**The Life & Times of King David | Dr. Randy White
1 SAMUEL 22:1-5: From Fugitive to Leader: David's Ascent at Adullam****
David’s Escape to Adullam (Verse 1)
The Unique Grammar
1 Samuel 22:1 in the King James Version (KJV) shows the "waw-consecutive" in Biblical Hebrew. Hebrew's "perfect" and "imperfect" verb forms represent completed and ongoing actions. But the imperfect form, preceded by "waw" (translated as "and"), narrates completed events as if they're current. This is evident in 1 Samuel 22:1's "goeth" and "is escaped," reflecting the Hebrew imperfect verbs with "waw." The KJV maintains this structure for a literal translation, resulting in an archaic feel but preserving the original tense.The Location
David escaped to "the cave of Adullam," thought to be in the Shephelah area, near Philistine territory. Today's "Bell Caves" in the region show the possible environment he faced. Psalm 142, written by David "in the cave," provides insight into his feelings of despair, loneliness, and ultimately, hope during this time.
Family Reunion
At the cave, "his family hears and arrives." It's unclear if this was intentional or not and if David was pleased or regretful about their arrival, given his rocky past with them.
Gathering of the Discontented (Verse 2)
In the cave of Adullam, David transforms from a fugitive to a beacon for those struggling under Saul's rule. 1 Samuel 22:2 categorizes these individuals into:
Those in Distress: Likely victims of Saul's unstable rule, they see David as a potential deliverer who understands their sufferings.
Those in Debt: Facing economic hardship due to Saul’s policies, they hope David can alleviate their burdens.
Those Discontented: Dissatisfied with Saul's leadership, they see in David a true king who would rule with justice, integrity, and in accordance with God’s will.
The Formation of a Loyal Band
Remarkably, about four hundred men gather around David. This significant number indicates that David’s appeal and influence extend far beyond his immediate family or personal acquaintances. These men, in their collective diversity of struggles, recognize David's leadership and anointing.
David Assumes Leadership
David implicitly becomes a leader for these men, providing not just military leadership but also moral and spiritual guidance. This gathering at Adullam foreshadows David's future kingship as a refuge for the downtrodden and a voice for the voiceless. His strength lies in his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, indicative of the empathetic king he will become.
A Repeated Pattern
The Bible often shows us how those in distress or debt, turn into a loyal group, a scenario that recurs throughout history. From the Israelites under Moses to early Christian communities, we see how those in hardship seek change through collective action. This pattern highlights the enduring human resilience and hope, and the transformative power of compassionate leadership, as exemplified by figures like David.
David’s Provision for His Parents (Verses 3-4)
David moves to Moab, a safer location with no current conflicts. He requests the King of Moab to shelter his parents until he discerns God's plan, reflecting some uncertainty about his future, despite being anointed king. David's parents remain in Moab while he stays in "the fortress," possibly the cave of Adullam.
This is the last mention of David's parents. In non-biblical texts, Rashi, a medieval scholar, suggests the Moabite king killed David's family when David left for the forest of Hereth. He posits one brother survived, saved by Nahash, the Ammonite king, linking this to a later event in 2 Samuel 10:2, where David refers to a kindness shown to him.
Divine Direction through the Prophet Gad (Verse 5)
Introducing Gad
Gad the prophet, a biblical figure, appears in the Hebrew Bible, mainly in Samuel. Key insights include:
David's Advisor: Gad advised David to leave the stronghold for Judah (1 Samuel 22:5), implying his role as a counselor during David's flight from King Saul.
David's Historiographer: Gad documented David's reign, contributing to Israel's history (1 Chronicles 29:29).
Gad's Writings: Mentioned in the Bible, but not part of the canon, and are unknown today. They may have aided the creation of Samuel or Chronicles.
Later Appearances: In 2 Samuel 24, Gad offers David three retribution options for displeasing God with a census. David chooses a plague, which Gad announces.
Gad’s Directive
Prophet Gad tells David to leave his stronghold and move to Judah. David does, settling in the forest of Hareth, whose exact location in Judah is uncertain. Gad's advice may have helped David evade King Saul or positioned him as a future leader. This move could have been strategic for his safety or his eventual claim to the throne.
Conclusion
1 Samuel 22:1-5 marks David's shift from fugitive to leader. The cave of Adullam draws those dissatisfied with Saul's reign, and David's influence attracts four hundred men. On prophet Gad's advice, David moves to Hareth forest, aligning with his future kingdom and challenging Saul's reign, setting the stage for his eventual kingship.
