1 Samuel 22:4

1Sa 22:4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.

Ver. 4. And he brought them before the king of Moab.] To whom Jesse, a grave godly man, might haply be as useful and as dear as Solon was to Croesus, or Croesus afterwards to King Cyrus; by whose good counsel he was more enriched and benefited than by all his wealth.

That David was in the hold.] In the cave of Adullam, or, as others think, in Mizpeh of Moab. See 1Sa 22:3.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Sa 22:4. All the while David was in the hold — In holds; the singular number being put for the plural, as is frequent; that is, as long as David was forced to go from place to place, and from hold to hold, to secure himself; for it concerned David especially to secure his father, and he did doubtless secure him for all that time; and not only while he was in the hold of Mizpeh, or of Adullam, which was but a little while.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That is, in Mizpah, which was a stronghold.

For he feared the rage of Saul against his house.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(4) While that David was in the hold.—This “hold” is, of course, identical with the “hold” of 1Sa_22:5, from which Gad the prophet directs David to depart, and to return into the land of Judah. It was, most likely, in the Land of Moab.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

4. in the hold] “Hold” = stronghold or fortress: here apparently the Mizpeh of 1Sa_22:3. What became of David’s parents when he quitted the hold does not appear. A Jewish tradition affirms that the king of Moab betrayed his trust and murdered them, for which David exacted a heavy vengeance when he came to the throne (2Sa_8:2).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he brought them before the king of Moab,.... Having leave from him for it, and left them with him; so the Targum,"caused them to remain before him:"

and they dwelt with him all the whole time that David was in the hold; either in the cave of Adullam, as some think; or rather at Mizpeh in Moab, which might be a fortified place; or the sense may be, while he was in any hold in those parts, as he might go from one to another; what became of David's parents afterwards, we nowhere else read. The Jews (z) say the king of Moab slew his father and his mother, and his brethren, all but one, whom Nahash the Ammonite preserved; and is the kindness David speaks of, Sa2 10:2; and if this was the case, now it was that his father and mother forsook him, and God took him up, Psa 27:10.

(z) Bemnidbar Rabba, sect. 14. fol. 212. 1. Tanchuma apud Jarchium in loc.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

He brought them before ... - The Septuagint renders it “he persuaded (the face of) the king.”

In the hold - Where David was after he left the cave of Adullam, probably in the land of Moab.

The phrase “all the while,” would indicate that David sojourned a considerable time in Moab.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The hold. The strong hold, or fortress of Maspha. (Challoner) --- It signifies "a watch-tower." (Haydock) --- In this place the parents of David probably finished their days, as we find no farther mention of them. (Salien)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Before the king of Moab; into his presence, that he might see them, and give them leave to dwell in his dominion.

In the hold; either,

1. In Mizpeh of Moab, which was a very strong hold. But it is apparent he speaks of some hold where his father and mother were exposed to fear and danger from Saul, which they were not in the king of Moab’s royal city. Or,

2. In the cave of Adullam, mentioned above, 1Sa 22:1. Or,

3. In holes; the singular number being put for the plural, as is frequent; i.e. as long as David was forced to go from place to place, and from hold to hold, to secure himself; for it concerned David to secure his father, and he did doubtless secure him for all that time; and not only whilst he was in the hold of Mizpeh, or of Adullam, which was but a little while.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

4. The hold — מצודה, a stronghold, a fortress, or citadel. The reference is to some fortified place at Mizpeh, where David and his company abode during their stay in the land of Moab. See note on next verse. This is the last we hear of David’s father and mother; but an old Jewish tradition has it, that after David returned to the land of Judah his parents and brothers were put to death by the king of Moab.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Ver. 4. (MOAB.)

Awaiting the future.

I know what God will do to me." There are times when our thoughts naturally turn toward the future: the commencement of a fresh enterprise or a new season, suspense in sickness, the approach of critical events, especially when they lie beyond our control or even our probable conjecture. At such times this is the appropriate language of a good man. He awaits it in

I UNCERTAINTY about the events of the future new positions, opportunities, advantages, trials, duties. "We know not with what we must serve the Lord until we come thither". (Exo_10:26) "Ye have not passed this way heretofore", (Jos_3:4) and cannot tell what may befall you therein. "Shadows, clouds, and darkness rest upon it." But the good man is not distracted by curiosity or anxiety, inasmuch as

1. Neither is of any avail.

2. The Father has reserved the times and the seasons "in his own power". (Act_1:7)

3. And he has done so wisely and for our good. "The veil that hides the future is woven by the hand of mercy.

II CONFIDENCE in the care of God. "My times are in thy hand". (Psa_31:15) "I will cry unto God that performeth all things for me". (Psa_57:2) Such confidence respects

1. His perfect knowledge, almighty power, and supreme control of all things, including the thoughts and purposes of men. (1Sa_19:23)

2. His individual observation.

3. His beneficent operation. "Being well assured of the justice of his cause as contrasted with the insane persecutions of Saul, David confidently hoped that God would bring his flight to an end" (Keil).

O Lord, how happy should we be, If we could cast our care on thee, If we from self could rest, And feel at heart that One above, In perfect wisdom, perfect love, Is working for the best". (Keble)

III READINESS for whatever may take place.

1. By watchful attention to every indication of the will of God, looking out for it as a watchman for the dawn of the morning. "I will stand upon my watch," etc.. (Hab_2:1)

2. By cherishing a spirit of humble submissiveness to what he may think fit to do and fixed determination to do what he may require.

3. By faithful fulfilment of the plain and immediate duty of the present time. "Let my father and mother come forth" (from the hold in Mizpeh)

be with you, till," etc. Its performance is the best preparation for the events and duties of the future. D.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Hold - In holds; the singular number being put for the plural; as is frequent; that is, as long as David was forced to go from place to place, and from hold to hold, to secure himself: for it concerned David to secure his father, and he did doubtless secure him for all that time; and not only while he was in the hold of Mizpeh, or of Adullam, which was but a little while.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

And they remained with him all the time that Dovid was in the fortress. Near Moav, and when Dovid left from there to the forest of Cheres, the king of Moav killed his father, mother, and brothers, except for one of them, whom Nochosh the Ammonite raised. This is the kindness which Dovid [referred to when he] said, "as his father did kindness with me," as it is stated in the Midrash of R. Tanchuma.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.