1 Samuel 22
Arthur Pink · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Samuel 22
Pink - It is blessed to learn how David employed himself at this time; yet close searching has to be done before this can be ascertained. The Bible is no lazy man’s book: much of its treasure, like the valuable minerals stored in the bowels of the earth, only yield up themselves to the diligent seeker. Compare Proverbs 2:1–5. By noting the superscriptions to the Psalms (which, with many others, we are satisfied are Divinely inspired), we discover that two of them were composed by “the sweet singer of Israel” at this time. Just as the 34th casts its welcome light upon the close of 1 Samuel 21, so Psalm 57 and 142 illuminate the opening verses of 1 Samuel 22. The underground asylum of David made an admirable closet for prayer, its very solitude being helpful for the exercise of devotion. Well did C. H.
1 Samuel 22
Pink - The high favorites of Heaven are sometimes to be located in queer and unexpected places. Joseph in prison, the descendants of Abraham laboring in the brick-kilns of Egypt, Daniel in the lions’ den, Jonah in the great fish’s belly, Paul clinging to a spar in the sea, forcibly illustrate this principle. Then let us not murmur because we do not now live in as fine a house as do some of the ungodly; our “mansions” are in Heaven! David in Cave at Adullam DAVID GOES FROM A COURT TO A CAVE So - Term of conclusion - David's conclusion in light of Achish's reaction is to "get out of dodge"....quick! David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam ( "justice of the people") - See #6 on the map above, noting Adullam about 5-10 miles east of Gath. The cave must have been large, to be able to house 400 men (which would soon grow to 600 - 1Sa 23:13). Don Anderson - In our lives there are many sacred spots, special places of memory where we have met with our Lord. I'm sure for David this cave proves to be a real turning point in his life, as he comes back to the Lord and gets his heart right with Him. During that time of back-sliding he doubted God, told lies and feared man. But that time is past. Now he is in fellowship with God once more. He had come clean with God and rested in Him with greater confidence and trust than ever before. David was God's anointed king in exile. These men gathered about him, recognizing him as God's chosen one. Roe: “The cave of Adullam is about 10 miles back toward Bethlehem up the Valley of Elah which is pock-marked with caves. It is an ideal hiding place and is very close to the border of the Philistines, where David can again flee if he has to get across the border in a hurry. It is also reasonably close to Bethlehem, his home town. So, from his perspective, he is pretty centrally located. ”
1 Samuel 22
Pink - Ah, true love is unaffected by the outward circumstances of its object. Where the heart is genuinely knit to another, a change in his fortunes will not produce a change in its affections. David might be, in the eyes of the world, in disgrace; but that made no difference to those who loved him. He might be languishing in a cavern, but that was all the more reason why they should show their kindness and demonstrate their unswerving loyalty. Among other things, this painful trial enabled David to discover who were, and who were not, his real friends. Paul Jorden points out, "In difficulty we don't give up but go forward because our strength is in God and not in ourselves. This is especially important when we have failed. The love and mercy of God are all-sufficient. Although we are unfaithful, God is never unfaithful. As children of the Almighty God, we can go forward with great confidence. Although life may not be all we want it to be, we know God can bring into our lives the things he wants us to experience." Practical subjection unto to the Lord is only learned in the school of experience. Pink states that "Though God's delays are trying to flesh and blood, nevertheless, they are ordered by perfect wisdom and infinite love. The underground asylum of David made an admirable closet for prayer, its very solitude being helpful for the exercise of devotion. Well did C. H.
1 Samuel 22
Pink - A careful reading of the fifty-seventh Psalm will enable us to follow one who began it amid the gloomy shadows of the cavern, but from which he gradually emerged into the open daylight. So it often is in the experiences of the believer’s soul. Perhaps the Psalm 142 was composed by David before the Psalm 57: certainly it brings before us one who was in deeper anguish of soul. Blessed indeed is it to mark the striking contrast from what is here presented to us and what was before us as we passed through 1 Samuel 20. There we saw the worried fugitive turning to Jonathan, lying to Ahimelech, playing the madman at Gath. But vain was the hope of man. Yet how often we have to pass through these painful experiences and bitter disappointments before we thoroughly learn this lesson! Here we behold the son of Jesse turning to the only One who could do him any real good. “I cried unto the Lord with my voice I poured out my complaint before Him. I showed before Him my trouble” (vv. 1, 2). This is what we should do: thoroughly unburden our hearts unto Him with whom we have to do. Note how, at the close of this Psalm, after he had so freely poured out his woes, David exclaimed, “Thou shalt deal bountifully with me!” With my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. He dwells upon the fact that he spoke aloud in prayer; it was evidently well impressed upon his memory, hence he doubles the word and says, "with my voice; with my voice." It is well when our supplications are such that we find pleasure in looking back upon them. He that is cheered by the memory of his prayers will pray again. See how the good man's appeal was to Jehovah only: he did not go round about to men, but he ran straight forward to Jehovah, his God. What true wisdom is here! Consider how the Psalmist's prayer grew into shape as he proceeded with it. Its first poured out his natural longings, "I cried"; and then he gathered up all his wits and arranged his thoughts, "I made supplication." True prayers may differ in their diction, but not in their direction: an impromptu cry and a preconceived supplication must alike ascend towards the one prayer hearing God, and he will accept each of them with equal readiness. The intense personality of the prayer is noteworthy: no doubt the Psalmist was glad of the prayers of others, but he was not content to be silent himself. See how everything is in the first person, "I cried with my voice; with my voice did I make my supplication." It is good to pray in the plural"Our Father", but in times of trouble we shall feel forced to change our note into "Let this cup pass from me." Psalm 142:2. I poured out my complaint before him. His inward meditation filled his soul: the bitter water rose up to the brim; what was to be done? He must pour out the wormwood and the gall, he could not keep it in; he lets it run away as best it can, that so his heart may be emptied of the fermenting mixture. But he took care where he outpoured his complaint, lest he should do mischief, or receive an ill return. If he poured it out before man he might only receive contempt from the proud, hardheartedness from the careless, or pretended sympathy from the false; and therefore he resolved upon an outpouring before God alone, since he would pity and relieve. The word is Scarcely "complaint"; but even if it be so we may learn from this text that our complaint must never be of a kind that we dare not bring before God. We may complain to God, but not of God. When we complain it should not be before men, but before God alone. I shewed before him my trouble. He exhibited his griefs to one who could assuage them: he did not fall into the mistaken plan of so many who publish their sorrows to those who cannot help them. This verse is parallel with the first; David first pours out his complaint, letting it flow forth in a natural, spontaneous manner, and then afterwards he makes a more elaborate show of his affliction; just as in the former verse (Psalms 141:1-10) he began with crying, and went on to "make supplication." Praying men pray better as they proceed. Note that we do not show our trouble before the Lord that he may see it, but that we may see him. It is for our relief, and not for his information that we make plain statements concerning our woes: it does us much good to set out our sorrow in order, for much of it vanishes in the process, like a ghost which will not abide the light of day; and the rest loses much of its terror, because the veil of mystery is removed by a clear and deliberate stating of the trying facts. Pour out your thoughts and you will see what they are; show your trouble and the extent of it will be known to you: let all be done before the Lord, for in comparison with his great majesty of love the trouble will seem to be as nothing. Psalm 142:3. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. The bravest spirit is sometimes sorely put to it. A heavy fog settles down upon the mind, and the man seems drowned and smothered in it; covered with a cloud, crushed with a load, confused with difficulties, conquered by impossibilities. David was a hero, and yet his spirit sank: he could smite a giant down, but he could not keep himself up. He did not know his own path, nor feel able to bear his own burden. Observe his comfort: he looked away from his own condition to the ever observant, all knowing God: and solaced himself with the fact that all was known to his heavenly Friend. Truly it is well for us to know that God knows what we do not know. We lose our heads, but God never closes his eyes: our judgments lose their balance, but the eternal mind is always clear. