1 Samuel 22:21

1 Samuel 22:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the Lord’s priests.
• New International Version (NIV)He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the Lord’s priests.

Context of 1 Samuel 22:21

19He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword — both men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. 20However, one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David. Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day and that he was sure to report to Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s family. 23Stay with me. Don’t be afraid, for the one who wants to take my life wants to take your life. You will be safe with me.”

1 Samuel 22:21 word by word

וַיַּגֵּ֥ד אֶבְיָתָ֖ר לְדָוִ֑ד כִּ֚י הָרַ֣ג שָׁא֔וּל אֵ֖ת כֹּהֲנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Abiatharאֶבְיָתָר'ebyâthâr · AbiatharH54
• shewedנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• that Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• had slainהָרַגhârag · to killH2026
• the Lord’sיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• priestsכֹּהֵןkôhên · priestH3548

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 22:21

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-23Verses 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, Psa 91:1. In the hurry and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-23Saul’s character is clear here. He could not take revenge on David himself. Instead, Saul killed those he believed had helped David.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2320-23. one of the sons of Ahimelech ... escaped--This was Abiathar, who repaired to David in the forest of Hareth, rescuing, with his own life, the high priest's vestments (1Sa 23:6, 9). On hearing his sad tale, David declared that he had dreaded such a fatal result from the malice and intriguing ambition of Doeg; and, accusing himself as having been the occasion of all the disaster to Abiathar's family, David invited him to remain, because, firmly…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 22:21

• Abiathar
• Ahimelech

In the dictionaries

• Abiathar
• David
• Saul
• Paul, Saul
• Ahimelech
• Jesse
• Nob
• Priest, High
• Samuel, Books of

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings