Cornelius a Lapide
Table of Contents
Synopsis of the Chapter
David flees to the cave of Adullam; then, at verse 5, warned by Gad the prophet, he returns to the land of Judah. Saul hears of this and incites his men to pursue David and to betray and deliver him. Then, at verse 9, Doeg accuses Ahimelech the High Priest of having given David bread and the sword of Goliath. Therefore, at verse 18, Doeg, by Saul's command, kills him along with 85 companions.
Vulgate Text: 1 Kings 22:1-23
1. David therefore departed from there and fled to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and all his father's house heard of it, they came down to him there. 2. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter of soul, gathered to him; and he became their leader. There were about four hundred men with him. 3. And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab, and said to the king of Moab: Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you, until I know what God will do for me. 4. And he left them before the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the days that David was in the stronghold. 5. And Gad the prophet said to David: Do not remain in the stronghold; depart and go to the land of Judah. So David departed and came to the forest of Hereth. 6. And Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was staying in Gibeah, in the grove in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him. 7. And he said to his servants who stood about him: Hear now, sons of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards, and make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8. For you have all conspired against me, and there is no one who reveals to me -- especially when my son has made a covenant with the son of Jesse. There is no one among you who is sorry for me, or who reveals to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day. 9. Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood among the servants of Saul, and was chief among them, answered and said: I saw the son of Jesse going to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, the priest. 10. He inquired of the Lord for him, and gave him provisions, and also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. 11. So the king sent to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob; and they all came to the king. 12. And Saul said to Ahimelech: Hear now, son of Ahitub. And he answered: Here I am, my lord. 13. And Saul said to him: Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 14. And Ahimelech answered the king, and said: And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and goes at your bidding, and is honored in your house? 15. Did I begin today to inquire of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king suspect anything against his servant, nor against all the house of my father; for your servant knew nothing of all this, either small or great. 16. And the king said: You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house. 17. And the king said to his guards who stood about him: Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, for their hand is with David; they knew that he fled, and did not tell me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. 18. And the king said to Doeg: You turn and strike the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19. And Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword -- men and women, children and infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep, with the edge of the sword. 20. But one son of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to David. 21. And he told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22. And David said to Abiathar: I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would certainly tell Saul. I am responsible for all the lives of your father's house. 23. Stay with me; do not fear. For whoever seeks my life seeks your life also, and with me you shall be safe.
Verse 1: The Cave of Adullam
1. DAVID THEREFORE DEPARTED FROM THERE AND FLED TO THE CAVE OF ADULLAM. -- "Adullam" was a village in the tribe of Judah, to the right as one goes from Jerusalem to Hebron. Hear from St. Jerome, William of Tyre, and others what Adrichomius says about the tribe of Judah, number 201: "The cave of Adullam, in the very rock, was a place naturally safe and fortified. When David fled there from the face of Saul, and there received many who were oppressed by distress and debt and came to him as refugees, he became the leader of four hundred men. This cave served the same purpose in the time of the Christians: for when the Turks came marauding to those places, the inhabitants of the neighboring areas had fled and gathered themselves there with their wives, children, herds, and flocks."
Hence fittingly "Odollam," or as it is in Hebrew, Adullam, means "congregation, passage, or their plunder," says Pagninus in his Hebrew Names.
Symbolically, Angelomus and Eucherius say: This cave represents the flesh of Christ, in which, as in a cave, the divinity of Christ lay hidden; or the sepulcher of Christ, which was a testimony (for this is what Odollam means in Hebrew, says Bede) that Christ was God, since He Himself on the third day raised His body from it, alive and glorious.
Verse 2: Those in Distress Gather to David
2. AND ALL WHO WERE IN DISTRESS, AND ALL WHO WERE IN DEBT, GATHERED TO HIM. -- You will ask: How did David admit them to the prejudice of their creditors, so that these could not compel them to pay their debts? Cajetan answers that they had yielded their goods, or were unable to pay: hence their very inability excused them from paying until they should attain better fortune, which was to come about through their association with and the prudence of David, who enriched all his followers with the spoils of enemies, as is clear from 2 Samuel chapters 2 and 15.