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. This the Lord knew at the time, and gave his servant warning of it. Looking back, the sweet singer is rejoiced that he had so gracious a Guardian, who kept him from unseen dangers. Nothing is hidden from God; no secret snare can hurt the man who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, for he shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The use of concealed traps is disgraceful to our enemies, but they care little to what tricks they resort for their evil purposes. Wicked men must find some exercise for their malice, and therefore when they dare not openly assail they will privately ensnare. They watch the gracious man to see where his haunt is, and there they set their trap; but they do it with great caution, avoiding all observation, lest their victim being forewarned should escape their toils. This is a great trial, but the Lord is greater still, and makes us to walk safely in the midst of danger, for he knows us and our enemies, our way and the snare which is laid in it. Blessed be his name. But since God knew his path, he was not taken in their snares. We owe eternal praises to the Lord for keeping us out of the hands of our enemies. Psalm 142:4. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me. He did not miss a friend for want of looking for him, nor for want of looking in a likely place. Surely some helper would be found in the place of honour; some one would stand at his right hand to undertake his defence. He looked steadily, and saw all that could be seen, for he "beheld"; but his anxious gaze was not met by an answering smile. Strange to say, all were strange to David. He had known many, but none would know him. When a person is in ill odour it is wonderful how weak the memories of his former friends become: they quite forget, they refuse to know. This is a dire calamity. It is better to be opposed by foes than to be forsaken by friends, When friends look for us they affect to have known us from our birth, but when we look for friends it is wonderful how little we can make them remember: the fact is that in times of desertion it is not true that no man did know us, but no man would know us. Their ignorance is wilful. Refuge failed me. Where in happier days I found a ready harbour I now discovered none at all. My place of flight had taken to flight. My refuge gave me a refusal. No man cared for my soul. Whether I lived or died was no concern of anybody's. I was cast out as an outcast. No soul cared for my soul. I dwelt in No man's land, where none cared to have me, and none cared about me. This is an ill plightno place where to lay our head, and no head willing to find us a place. How pleased were his enemies to see the friend of God without a friend! How sad was he to be utterly deserted in his utmost need! Can we not picture David in the cave, complaining that even the cave was not a refuge for him, for Saul had come even there? Hopeless was his looking out, we shall soon see him looking up. Psalm 142:5. I cried unto thee, O Lord. As man would not regard him, David was driven to Jehovah, his God. Was not this a gain made out of a loss? Wealth gained by a failure? Anything which leads us to cry unto God is a blessing to us. This is the second time that in this short psalm we find the same record, "I cried unto thee, O LORD": the saintly man is evidently glad to remember his cry and its results. We hear often of the bitter cry of outcast London, here is another bitter cry, and it comes from an outcast, in wretched lodgings, forgotten by those who should have helped him. I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. There is a sort of progressive repetition all through this sacred song; he cried first, but he said afterwards: his cry was bitter, but his saying was sweet; his cry was sharp and short, but his saying was fresh and full. It gives a believer great pleasure to remember his own believing speeches: he may well desire to bury his unbelieving murmurings in oblivion, but the triumphs of grace in working in him a living faith, he will not dream of forgetting. What a grand confession of faith was this! David spoke to God, and of God "Thou art my refuge." Not thou hast provided me a refuge, but thou, thyself, art my refuge. He fled to God alone; he hid himself beneath the wings of the Eternal. He not only believed this, but said it, and practised it. Nor was this all; for David, when banished from his portion in the promised land, and cut off from the portion of goods which he by right inherited, found his portion in God, yea, God was his portion. This was so not only in reference to a future state, but here among living men. It is sometimes easier to believe in a portion in heaven than in a portion upon earth: we could die more easily than live, at least we think so. But there is no living in the land of the living like living upon the living God. For the man of God to say these precious things in the hour of his dire distress was a grand attainment. It is easy to prate bravely when we dwell at ease, but to speak confidently in affliction is quite another