1 Samuel 22:20 - Meaning and Application

Here we have, first, Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, escaping from the ruin of the priests’ city. Most likely, when his father was called to appear before Saul, he had stayed at home to serve at the altar. In that way, he escaped the first attack, and before Doeg and his men reached Nob, he learned of the danger and had time to flee. Where else should he go but to David? (1 Samuel 22:20). Let all who suffer for the Son of David trust the keeping of their souls to him (1 Peter 4:19).

Second, David is deeply troubled by the sad news Abiathar brings. Abiathar told him about the bloody work Saul had done among the priests of the Lord (1 Samuel 22:21), just as John’s disciples, after their master was beheaded, went and told Jesus (Matthew 14:12). David grieved over the disaster itself, but especially because he felt he had helped cause it: “I have caused the death of all the people of your father’s house” (1 Samuel 22:22). It is a heavy burden for a godly man to find that he has somehow contributed to trouble in the church or ministry. David knew Doeg’s character well enough to fear that he would do this kind of harm when he saw him at the sanctuary: “I knew he would tell Saul.” He calls him Doeg the Edomite because, though he had taken on the outward profession of Israel’s religion, he still had an Edomite heart.

Third, David gives Abiathar protection. He sees that Abiathar is afraid, and rightly so, so he tells him not to fear and promises to guard him as carefully as he guards himself: “With me you will be safe” (1 Samuel 22:23). David has now had time to settle his mind, and he speaks with confidence about his own safety. He promises Abiathar the full benefit of that protection. It is promised to the Son of David that God will hide him in the shadow of his hand (Isaiah 49:2), and all who belong to him may be sure they will be kept safe with him (Psalm 91:1).

David now has not only a prophet with him, but a priest, even a high priest, and he is a blessing to David, and David to him. Their presence together is a hopeful sign of David’s future success. Yet it seems Saul also had a high priest, because he had a way to consult the Urim, a sacred means of asking God for guidance. It is thought that Saul preferred Ahitub’s son, Zadok’s father, from the family of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:8), because even people who hate true godliness still want the outward form of religion.

We should also remember that David wrote Psalm 52 at this time, as the psalm’s title shows. In that psalm he describes Doeg as not only cruel and spiteful, but also false and deceitful, because although the basic facts of what he said were true, he told them in a way meant to do harm. Even then, when the priesthood seemed to be only a withered branch, David saw himself as a green olive tree in the house of God (Psalm 52:8). In all the pressure and confusion David lived under, he still found time and a heart for fellowship with God, and he found comfort in it.