For that David instructed all who came to him most excellently in all justice and righteousness is clear from Psalm 33, which he composed at that time. For this psalm literally contains the teaching that David there gave to his companions and soldiers; hence addressing them at verse 12, he says: "Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." This is also clear from the fact that David had with him Gad, a prophet and holy man.
Allegorically, David was a type of Christ, to whom all the sick, the afflicted, and the penitent came for refuge; whence He Himself, calling them, says: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest," Matthew chapter 11. So says Angelomus.
Verse 3: Mizpah of Moab
3. AND DAVID WENT TO MIZPAH OF MOAB -- that is, which is a city of the region of Moab, belonging to the Moabites, not to the Jews. For David fled from Judea, being subject to Saul, to the land of Moab, over which Saul had no power. Moreover, there was another "Mizpah" in Judea, where Samuel held a gathering of the people, chapter 7, verse 6.
PLEASE LET MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER STAY WITH YOU. -- From this gather that Saul persecuted not only David, but also his parents and relatives; or at least that they, fearing Saul's persecution, had fled beyond Judea into Moab.
Verse 4: The Stronghold
4. ALL THE DAYS THAT DAVID WAS IN THE STRONGHOLD -- that is, in the fortress or fortified place of the land of Moab. For this is what the Hebrew metsuda means.
Verse 5: Gad the Prophet
5. AND GAD THE PROPHET SAID, ETC.: GO TO THE LAND OF JUDAH -- because David's stay in Judah was useful to many and brought David great authority, so that he would immediately be promoted to the kingdom by the tribe of Judah, as we shall hear actually happened in the following book. So says Cajetan.
AND HE CAME TO THE FOREST OF HERETH -- which was a deserted place, pathless and uncultivated, bristling with nothing but thorns and brambles. "Nevertheless," says Rabbi Solomon, "by divine power the same place became abundant in fruits and animals, and watered with springs, so that it not only sustained David and his men, but also wonderfully refreshed them." Alluding to this, David says: "The Lord rules me" -- or as it is in the Hebrew, "pastures me"; "in a place of pasture there He has placed me; beside the water of refreshment He has brought me up," Psalm 22:1, where you see that arid and thorny paths are transformed for those who love into flowering and pleasant ones.
Verse 7: Sons of Benjamin
7. HEAR NOW, SONS OF BENJAMIN -- that is, sons of Benjamin, my fellow-tribesmen and kinsmen, come, fight for me as well as for yourselves, lest the kingdom be transferred from me and your tribe to the tribe of Judah and to David.
Verse 10: Doeg's Accusation
10. HE INQUIRED OF THE LORD FOR HIM -- through the Ephod in which were the Urim and Thummim, about which I spoke on Exodus chapter 28, verse 30. From this it is clear that Ahimelech had asked for and received from God an oracle on David's behalf, indicating which way he should go, what he should do, and what the outcome of his affairs would be -- favorable or adverse -- although Hugo thinks Doeg was making this up and lying to stir up greater anger in Saul against David and Ahimelech, for he had not actually consulted God on David's behalf.
Moral Reflection: David's Persecutions
Morally: Note here the various, continuous, and fierce persecutions, wanderings, flights, and dangers by which David was constantly harassed by Saul for ten years -- and this on account of his virtue by which he had killed Goliath and liberated Israel. For first, Saul twice tried to pin David with his spear while he was playing the harp and thereby freeing Saul from the evil spirit, chapter 18, verse 11; chapter 19, verse 10; second, he sent him against the Philistines so that he might be killed by them, at the same place, verses 17 and 25; third, he sent servants to capture David at his house for execution, but Michal let him down through a window, chapter 19, verse 11; fourth, David fled to Samuel at Ramah, the same chapter, verse 18; fifth, chapter 20, he went to Jonathan, who tried to reconcile him with Saul, but in vain; sixth, he fled to Nob to Ahimelech the High Priest, chapter 21, verse 2; seventh, from Nob he fled to Gath to King Achish, the same chapter, verse 10; eighth, he hid in the cave of Adullam, chapter 22, verse 1; ninth, from there he withdrew to Mizpah, a city of Moab, the same chapter, verse 3; tenth, from there he passed to the forest of Hereth, the same chapter, verse 5; eleventh, he went to Keilah and delivered it from the Philistines, chapter 23, verse 1; twelfth, he hid in the hill of Ziph, the hill of Hachilah, and the wilderness of Maon, chapter 23, verses 19 and 24; thirteenth, he hid in the wilderness of En-gedi, chapter 24, verse 1, where he cut off the hem of Saul's robe, leaving him unharmed; fourteenth, he hid in the wilderness of Ziph, where he took the spear and water jug from Saul while he slept, leaving him untouched, chapter 26, verse 2; fifteenth, he fled to Achish king of Gath, chapter 27, verse 2. These are all the wanderings and flights of David, which I have arranged in order.