matter. Even in this one sentence we have two parts, the second rising far above the first. It is something to have Jehovah for our refuge, but it is everything to have him for our portion. If David had not cried he would not have said; and if the Lord had not been his refuge he would never have been his portion. The lower step is as needful as the higher; but it is not necessary always to stop on the first round of the ladder. Psalm 142:6. Attend unto my cry. Men of God look upon prayer as a reality, and they are not content without having an audience with God; moreover, they have such confidence in the Lord's condescending grace, that they hope he will even attend to that poor broken prayer which can only be described as a cry. In the worst times all is well if we do not lose our faith in the Lord. No matter how powerful our enemies, we shall overcome if we cling to the divine arm For I am brought very low, and therefore all the prayer I can raise is a mournful cry. This is his argument with God: he is reduced to such a sad condition that if he be not rescued he will be ruined. Gracious men may not only be low, but very low; and this should not be a reason for their doubting the efficacy of their prayers, but rather a plea with the Lord why they should have special attention. Deliver me from my persecutors. If he did not get out of their hands, they would soon kill him out of hand, and as he could not himself effect an escape, he cried to God, "deliver me." For they are stronger than I. As he before found a plea in his sadness, so now in his feebleness: Saul and his courtiers were in power, and could command the aid of all who sought royal favour; but poor David was in the cave, and every Nabal girded at him. Saul was a monarch, and David a fugitive; Saul had all the forms of law on his side, while David was an outlaw: so that the prayer before us comes from the weak, who proverbially go to the wall, a good place to go to if they turn their faces to it in prayer, as Hezekiah did in his sickness. The Lord is wont to take the side of the oppressed, and to show his power by baffling tyrants; David's supplication was therefore sure to speed. In these sentences we see how explicitly the man of God described his case in his private communings with his Lord: in real earnest he poured out his complaint before him and showed before him his trouble. Psalm 142:7. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. That God may be glorified is another notable plea for a suppliant. Escaped prisoners are sure to speak well of those who give them liberty; Soul emancipation is the noblest form of liberation, and calls for the loudest praise: he who is delivered from the dungeons of despair is sure to magnify the name of the Lord. We are in such a prison that only God himself can bring us out of it, and when he does so he will put a new song into our mouths. The cave was not half such a dungeon to David's body as persecution and temptation made for his soul. To be exiled from the godly is worse than imprisonment, hence David makes it one point of his release that he would be restored to church fellowship The righteous shall compass me about. Saints gather around a child of God when his Father smiles upon him; they come to hear his joyful testimony, to rejoice with him, and to have their own faith encouraged. All the true believers in the twelve tribes were glad to rally to David's banner when the Lord enlarged his spirit; they glorified God for him and with him and through him. They congratulated him, consorted with him, crowned him, and championed him. This was a sweet experience for righteous David, who had for awhile come under the censure of the upright. He bore their smiting with patience, and now he welcomes their sanction with gratitude. Very soon, good men and true mustered in great numbers under David’s command, and he was no more left in utter loneliness, but became a powerful leader. The Lord can find us friends when we are friendless For thou shalt deal bountifully with me. God's bountiful dealing is sure to bring with it the sympathy and alliance of all the favourites of the Great King. What a change from looking for a friend and finding none to this enthusiastic concourse of allies around the man after God's own heart! When we can begin a psalm with crying, we may hope to close it with singing. The voice of prayer soon awakens the voice of praise. Company of the Unfit - 1 Samuel 21:1-2 When Gen. George Washington gathered his armies to fight against the redcoats, they came from every conceivable walk of life. Some were frontiersmen, while others were merchants, farmers and even slaves. But the overwhelming majority had one thing in common: they were not trained soldiers. Most of them had shot nothing bigger than wild game. Yet in spite of that glaring deficiency, they took on the disciplined regiments of British regulars, and after a seven-year struggle they won. David's army also was a ragtag band of misfits. Those who were in trouble, in debt or simply discontented were drawn to him. A more motley group of outcasts would be hard to find--hardly a fit army for a would-be king. Yet despite their many shortcomings, God used them ultimately to bring David to the throne. God delights in accomplishing His will through those the world considers unfit. He always has been attracted to people who will make themselves available and let Him do the rest. He took a schemer like Jacob and made him the father of Israel. He took an escaped fugitive like Moses and made him a fearless liberator. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that He was able to take a group of unlikely malcontents and debtors and use them to establish a shepherd boy like David as king over Israel. Imagine what He can do with you and me. Are you ill-equipped for the task that God has called you to? Then rejoice, because that means you have the primary qualification God is looking for. If you are willing to be used, God will do the rest. (Courtesy of Back to the Bible) God can make the unfit fit for His plans. James Smith - DAVID IN ADULLAM.1 Samuel 22:1, 2; 23. "When God afflicts thee, think He hews a rugged stone, Which must be shaped, or else aside as useless thrown!" —Trench. In the closing verses of the previous chapter we have recorded what was perhaps the darkest passage in the experience of David. What a melancholy sight—the Lord's anointed one feigning himself mad through the fear of man. Even anointed ones will be constrained to play the fool when they put their trust in the arm of flesh instead of in the living God (chap. 21:10). As soon as David lost faith in God he changed his behaviour, and took to "scribbling on the doors of the gate" like a lunatic. There is a very vital connection between our creed and our conduct; a change of faith will certainly lead to a change of behaviour. Through fear of King Achish David fled to the cave of Adullam. Solitude with God is better than the friendship of the world. This act of separation was richly rewarded, for "his brethren and all his father's house went down thither to him" (see chap. 17:28). There came also many others. I. The Character of those who came to David. 1. THE DISTRESSED. It was one thing to hear about David, and perhaps to sympathise with him in his cause; it was quite another thing to be driven to him by the force of sheer necessity. We are not told what they were distressed about. The cause may have been the sufferings of David or the unsettled condition of the country, or some personal affliction and loss. In any case, it is a blessed distress that constrains us to seek the help and share the fortunes of the Lord's anointed. The self-satisfied heed not the claims of the rejected One (Rev. 3:20). It was distress that brought the prodigal home to his father (Luke 15:18). 2. THE DEBTORS. "Every one that was in debt." In fleeing to David, and espousing his cause, those bankrupts found a way of escape out of all their liabilities under the rule of a God-rejected Saul. Under the law we are insolvent debtors, but Christ rescues such sinners, and is willing to bear their blame for ever (Luke 7:42). 3. THE DISCONTENTED. Those whose souls were embittered through disappointment and harassing circumstances—thirsty, restless, and unsatisfied lives. Oh, how many are smitten with this plague! Yet how few seek refuge in the presence of Him who alone can satisfy (Psa. 23:5). Around the world's self-made broken cisterns there are great multitudes of such wretched folk who are more inclined to talk of their complaints than to go to the heavenly David, who is the Fountain of Life (Jer. 2:13). Contentment is learned here (Phil. 4:11). II. Why they came to David. 1. THEY CAME BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN HIM. They believed that David was God's appointed king, and his was the right to reign over them. They had in fact got converted to David. Faith cometh by hearing. Have we so believed in Jesus Christ as the divinely-appointed and highly exalted King over all? 2. THEY CAME BECAUSE THEY WERE DECIDED FOR HIM. Their belief led them to take definite action. They not only heard the sayings, but did them, according to the ways of the wise (Matt. 7:24). It is one thing to believe about Christ, as the anointed Saviour and King; it is quite another to take our stand with Him and for Him (John 9:27). In deciding for David, they, like us, had to go forth unto him, without the camp, bearing his reproach (Heb. 13:13). Decision for Christ means separation from the world. 3. THEY CAME BECAUSE THEY WERE PREPARED TO SUBMIT TO HIM. Having claimed him as their king, they yielded themselves into his hands, for the honour of his name and the advancement of his kingdom. How can we claim to have acknowledged Christ as our King if we have not surrendered ourselves to Him? Is not this our reasonable service? (Rom. 12:1). III. What David became to Them. "He became a captain over them." As soon as they took their place as followers David assumed his right and power to lead. They would thus therefore look to him— 1. FOR GUIDANCE. Their attitude to David now is, "Not my will, but thine be done;" what wilt thou have me to do? Is this the attitude of our heart to Him who hath received us in our dire need, having redeemed us with His Blood? One is your Master, even Christ. He guides by the unerring eye of His Word (Psa. 32:8). "Lead thou me on." 2. FOR PROTECTION. Having become the disciples of David, they exposed themselves to the wrath and enmity of the followers of Saul. They who obey the god of this world will always be at war in their heart with the followers of the Lord's anointed. But greater is He that is with us than he that is with them. God is for us, therefore we shall not be moved. David said, "Abide with