4 Then he left them with the king of Moab ; and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold . 5 The prophet Gad said to David , "Do not stay in the stronghold ; depart , and go into the land of Judah ." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth .
6 Then Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered . Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah , under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand , and all his servants were standing around him. 7 Saul said to his servants who stood around him, "Hear now , O Benjamites ! Will the son of Jesse also give to all of you fields and vineyards ? Will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds ? 8 "For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse , and there is none of you who is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush , as it is this day ." 9 Then Doeg the Edomite , who was standing by the servants of Saul , said , " I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob , to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub . 10 " He inquired of the Lord for him, gave him provisions , and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine ." 11 Then the king sent someone to summon Ahimelech the priest , the son of Ahitub , and all his father's household , the priests who were in Nob ; and all of them came to the king .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 22:4-11
Commentary on 1 Samuel 22:1-5
(Read 1 Samuel 22:1-5)
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.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 22:6-19
(Read 1 Samuel 22:6-19)
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.