But all these David endured and overcame with his unconquered patience and magnanimity; and therefore from each one he emerged stronger and more glorious; and so through all of them, as through so many steps, he ascended to the summit of glory and the kingdom.
Allegorically, therefore, David represented Christ, who, while preaching and freeing people from diseases of soul and body, endured with unconquered constancy and benevolence the continual persecutions, contradictions, insults, and blasphemies of the Scribes, Pharisees, and High Priests, even to death on the Cross; and therefore He won and obtained glory and an eternal kingdom in heaven, not only for Himself, but also for all His faithful and His saints.
Tropologically, let the Christian imitate Christ and David, and persuade himself that he must walk the same way, namely that of persecution and the cross, if he wishes to attain the summit of sanctity, glory, and eternal happiness. For it is ordained by the eternal law of God: "All who wish to live piously in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution," 2 Timothy chapter 3, verse 12.
If therefore you suffer on account of faith, piety, and virtue, think of yourself as David, and with him do not let your spirits sink but raise them up, knowing that your Saul, your persecutor, is fashioning for you a crown of glory and a diadem of eternal kingship. If you are an Abel in innocence, envious Cain must prove and exercise that innocence. If you are a Jacob in simplicity, hairy Esau must spur you on. If you are a Joseph in chastity, an impudent mistress must tempt you. If you are a Moses in meekness and nobility, your Pharaoh must harass, exalt, and perfect you.
Verse 15: Ahimelech's Defense
15. DID I BEGIN TODAY TO INQUIRE OF GOD FOR HIM? -- As if to say: I have often before, with your consent and at your command, consulted the Lord for him -- namely, when David was about to lead your troops into battle, whether the outcome would be favorable or adverse. I did not therefore begin just now for the first time to consult the Lord for David, who is now suspect and hateful to you, as I gather from your words, as if to say: I did not know that you bore anger and hatred against David, who a little while ago was so much your friend and faithful servant. Therefore do not impute it as fault and punishment to me and my house that I gave him bread and a sword; for I gave those things to him only so that he might use them in your service (which he himself claimed he was carrying out). For of your offense against him I have hitherto known absolutely nothing, neither small nor great.
Verse 16: Saul's Cruel Decree
16. AND THE KING SAID: YOU SHALL SURELY DIE, AHIMELECH, YOU AND ALL YOUR FATHER'S HOUSE. -- See here the supreme cruelty, impiety, and barbarity of Saul against the innocent high priest and priests; indeed, against all the citizens of Nob, whom he ordered to be slaughtered -- innocent as they were -- together with all their children, women, and livestock, verse 19. This slaughter of Saul's, say Theodoret (Question 53) and Cedrenus, was more impious than all his other sins. Hence Josephus, Book 6, last chapter, also counts this among the causes of Saul's death.
Therefore Saul was here a type and precursor of Herod, who killed the infants in Bethlehem because of Christ. Here was fulfilled the oracle of God pronounced against Eli, chapter 2, verse 33. For all these priests were descendants or relatives of Eli.
Verse 17: The Servants Refuse
17. AND THE KING SAID TO HIS GUARDS -- that is, to his couriers, who as Saul's officers had summoned and brought Ahimelech and the priests from Nob to Saul at Gibeah.
FOR THEIR HAND IS WITH DAVID -- as if to say: They support and aid David, my enemy and rival for the kingdom.
BUT THE SERVANTS WOULD NOT. -- These servants are to be praised for refusing to obey Saul and defile their hands with the blood of priests. So says Theodoret. St. Chrysostom, however, on Psalm 124, reproaches them for not positively and effectively pleading the priests' cause before Saul so as to prevent their slaughter.
