1 Samuel Chapter 22 Summary - Key Points & Themes

Read 1 Samuel Chapter 22 Summary

David escapes to the cave of Adullam where four hundred men in distress, debt, or discontent gather around him; he takes his parents to Moab for safety, then at Gad's word returns to Judah at the forest of Hereth. Saul, hearing David is found, berates his Benjaminite servants for disloyalty; Doeg reports seeing David at Nob with Ahimelech. Saul summons Ahimelech and all the priests; despite the priest's defense, Saul commands their execution. When his servants refuse to strike the LORD's priests, Doeg kills eighty-five priests and puts Nob to the sword—men, women, children, infants, and livestock. Only Abiathar escapes to David, who grieves that he has occasioned his father's house's death.

Original

Characters in This Chapter

Samuel

Last judge and prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings

Saul

First king of Israel, whose disobedience led to his rejection by God

David

Shepherd boy anointed as future king, man after God's own heart

Jonathan

Saul's son who became David's closest friend despite the rivalry

Hannah

Samuel's mother who prayed for a son and dedicated him to God

Judah

Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ

Goliath

Philistine Giant Champion

Places in This Chapter

Shiloh

Location of the tabernacle where Hannah prayed and Samuel ministered

Gilgal

Site where Saul was confirmed king and later disobeyed God's command

Gibeah

Saul's hometown and capital during his reign

Bethlehem

David's hometown where Samuel anointed him king

Moab

Moab was a region east of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the descendants of Lot's son Moab. Ruth was a Moabite who famously left her homeland to follow Naomi to Bethlehem. Israel often had conflict with Moab, though King David entrusted his parents to the king of Moab for protection.

Ramah

Ramah (also Ramathaim-zophim) was the hometown of Samuel the prophet. He lived here, judged Israel from here, and was buried here. It was a center for the prophets and the school of prophets. Saul first met Samuel here when searching for his father's donkeys.

Position in Book

Samuel's MinistryChapters 1-7

Saul's ReignChapters 8-15

David's RiseChapters 16-31

David anointed, defeats Goliath, friendship with Jonathan, flees from Saul, Saul's death in battle.