chiefs
  2. 1 Chronicles 12:17 Lit violence
  3. 1 Chronicles 12:18 Lit clothed
  4. 1 Chronicles 12:18 Or commanders

Some Gadites(A) defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions,(B) and they were as swift as gazelles(C) in the mountains.

Ezer was the chief,

Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth and Makbannai the eleventh.

14 These Gadites were army commanders; the least was a match for a hundred,(D) and the greatest for a thousand.(E) 15 It was they who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks,(F) and they put to flight everyone living in the valleys, to the east and to the west.

16 Other Benjamites(G) and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. 17 David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.”

18 Then the Spirit(H) came on Amasai,(I) chief of the Thirty, and he said:

“We are yours, David!
    We are with you, son of Jesse!
Success,(J) success to you,
    and success to those who help you,
        for your God will help you.”

So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

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And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.” Then he [a]left them with the king of Moab; and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. But (A)Gad the prophet said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; leave, and go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went into the forest of Hereth.

Then Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now (B)Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing in front of him. Saul said to his servants who were standing in front of him, “Hear now, you Benjaminites! Will the son of Jesse really give all of you fields and vineyards? (C)Will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who [b]informs me (D)when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you (E)who cares about me or [c]informs me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day.” Then (F)Doeg the Edomite, who was [d]standing in front of the servants of Saul, responded and said, “(G)I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to (H)Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10 And (I)he inquired of the Lord for him, (J)gave him provisions, and (K)gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

11 Then the king sent a messenger to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s household, the priests who were in Nob; and all of them came to the king. 12 Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.” And he [e]replied, “Here I am, my lord.” 13 Saul then said to him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me (L)by lying in ambush as it is this day?”

14 (M)Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s own son-in-law, who [f]is commander over your bodyguard, and is honored in your house? 15 Did I just begin (N)to inquire of God for him today? Far be it from me! (O)Do not let the king impute anything against his servant or against any of the household of my father, because your servant knows nothing [g]at all of this whole affair.” 16 But the king said, “You shall certainly die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s household!” 17 And (P)the king said to the [h]guards who were attending him, “Turn around and put the priests of the Lord to death, because their hand also is with David and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not [i]inform me.” But the (Q)servants of the king were unwilling to reach out with their hands to [j]attack the priests of the Lord. 18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You, turn around and [k]attack the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned around and [l]attacked the priests, and (R)he killed on that day eighty-five men (S)who wore the linen ephod. 19 (T)He also struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants; he also struck oxen, donkeys, and sheep with the edge of the sword.

20 But (U)one son of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, (V)escaped and fled [m]to David. 21 Abiathar informed David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22 Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when (W)Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would certainly tell Saul. I myself [n]have turned against every person in your father’s household. 23 Stay with me; do not be afraid, [o]even though (X)he who is seeking my life is seeking your life. For you are safe with me.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 22:4 Probable reading of the Heb; MT brought them before
  2. 1 Samuel 22:8 Lit uncovers my ear
  3. 1 Samuel 22:8 Lit uncovers my ear
  4. 1 Samuel 22:9 Or set over
  5. 1 Samuel 22:12 Lit said
  6. 1 Samuel 22:14 As in LXX; MT turns aside to
  7. 1 Samuel 22:15 Lit small or great
  8. 1 Samuel 22:17 Lit runners
  9. 1 Samuel 22:17 Lit uncover my ear
  10. 1 Samuel 22:17 Lit fall upon
  11. 1 Samuel 22:18 Lit fall upon
  12. 1 Samuel 22:18 Lit fell upon
  13. 1 Samuel 22:20 Lit after
  14. 1 Samuel 22:22 LXX am responsible for
  15. 1 Samuel 22:23 Or because he

From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?” So he left them with the king of Moab,(A) and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.

But the prophet Gad(B) said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.(C)

Saul Kills the Priests of Nob

Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated,(D) spear in hand, under the tamarisk(E) tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side. He said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders(F) of thousands and commanders of hundreds? Is that why you have all conspired(G) against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant(H) with the son of Jesse.(I) None of you is concerned(J) about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”

But Doeg(K) the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub(L) at Nob.(M) 10 Ahimelek inquired(N) of the Lord for him; he also gave him provisions(O) and the sword(P) of Goliath the Philistine.”

