Audio Download

1 Samuel 22:1–23 David at the Cave of Adullam

[Study Aired June 22, 2026]

The study for today provides two contrasting characteristics. We have the Lord’s elect, represented by David, his family and all those distressed and burdened, on one hand, and the other being our brethren in the church system of this world or Babylon, signified by Saul and Doeg, his accomplice.  While David’s reliance on the Lord was growing as he sought refuge in the cave of Adullam, king Saul was in a downward spiral of tyranny and wickedness, culminating in the murder of the priests at Nob. 

David at the Cave of Adullam

1Sa 22:1  David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. 
1Sa 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. 

From the previous chapter, we saw that David had to behave like a madman to escape from king Achish of Gath, when the people recognized David and his exploits during the war of Israel and the Philistines. David therefore had to escape from Gath to the cave of Adullam in Judah of Israel. As indicated in the previous study, Gath means ‘winepress’ and it symbolizes the Lord’s judgment on David or His elect. Adullam means ‘justice of the people.’ Therefore, David escaping from Gath and coming to the cave of Adullam implies taking refuge in Christ, Who executes justice for all who are oppressed, even when we are under His judgment. 

Psalm 103:6 “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed”.

Psalm 140:12 “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and will execute justice for the needy”.

Luke 18:7 “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?”.

Taking refuge in Christ also involves coming to the assembly of the Lord’s elect or the heavenly Jerusalem or the church of the firstborn. In the case of David, his coming to Adullam made it possible for him to be gathered with his brethren and all of his father’s house, which signify the assembly of the Lord’s elect. 

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 

In addition, all those in distress, in debt and discontented gathered together with David as their captain at the cave of Adullam. The four hundred men (400 = 4X10X10) who were gathered together with David represent the whole of the Lord’s elect, who will serve as witnesses of Christ as they take refuge in Christ.  As we are aware, the number four signifies the whole of the matter under discussion, and the two tens denote being witnesses. We all come to the assembly of the Lord’s elect, full of the flesh (the significance of the number ten), before the Lord judges us to learn righteousness. Here in Hebrews 12:26-27, above, we are told that it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that our earth and heavens are shaken to remove everything of the flesh. In other words, it is through the Lord’s judgment that we learn righteousness.

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

When the Lord came to us, we were in distress. In other words, we were in extreme anxiety, not knowing what to do, when Christ came to us and brought us to the church of the firstborn.

Rom 5:6  While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation] at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. AMP   

As shown in verse 2, we were also indebted to Christ, and there was no way that we could repay Him. However, in His mercy, He forgave us our debt.

Mat 18:23  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 
Mat 18:24  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 
Mat 18:25  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 
Mat 18:26  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 
Mat 18:27  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 

Before we became part of the assembly of the Lord’s elect, we were also discontented, which showed itself in our anxiety over what to eat, drink and to be clothed with. However, through the Lord’s mercy, we are now content with what the Lord is doing in our lives. 

Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 

We see here in verse 2 that David became the captain of all those gathered. Jesus being the son of David, represents David. Therefore, it is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the captain of our salvation.  

Luk 18:38  And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 

Heb 2:10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 

1Sa 22:3  And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. 
1Sa 22:4  And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. 

Mizpeh means ‘watchtower’ and Moab denotes ‘of his father.’ David going to Mizpeh of Moab therefore means that being in Christ is being kept safe in the watchtower of our Father, God. On a positive note, David sending his parents to the king of Moab signifies David committing his parents to the protection of the Lord, who is our refuge and fortress.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 
Psa 91:2  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 
Psa 91:3  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 
Psa 91:4  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psa 91:5  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 
Psa 91:6  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.   

In another perspective, David’s father here signifies all the men of faith who lived their lives in Christ. David’s mother represents the church of the Lord’s elect. Therefore, David’s father and mother being secured in Moab in verse 4 shows us that we, His elect as men of faith, representing the church of the firstborn, are fully secured in Christ. 

Psa 18:2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 

David making a statement in verse 3 that he is committing his parents to the care of the king of Moab, until he figured out what the Lord would do for him shows us that David was maturing in his walk with Christ. This is because he recognized that all that he was going through was of the Lord. It also demonstrates the confidence that David had in the Lord that He will show up or deliver him from all that he was going through. 

Psa 56:8  You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them. 

Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

1Sa 22:5  And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth. 

The Lord, through one of His prophets, advised David not to stay in the cave of Adullam or the hold, but rather go to the land of Judah. Hareth means ‘forest’ and therefore the Lord wanted David to hide in a forest. As we are aware, a forest is a large area covered with trees. In the Bible, human beings are described as trees as shown in the following verses:  

Mar 8:24  And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 

Jdg 9:8  The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. 

Therefore, David coming to the forest of Hareth means that because the Lord is our refuge, we can hide in the midst of the people of this world. It is significant to know that when the people wanted to kill Jesus, He hid in the midst of the people.

