1 Samuel 22:1 - Meaning and Application

David took refuge in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1). We are not told whether it was a natural cave or one made stronger by people, but it seems to have been hard to reach. David likely thought he could hold it, even with Goliath’s sword, against all Saul’s forces. So he stayed hidden there, waiting to see, as he says later, what God would do with him (1 Samuel 22:3).

The promise that David would be king included God’s promise to keep him safe. Even so, David still used proper means to protect himself. If he had refused to take precautions, he would have been testing God. He did nothing to destroy Saul. He only sought to keep himself safe. The man who could have served his country so well as a judge or commander is here shut up in a cave, treated like a useless vessel. We should not be surprised if bright lights are sometimes hidden away. The writer of Hebrews may have had David, among others, in mind when he spoke of faithful people who wandered in deserts and in caves of the earth (Hebrews 11:38).

It was at this time that David wrote Psalm 142:1-7, the prayer that is described as being written while he was in the cave. There he says that no one would recognize him and that refuge had failed him, but he still hoped that soon the righteous would gather around him.

David’s relatives came to him there, his brothers and all his father’s house, to protect him, help him, and share his lot. A brother is born for hard times. Joab, Abishai, and the rest of his relatives came to suffer with him and risk their lives with him, hoping that they would soon rise with him too. And that is what happened. The first three of David’s mighty men were the ones who first came to him when he was in the cave (1 Chronicles 11:15 and following).

There David also began to gather men for his own defense (1 Samuel 22:2). He had already learned that he could not save himself by running away, so he was forced to protect himself by force. Yet he never acted as an attacker. He never raised his hand against his king or disturbed the peace of the nation. He only used his men as a guard for his own person. Even so, his company was not impressive in worldly terms. They were not made up of great men, rich men, brave men, or even especially good men. They were men in trouble, in debt, and bitter in spirit, people whose lives had fallen apart and who did not know what else to do. When David settled in the cave of Adullam, they joined him, about four hundred men in all. This shows how God often uses weak and unlikely means to carry out his purposes. The Son of David, Christ, is ready to receive distressed souls who will make him their captain and obey him.

David also took care to put his parents in a place of safety. While Saul was so enraged against David, there was no safe place anywhere in Israel for David’s family. So he brought them to the king of Moab and placed them under his protection (1 Samuel 22:3-4).

This shows David’s tender care for his aging parents. It was not right to leave them exposed to the fear and hardship he himself had to face in his struggle with Saul, because their age could not bear such trouble. So his first concern was to find them a quiet home, whatever happened to him. Children should learn from this to show kindness at home and repay their parents (1 Timothy 5:4), always thinking about their comfort and peace. Even if they are highly placed and very busy, they should not forget their aged parents.

David also showed humble faith in the outcome of his troubles. He said, “Until I know what God will do for me” (1 Samuel 22:3). He spoke with modest hope, as one who had fully given himself to God and committed his way to him. He did not expect a good result from his own skill, weapons, or worth, but from what God’s wisdom, power, and goodness would do for him. David’s father and mother left him, but God did not (Psalm 27:10).

At this time David also had the advice and help of the prophet Gad, likely one of the sons of the prophets trained under Samuel, and probably sent by him to be David’s spiritual guide. As a prophet, Gad would pray for David and teach him God’s will. David himself was also a prophet, yet he was glad of Gad’s help. Gad advised him to go into the land of Judah (1 Samuel 22:5), since David knew himself to be innocent and trusted God’s protection. He also desired, even in his hard situation, to serve his own tribe and country. He should not be ashamed to stand by his own cause or refuse the help offered to him. Strengthened by this word, he decided to appear openly there. In this way the Lord directed the steps of a good man.