11 Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all the men of his family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. 12 Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.”

“Yes, my lord,” he answered.

13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired(Q) against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?”

14 Ahimelek answered the king, “Who(R) of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? 15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”

16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.(S)

17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.”

But the king’s officials were unwilling(T) to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord.

18 The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.”(U) So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.(V) 19 He also put to the sword(W) Nob,(X) the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.

20 But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub,(Y) named Abiathar,(Z) escaped and fled to join David.(AA) 21 He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22 Then David said to Abiathar, “That day, when Doeg(AB) the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. 23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you(AC) is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”

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Futility of Boastful Wickedness.

For the music director. A [a]Maskil of David, [b]when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul and said to him, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”

52 Why do you (A)boast in evil, you mighty man?
The (B)faithfulness of God endures all day long.
Your tongue devises (C)destruction,
Like a (D)sharp razor, (E)you worker of deceit.
You (F)love evil more than good,
(G)Lies more than speaking what is right. Selah
You love all words that devour,
You (H)deceitful tongue.

[c]But God will break you down forever;
He will snatch you up and (I)tear you away from your tent,
And (J)uproot you from the (K)land of the living. Selah
The righteous will (L)see and fear,
And they will (M)laugh at him, saying,
“Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge,
But (N)trusted in the abundance of his riches
And (O)was strong in [d]his evil desire.”

But as for me, I am like a (P)green olive tree in the house of God;
I (Q)trust in the faithfulness of God forever and ever.
I will (R)praise You forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, (S)for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 52 Title Possibly Contemplative; or Didactic; or Skillful Psalm
  2. Psalm 52 Title 1 Sam 22:9
  3. Psalm 52:5 Or Also
  4. Psalm 52:7 Or his destruction

Psalm 52[a]

For the director of music. A maskil[b] of David. When Doeg the Edomite(A) had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.”

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
    Why do you boast(B) all day long,(C)
    you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
You who practice deceit,(D)
    your tongue plots destruction;(E)
    it is like a sharpened razor.(F)
You love evil(G) rather than good,
    falsehood(H) rather than speaking the truth.[c]
You love every harmful word,
    you deceitful tongue!(I)

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
    He will snatch you up and pluck(J) you from your tent;
    he will uproot(K) you from the land of the living.(L)
The righteous will see and fear;
    they will laugh(M) at you, saying,
“Here now is the man
    who did not make God his stronghold(N)
but trusted in his great wealth(O)
    and grew strong by destroying others!”

But I am like an olive tree(P)
    flourishing in the house of God;
I trust(Q) in God’s unfailing love
    for ever and ever.
For what you have done I will always praise you(R)
    in the presence of your faithful people.(S)
And I will hope in your name,(T)
    for your name is good.(U)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 52:1 In Hebrew texts 52:1-9 is numbered 52:3-11.
  2. Psalm 52:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 52:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.

David Saves Keilah

23 Then they informed David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against (A)Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors.” So David (B)inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and [a]attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and [b]attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are fearful here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?” So David inquired of the Lord once more. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for (C)I am going to hand the Philistines over to you.” Then David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines; and he drove away their livestock and struck them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

Now it came about, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech (D)fled to David at Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. When it was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has handed him over to me, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.” So Saul summoned all the people for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to (E)Abiathar the priest, “(F)Bring the ephod here.” 10 Then David said, “Lord God of Israel, Your servant has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to destroy the city on my account. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down just as Your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, please, tell Your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?” And the Lord said, “(G)They will hand you over.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 23:2 Lit strike
  2. 1 Samuel 23:2 Lit strike

David Saves Keilah

23 When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah(A) and are looting the threshing floors,”(B) he inquired(C) of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”

But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

Once again David inquired(D) of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines(E) into your hand.(F) So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. (Now Abiathar(G) son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod(H) down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

Saul Pursues David

Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands,(I) for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”(J) And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar(K) the priest, “Bring the ephod.(L) 10 David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.”

And the Lord said, “He will.”

12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender(M) me and my men to Saul?”

And the Lord said, “They will.”

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