Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
1 Samuel
Book: 1 Samuel
Chapter: 22
Overview:
David at
Adullam, Many resort to him.
(1-5) Saul destroys the
priests of
Nob.
(6-19) Abiathar escapes to
David.
(20-23)
1-5 See what weak instruments
God sometimes uses, to bring
about his own purposes. The Son of
David is ready to receive
distressed souls, who will be commanded
By him. He receives all
who come unto Him, however vile and miserable; he changes them
into a holy people, and employs them in his service: those who
would reign with him must be contented first to suffer with and
for him. Observe with what tender concern
David provided for his
aged parents. The first thing he does is to find them a quiet
Habitation, whatever became of himself. Let children learn to
honour their parents, in every thing consulting their ease and
satisfaction. Though highly preferred, and much employed, let
them not forget their aged parents. The steps of a good
Man are
ordered
By the
Lord. And the
Lord will preserve his people for
their appointed work, however they may be hated and exposed.
6-19 See the nature of jealous malice and its pitiful arts.
Saul looks upon all about him as his enemies, because they do
not just say as he says. In
Ahimelech's answer to
Saul we have
the language of conscious innocence. But what wickedness will
not the evil
Spirit hurry men to when he gets the dominion!
Saul
alleges that which was utterly false and unproved. But the most
bloody tyrants have found instruments of their cruelty as
barbarous as themselves.
Doeg, having murdered the priests, went
to the
City,
Nob, and
Put all to the
Sword there. Nothing
So
vile but those may do it, who have provoked
God to give them up
to their hearts' lusts. Yet this was the accomplishment of the
threatenings against the
House of
Eli. Though
Saul was
unrighteous in doing this, yet
God was righteous in permitting
it.
No Word of God shall fall to the ground.
20-23 David greatly lamented the calamity. It is great trouble
to a good
Man to find himself any way the cause of evil to
others. He must have been much pained, when he considered that
his falsehood was one cause of this fatal event.
David speaks
with
Assurance of his own safety, and promises that
Abiathar
should have his protection. With the Son of
David, all who are
his may be sure they shall be in safeguard, Ps 91:1. In the
hurry and distraction
David was continually in, he found time
for
Communion with
God, and found comfort in it.