me, fear not; for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard" (v. 23). "He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him." 3. FOR REWARD. The cause of David was no forlorn hope. It was the cause of God, therefore its ultimate triumph was sure. They who suffered with him in the days of his national rejection would, no doubt, be honoured with him in the day of his exaltation. "If we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified together" (Rom. 8:17). The day is coming when this despised One shall be crowned Lord of All, and those who have followed Him in the rejection will be abundantly rewarded when they enter into the "Joy of the Lord" (Matt. 25:21). He shall divide the spoil with the strong (Isa. 53:12). A W Pink - AT the close of the preceding chapter, we saw the backslider restored to communion with God. As David then wrote, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous”—most of them brought upon themselves through sinful folly—“but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19). Yet, in His own good time. The hour had not yet arrived for our patriarch to ascend the throne. It would have been a simple matter for God to have put forth His power, destroyed Saul, and given His servant rest from all his foes. And this, no doubt, is what the energetic nature of David had much preferred. But there were other counsels of God to be unfolded before He was ready for the son of Jesse to wield the scepter. Though we are impulsive and impetuous, God is never in a hurry; the sooner we learn this lesson, the better for our own peace of mind, and the sooner shall we “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Ps. 37:7). “God had designs other than the mere exaltation of David. He intended to allow the evil of Saul and of Israel to exhibit itself. He intended to give to David some apprehension of the character of his own heart, and to cause him to learn subjection to a greater wisdom than his own. He intended also to prove the hearts of His own people Israel; and to try how many among them would discern that the Cave of Adullam was the only true place of excellency and honour in Israel” (B. W. Newton). Further discipline was needed by David, if he was to learn deeper lessons of dependency upon God. Learn from this, dear reader, that though God’s delays are trying to flesh and blood, nevertheless they are ordered by perfect wisdom and infinite love. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come” (Hab. 2:3). (Life of David) Theodore Epp - Rejected but Strong 1 Samuel 22:1-5; Psalm 34:8-22 We find in 1 Samuel 22 that David has stopped hiding among his enemies and has returned to his own land. It was during this period in his experience that he wrote psalms 34, 57 and 142. David was God's anointed king in exile. These men gathered around him, recognizing him as God's chosen one. They were willing to wait for God's time with him and were willing to suffer with him if necessary. They did for David what we are admonished to do for Christ in Hebrews 13:13: "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." Paul reminded us in Romans 8:17 that we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him." Our Lord is now rejected but is gathering together a group to reign with Him. This is only a small army. They are equipped to fight, not with carnal weapons but with the spiritual weapons that are mighty through God. With Christ as Captain this army will conquer. We can only do great things in the future as we learn to do the right things now. We learn from Ephesians 2:6 that God has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." This is something that is true of us now. We are being trained by our Lord now and can learn to say as Paul did, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand" (Ps. 37:24). 1 Samuel 22:2 Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him. ἦσαν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ ὡς τετρακόσιοι ἄνδρες LXE 1 Samuel 22:2 And there gathered to him every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was troubled in mind; and he was a leader over them, and there were with him about four hundred men. KJV 1 Samuel 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. NET 1 Samuel 22:2 All those who were in trouble or owed someone money or were discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. He had about four hundred men with him. CSB 1 Samuel 22:2 In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About 400 men were with him. ESV 1 Samuel 22:2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. NIV 1 Samuel 22:2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. NLT 1 Samuel 22:2 Then others began coming-- men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented-- until David was the captain of about 400 men. NRS 1 Samuel 22:2 Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Those who were with him numbered about four hundred. NJB 1 Samuel 22:2 All those in distress, all those in debt, all those who had a grievance, gathered round him and he became their leader. There were about four hundred men with him. NAB 1 Samuel 22:2 He was joined by all those who were in difficulties or in debt, or who were embittered, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. YLT 1 Samuel 22:2 and gather themselves unto him do every man in distress, and every man who hath an exactor, and