1 Samuel 22:1

King James Version (KJV)

David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

The cave Adullam - This was in the tribe of Judah, and, according to Eusebius and Jerome, ten miles eastward of what they call Eleutheropolis.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

To the cave Adullam - Or rather “of Adullam.” Adullam was the name of a town of Judah in the “Shephelah,” not far from Bethlehem, and below it. Innumerable caverns, one nearly 100 feet long, are excavated in the soft limestone hills in the neighborhood of Beit-Jibrin. (The cave is placed by Ganneau and Conder on the hill (500 feet high) over ‹Aid el Ma or Miyeh.) David‘s brethren and kinsmen joined him partly from sympathy with him, and partly because their own lives were in jeopardy front Saul‘s furious enmity.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Cave Adullam. According to Josephus (Antiquities vi. 12. 3), a cave near the city of Adullam. Adullam has been identified with Khirbet esh- Sheikh MadhkÃƒÂ»r, 16 1/4 mi. (26 km.) southwest of Jerusalem on the western slope as the mountains fall off toward the Shephelah. The town is at the eastern end of the Valley of Elah, where David met the Philistine giant. Many caves are found in these hills, some of which are very large. The sandstone formation is so soft that the walls can be cut down with shells. Even centuries have not erased the marks of these shells. In some of these caverns the shepherds kept their flocks. In some, a few miles south of Adullam, the early Christians are reported to have lived at the time persecution drove them out of the cities of Palestine. Some of the caves contain burial vaults and crypts similar to those in the catacombs at Rome. Adullam was the hiding place of David when he longed for a drink from the well at Bethlehem. Three of his valiant men risked their lives to thread through the lines of the Philistines, who had raided the Valley of Rephaim near Jerusalem, and to bring their beloved leader a drink. So overcome was David by their loyalty that he poured out the water as a libation before the Lord (2 Sam. 23:13-17; 1 Chron. 11:15-19). This incident occurred in the time of harvest (2 Sam. 23:13; cf. 1 Sam. 23:1), the spring and early summer of the year. David had probably spent the winter in this cave.

While in the cave of Adullam David wrote the 57th psalm, according to its heading. Recovering his faith and courage, he now expressed his confidence in God’s deliverance, even though he found himself “among lions: and even among Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword” (Ps. 57:4). His changed attitude may in part be accounted for by the presence of the prophet Gad, who, as some have suggested, joined David and his companions at the cave (see on v. 5).

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 575

In all ages God's appointed witnesses have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth's sake. Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. David, the chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true to his allegiance to heaven. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions, and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his relatives and friends; yet he maintained his integrity. Jeremiah could not be deterred from speaking the words that God had given him to speak; and his testimony so enraged the king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned because he preached Christ and Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful messenger for God to the Gentiles. And John was banished to the Isle of Patmos “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” AA 575.1

These examples of human steadfastness bear witness to the faithfulness of God's promises—of His abiding presence and sustaining grace. They testify to the power of faith to withstand the powers of the world. It is the work of faith to rest in God in the darkest hour, to feel, however sorely tried and tempest-tossed, that our Father is at the helm. The eye of faith alone can look beyond the things of time to estimate aright the worth of the eternal riches. AA 575.2

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 525

Those who closely connect with God may not be prosperous in the things of this life; they may often be sorely tried and afflicted. Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. David, that chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his wicked enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true and unyielding in his allegiance to God. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his relatives and friends, yet he preserved his integrity and faithfulness to God. Jeremiah would speak the words which God had put into his mouth, and his plain testimony so enraged the king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned because he would preach Christ and Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful messenger to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. The beloved John was banished to the Isle of Patmos “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” 4T 525.1

These examples of human steadfastness, in the might of divine power, are a witness to the world of the faithfulness of God's promises—of His abiding presence and sustaining grace. As the world looks upon these humble men, it cannot discern their moral value with God. It is a work of faith to calmly repose in God in the darkest hour—however severely tried and tempest-tossed, to feel that our Father is at the helm. The eye of faith alone can look beyond the things of time and sense to estimate the worth of eternal riches. 4T 525.2

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Cross References

David