1 samuel 22:4 - He brought them before the king of Moab; and they lived with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 22:4

What does "1 samuel 22:4" mean?


This verse from 1 Samuel 22:4 describes a specific event during a tumultuous period in David's life when he was fleeing from King Saul. Let's break down what it means:

"He" refers to David: David was running from Saul, who was trying to kill him out of jealousy.
"brought them before the king of Moab": "Them" refers to David's parents (likely Jesse and his wife) and perhaps some other close relatives. Moab was a kingdom east of Judah, not always on friendly terms with Israel. David, knowing Saul's wrath would extend to his family, sought refuge for them in a foreign land. He approached the king of Moab, likely requesting protection and hospitality for his parents.
"and they lived with him": "Him" is the king of Moab. This indicates that the king agreed to David's request and allowed David's family to reside in Moab, likely under his protection.
"all the time that David was in the stronghold": A "stronghold" is a fortified place, a refuge. In this case, it refers to the cave of Adullam (mentioned in the previous verse, 1 Samuel 22:1) and other such places where David was hiding from Saul. This phrase signifies that David's family remained in Moab for the duration of David's initial period of hiding. David wanted them safe from Saul's anger while he was actively on the run.

In summary, the verse means that David, fearing for the safety of his family because of King Saul's persecution, arranged for them to live under the protection of the king of Moab while he hid in strongholds to evade capture.

Significance:

David's Concern for his Family: It highlights David's care and responsibility towards his family, even amidst his own perilous situation.
Seeking Refuge in a Foreign Land: It illustrates the desperation of David's situation, as he had to seek help from a neighboring kingdom that wasn't always an ally of Israel.
Temporary Solution: It's important to note that this arrangement was temporary. David's family eventually returned to Judah, likely after the immediate threat from Saul subsided. This story is a testament to the power of family and the length to which one will go to keep their family safe.

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