every man bitter in soul, and he is over them for head, and there are with him about four hundred men. GWN 1 Samuel 22:2 Then everyone who was in trouble, in debt, or bitter about life joined him, and he became their commander. There were about four hundred men with him. RSV 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one who was in distress, and every one who was in debt, and every one who was discontented, gathered to him; and he became captain over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. NKJ 1 Samuel 22:2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. ASV 1 Samuel 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 captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. DBY 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one of embittered spirit collected round him; and he became a captain over them; and there were with him about four hundred men. BBE 1 Samuel 22:2 And everyone who was in trouble, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, came together to him, and he became captain over them: about four hundred men were joined to him. BHT 1 Samuel 22:2 wayyi|tqaBBücû ´ëläyw Kol-´îš mäcôq wükol-´îš ´ášer-lô nöše´ wükol-´îš mar-neºpeš wayühî `álêhem lüSär wayyihyû `immô Kü´arBa` më´ôt ´îš NIRV 1 Samuel 22:2 Everyone who was in trouble or owed money or was unhappy gathered around him. He became their leader. About 400 men were with him. RWB 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, resorted to him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. WEB 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one {that was} in distress, and every one that {was} in debt, and every one {that was} discontented, resorted to him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. NAS 1 Samuel 22:2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him. distress: Jdg 11:3 Mt 11:12,28 was in debt: Heb. had a creditor, Mt 18:25-34 discontented: Heb. bitter of soul, 1Sa 1:10 30:6 Jdg 18:25 2Sa 17:8 Pr 31:6 *margins a captain: 1Sa 9:16 25:15,16 30:22-24 2Sa 5:2 2Ki 20:5 1Ch 11:15-19 Ps 72:12-14 Mt 9:12,13 Heb 2:10 1 Samuel 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries David Leader/Teacher of a Motley Crew THE 3 "D'S" DESCEND ON DAVID! (MOTLEY CREW > MIGHTY MEN) Everyone who was in distress (matsoq; Lxx = anagke - state of distress or trouble, calamity, pressure), and everyone who was in debt (Lit = had a creditor), and everyone who was discontented (mar + nephesh = bitter of soul) gathered to him; and he became captain (sar = leader; Lxx = hegeomai = leader = making a decision after weighing the facts or circumstances) over them - David became captain over a band of men united by the fact that in some way they all had experienced adversity. He was a leader, which describes one who rules, guides, or inspires others! David fulfilled all these functions. In Psalm 34:11 David writes "Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." Surely that is part of the crash course cave curriculum of the 300 "hardluck hooligans" (Swindoll)! THOUGHT - I love this list of David's motley (incongruously varied in appearance or character) crew! If you can't find yourself somewhere in this triad of terms (at least some of the times in your life), then you must be glorified (in Heaven)! Most of us, if we are honest, can identify with one or more of this group (yes, they were men, but they were representative of women also, and so they apply to both sexes). Motley yes, but leaderless no! They had a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22+) who molded motley men into mighty men of David. We too have a leader, the greater David, the Son of David, Who seeks to mold us (transform us) into mighty men and women of Christ Jesus! Let us take heart and be encouraged for we are HIS workmanship (Ep 2:10+, see "Poiema - His Masterpiece), "works of the Master's hand" in progress (Play Wayne Watson's "The Touch of the Master's Hand"). May we all seek to be mind malleable, soul supple, heart tender, and spirit humble, so that His Spirit and Word might continually transform us from glory to glory into His image (2Co 3:18+). Wherever you are in this process of progressive sanctification, we can be confident and fully assured of God's promise "that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Amen and Amen. (Php 1:6+). God gives special attention to cries when they come out of caves -- Chuck Swindoll Anderson - It was DISTRESS that drove the Prodigal Son home to his father. It is when we are in distress that we cry out to God and are driven to the side of our Lord. The second group were those who were in DEBT. God's laws show us our sin and how bankrupt we are to meet God's judgment. The third type of man who came to David was DISCONTENTED. Maybe this means they were embittered, disappointed, frustrated, restless. How many people are discontented today? They came to David because they believed David was God's anointed king and had a right to rule over them. They were converted from Saul to David. They also decided for him with action. It is one thing to believe in the coming kingdom of Christ; it's another to take your stand for him and to identify yourself with him. He became their leader, and they yielded to him in all things. They stood with him in exile and suffering so that one day they might share with him the kingdom. They looked to David for training