1 Samuel 22 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Samuel 22 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Israel’s first king, Saul, was appointed in approximately 1050 B.C.

• The events documented in 1 Samuel 22 took place between approximately 1015-1010 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• David – He was selected by God to eventually become the second king of Israel.

• Ahimelech – A priest who served God at the Tabernacle in Nob.

• Saul – God selected Saul to be the first king of Israel. He was from the tribe of Benjamin.

• Doeg – An Edomite. He was Saul’s chief herdsman.

WHERE:

• David and his men lived at the cave of Adullam.

• David took his parents to Moab to keep them safe.

• After living in a stronghold for a while, David returned to Judah, to the forest of Hereth.

• Saul lived in Gibeah.

• The town of Nob is thought to have been located just northeast of Jerusalem, perhaps within eyesight.

OUTLINE:

• DAVID’S COMPANY GROWS TO 400 (22:1-5):

  • David left Gath and went to the cave of Adullam.

  • While at the cave, a band of men gathered around David, and he became their commander.

  • “Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him” (22:2).

  • David took his father and mother to Moab, presumably to keep them safe from Saul.

  • David and his men live in a stronghold until the prophet Gad told him to return to Judah.

• SAUL MURDERS GOD’S PRIESTS AND DESTROYS NOB (22:6-23):

  • Saul and his men were at Gibeah, amongst them was Doeg, the Edomite (21:7).

  • Doeg reported how Ahimelech had helped David by giving him bread and the sword of Goliath.

  • Saul summoned Ahimelech and all the priests at Nob.

  • Saul accused Ahimelech of conspiring against him with David.

  • Ahimelech denied any wrongdoing. He was under the impression that David was Saul’s most faithful servant. He didn’t know Saul hated David.

  • Saul didn’t listen to Ahimelech. In his anger he commanded his guard to kill all the priests of the Lord.

  • But Saul’s servants refused to attack God’s priests.

  • So the foreigner, Doeg, struck them, killing a total of 85 priests.

  • The city of Nob was also destroyed, all the men, women, children, and animals.

  • One of Ahimelech’s sons, Abiathar, managed to escape and found refuge with David.

APPLICATION:

• The Bible doesn’t support the principle of Karma (I’m referring to Karma as it’s popularly defined and understood.).

• Good is not always returned for good, and evil is not always returned for evil.

• Ahimelech did a good thing by helping David, but he was rewarded with a death sentence.

• The idea of Karma has gained a lot of popularity in recent decades, and it’s managed to influence some Christian circles.

• God will reward those who do good, but He doesn’t promise us that the good we do for others will be returned to us in this life.

• Jesus was good to everyone, but not everyone was good to Him.