1 Samuel 22:6

King James Version (KJV)

When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Saul abode in Gibeah - Saul and his men were in pursuit of David, and had here, as is the general custom in the East, encamped on a height, for so Ramah should be translated, as in the margin. His spear, the ensign of power (see on 1 Samuel 18:11; (note)), was at hand, that is stuck in the ground where he rested, which was the mark to the soldiers that there was their general's tent.

And all his servants were standing about him - That is, they were encamped around him, or perhaps here there is a reference to a sort of council of war called by Saul for the purpose of delivering the speech recorded in the following verses.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Under a tree in Ramah - Rather, “under the tamarisk-tree on the high place,” where he always held such meetings. It was a kind of parliament in the open air, and all his tribesmen gathered round him. (Compare Judges 4:5.)

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

6. David was discovered. Some commentators take the narrative of the remainder of this chapter as an illustration of the way in which the Hebrew text sometimes departs from the strict chronological sequence of events in order to carry one thought to its conclusion before discussing another. Such an interpretation of this passage assumes that Doeg’s accusation against Ahimelech the priest and the massacre of Nob followed immediately upon the discovery of David’s original escape, but that the narrative continues with the account of David and his men until it becomes necessary to introduce the massacre to explain the arrival of Abiathar at Keilah in the next chapter. This interpretation is based largely on Ahimelech’s avowal of his ignorance of David’s true situation. This is not an illogical deduction.

It is equally reasonable to take the narrative as running consecutively. In this case the statement that David and his men were discovered means that it became known that they had emerged from their hiding place in the stronghold of Adullam and were encamped in the Forest of Hareth; and that when the king learned of this he complained to his officers about treasonable collaboration with the outlaw (v. 8). Thereupon Doeg the herdsman would seize the opportunity to turn informer against Ahimelech (vs. 9, 10). There is no reason to suppose that a man in Doeg’s station would have known, when he saw David at the sanctuary, anything of the real reason for his coming. Since there would have been nothing unusual in David’s stopping there for counsel before going on an errand for Saul, Doeg would doubtless have considered this not worth reporting at the time. Ahimelech’s reply does not help in determining the sequence of events, for his plea of ignorance at the time of David’s visit would still be his logical defense (see on vs. 14, 15), regardless of the interval between his alleged treason and the arraignment of the priests before Saul. Thus the slaying of the priests and the massacre at Nob did not necessarily immediately follow David’s visit to the sanctuary (see PP 658, 659).

A tree in Ramah. Since Ramah and Gibeah are distinct sites separated by a considerable distance (see on ch. 1:1), Saul could hardly be in Gibeah, yet sitting under a tree in the town of Ramah. The Hebrew word ramah should here probably be translated “height,” or “high place” as in Eze. 16:24, 25. The high place in Gibeah was probably a favorite meeting place for the men of the city.

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Ellen G. White
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2 (EGW), 1019

5. Sentinels of Heaven Gave Warning—It seemed certain to him [David] that he must, at last, fall into the hands of his pursuer and persecutor. But could his eyes have been opened, he would have seen the angels of the Lord encamped round about him and his followers. The sentinels of heaven were waiting to warn them of impending danger, and to conduct them to a place of refuge when their peril demanded it. God could protect David and his followers; for they were not a band in rebellion against Saul. David had repeatedly proved his allegiance to the king (The Signs of the Times, September 7, 1888). 2BC 1019.1

6-16. The Effects of Evil Surmising—The spirit of evil was upon Saul. He felt that his doom had been sealed by the solemn message of his rejection from the throne of Israel. His departure from the plain requirements of God was bringing its sure results. He did not turn, and repent, and humble his heart before God, but opened it to receive every suggestion of the enemy. He listened to every false witness, eagerly receiving anything that was detrimental to the character of David, hoping that he might find an excuse for manifesting his increasing envy and hatred of him who had been anointed to the throne of Israel. Every rumor was credited, no matter how inconsistent and irreconcilable it was with the former character and custom of David. 2BC 1019.2

Every evidence that the protecting care of God was over David seemed to imbitter and deepen his one engrossing and determined purpose. The failure to accomplish his own designs appeared in marked contrast to the success of the fugitive in eluding his search, but it only made the determination of the king the more unrelenting and firm. He was not careful to conceal his designs toward David, nor scrupulous as to what means should be employed in accomplishing his purpose. 2BC 1019.3

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Cross References

spear

1 Samuel 18:10

1 Samuel 19:9

1 Samuel 20:33

Saul, 1000 BCE

David's Flight from Saul

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1 Samuel 22:6