Luk 4:28  And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 
Luk 4:29  And rose up, and thrust him (Jesus) out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 
Luk 4:30  But he passing through the midst of them went his way, 

Saul Kills the Priests at Nob

1Sa 22:6  When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) 
1Sa 22:7  Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; 
1Sa 22:8  That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 

The situation of Saul at Gibeah in verse 6 is worthy of mention. He was under a tree in Ramah, having a spear in his hands, and all his servants were standing about him. As indicated earlier, trees symbolize men, and Saul under a tree signifies being under the influence of men, as we see many of our brothers and sisters in Babylon under the influence of men who claim to be sent by the Lord. In previous studies, we indicated that Saul’s spear denotes the false doctrines which darken our understanding of the word of the Lord. Just as Saul had his servants around him, many of the leaders of the church system of this world or Babylon are surrounded by brethren who work for their leader as servants, instead of co-laborers of the vineyard of the Lord.  

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 

In verses 7-8, Saul lamented about how all Israel had conspired against him by not telling him about how his son Jonathan had stirred up David against him. Here Saul was behaving as typical of the leaders of the church system of this world whose message are always centered about themselves, but not Christ. These leaders always demand their congregation’s loyalty and not about their loyalty to Christ.

2Co 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 
2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.   

1Sa 22:9  Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 
1Sa 22:10  And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. 

Doeg being an Edomite means that he was a descendant of Esau and therefore was not part of the commonwealth of Israel. It also shows that Doeg was of the flesh or dominated by the flesh. As we can see here in verse 9, he occupied a key position in Saul’s regime where he was head over the servants of Saul. This demonstrates how the leadership of the church system of this world or Babylon, signified by Saul’s regime, is dominated by those who are full of the flesh and do not have an inkling of life in the spirit. Doeg, therefore, represents these men who take control of silly women or the church system of this world or Babylon, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.  

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 
2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 
2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

Doeg wanting to please Saul signifies many who have their conscience seared such that they prefer to please men for an advantage, instead of pleasing the Lord. 

1Sa 22:11  Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king. 
1Sa 22:12  And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. 
1Sa 22:13  And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 
1Sa 22:14  Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? 
1Sa 22:15  Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. 

Although Ahimelech thought he was ministering to the needs of the Lord’s elect, by ministering to David, Saul accused him of helping David to rise up against him. When we minister to the spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters in Babylon, whom the Lord brings our way, the leadership of Babylon thinks that we are usurping their authority. If you can remember, the chief priests and the elders of the people questioned the authority which Jesus had regarding the good work He was doing in ministering to the spiritual needs of the people. However, the Lord, being full of the wisdom of God, exposed their hypocrisy.   

Mat 21:23  And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
Mat 21:24  And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 
Mat 21:25  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 
Mat 21:26  But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 
Mat 21:27  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

1Sa 22:16  And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house. 
1Sa 22:17  And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. 

As indicated in the previous study, Ahimelech, together with his father’s house of priests, represents the church of the Lord’s elect. Saul and the people gathered around him, on the other hand, signify our brethren in the church system of this world or Babylon. Saul requesting the footmen that stood about him to kill the priests shows us how our brothers and sisters in Babylon consider us as spiritually dead in the street of Jerusalem or the corridors of Babylon. 

Rev 11:7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 
Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.  

Just as Pilate and his wife did not want to have anything to do with Jesus’ death, because he was innocent, in a similar way, these footmen were just like Pilate and his wife, who did not want to have anything to do with the death of Ahimelech and his father’s household of priests. 

Mat 27:17  Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 
Mat 27:18  For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 
Mat 27:19  When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 

This shows us that as He is, so are we, His elect, in this life. In other words, what the Lord Jesus passed through in His life here on earth is not different from what we are going through. Because Jesus went through what we are going through, He is touched by our feelings of infirmities, and therefore He is able to show us mercy and grant us grace in our time of trouble.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

1Sa 22:18  And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 
1Sa 22:19  And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. 

Doeg, who was the head of Saul’s servants, killed all the eighty-five priests of the household of Ahimelech’s father. In addition, he killed all the men, women, children, sucklings and their animals. This is to show us that the devil’s enmity against us through our brothers and sisters in Babylon, does not only affect us, His elect, but it extends to our family, our resources and even the works of our hands. We must remember that when the devil came to sift Job, he laid his hands not only on Job, but also his children and his resources. 

Fortunately, the Lord takes care of everything that we have – our children, resources, work, etc. 

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
Php 4:20  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

1Sa 22:20  And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. 
1Sa 22:21  And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’S priests. 
1Sa 22:22  And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.
1Sa 22:23  Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard. 

Although Doeg murdered all the people in Ahimelech’s father’s house, Abiathar was able to escape, as he fled after David. On a negative perspective, we can say that all the priests who were killed by Doeg represent the many who are called but not chosen. On the other hand, it was only Abiathar, which means ‘my father is great’, who escaped and joined David’s men. Abiathar in this case signifies the few (the Lord’s elect) who are called and chosen. 

Jer 44:28  Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.   

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen. 

Verses 20 – 23 therefore signify our escape from the church system of this world or Babylon to the church of the Lord’s elect or the heavenly Jerusalem. As shown in verse 23, it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that there is safety, as we abide under the shadow of the wings of the Lord.

Psa 91:4  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 
Psa 91:5  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 
Psa 91:6  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  

Thanks be to the Lord who has helped us escape the snare of the fowler. May His name be praised. Amen!!