Verse 18: Doeg Slays the Priests
18. AND DOEG TURNED (Doeg in Hebrew means "one who solicits" -- namely, soliciting Saul toward the slaughter of David and the priests) THE EDOMITE, AND HE FELL UPON THE PRIESTS, AND KILLED THAT DAY EIGHTY-FIVE MEN WHO WORE THE LINEN EPHOD -- that is, priests and Levites; for these wore the linen ephod, while the High Priest wore the jeweled and embroidered ephod.
Behold how Doeg, the accuser and calumniator of David and Ahimelech, progressed in crime and became their sacrilegious executioner and that of the priests, in order to complete the crime he had begun. So the wicked man slips from one crime to another, from a lesser to a greater.
Hence Doeg, say Eucherius and Angelomus, was a type and precursor both of Judas the traitor and of the Antichrist, who will persecute the priests of Christ most severely and put them to martyrdom.
More truly, Eli and his sinful sons were punished in these their innocent descendants, and here was fulfilled that oracle of God against them, chapter 2, verse 33: "A great part of your house shall die when they have reached manhood." For these priests and Levites, killed by Saul through Doeg, seem to have become martyrs, because they were killed for the virtue of mercy and charity that they had shown to the holy but wretched, fugitive, and starving David, by giving him bread. For just as one who is killed for chastity becomes a martyr, so also one who is slain for charity and other virtues is a martyr. Hence St. Bachiarius lists these priests killed for the innocent David in the catalog of martyrs; and Bede in his Allegories places among the martyrs not only the priests, but also all the citizens of Nob slaughtered on account of David: "The city of Nob," he says, "suffered martyrdom with all its people for having received David."
Verse 19: Nob Destroyed
19. AND HE STRUCK NOB, THE CITY OF THE PRIESTS, WITH THE EDGE OF THE SWORD -- MEN AND WOMEN, AND CHILDREN AND INFANTS, AND OXEN AND DONKEYS AND SHEEP. He therefore placed it under the ban, or anathema, because he utterly devoted it to destruction and ruin -- driven by rage and fury against David, by which the evil spirit, that is, the devil, by whom he was possessed and governed, drove him.
Verse 20: Abiathar Escapes
20. BUT ONE SON OF AHIMELECH, ETC., WHOSE NAME WAS ABIATHAR, ESCAPED AND FLED TO DAVID. -- This "Abiathar" succeeded his father Ahimelech in the pontificate, which he held for the entire time of David; but he was deprived of it by Solomon because he had supported Adonijah in his attempt to seize the kingdom. Therefore Solomon transferred the pontificate from Abiathar, who was of the family and descendants of Eli and Ithamar, and restored it to Zadok, who was of the descendants of Eleazar, 3 Kings chapter 2.
Verse 22: David's Responsibility
22. I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE LIVES OF YOUR FATHER'S HOUSE -- as if to say: I was not the cause but the occasion (so the Chaldean, Hebrew, and Septuagint) of the death of the sons and relatives of your father; since each person's soul, that is, life, was taken by Saul. The occasion, I say, but involuntary and contrary to my intention, and therefore without my fault: for I protected them and their lives as much as I could, pretending before them that I was not a fugitive but sent by Saul. Hence, although I knew Doeg would report this to Saul, I nevertheless probably believed or hoped that Saul would not become angry with the innocent priests, or at least would not attempt so cruel an act as the slaughter of priests. David was therefore guilty not formally but materially: because he gave Saul the material and occasion for killing them, but beyond and indeed against his own intention, driven by the necessity of hunger. For the proper and direct cause of their death was the wickedness of Saul.
Finally, see here how great an evil envy is, which continually tormented Saul and drove him to so many murders and crimes, that at last he brought death upon himself. Hear St. Cyprian cataloguing the evils and damages of every envious person, in his sermon On Jealousy and Envy: "Jealousy stirs up ambition, when one sees another more advanced in honors; jealousy blinds our senses and brings the secrets of the mind under its dominion. The fear of God is despised, the teaching of Christ is neglected, the day of judgment is not foreseen. Pride is puffed up, cruelty is embittered, perfidy transgresses, impatience is shaken, discord rages, anger boils -- nor can he any longer restrain or govern himself who has become subject to an alien power."