1 Samuel 22 5

1 Samuel 22:5 kjv

And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.

1 Samuel 22:5 nkjv

Now the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.

1 Samuel 22:5 niv

But the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

1 Samuel 22:5 esv

Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not remain in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.

1 Samuel 22:5 nlt

One day the prophet Gad told David, "Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah." So David went to the forest of Hereth.

1 Samuel 22 verses

1 Samuel 22 5 Meaning

1 Samuel 22:5 delivers a divine command to David through the prophet Gad, instructing him to cease dwelling in a place of perceived security (the stronghold, likely outside Judah) and instead return to the land of Judah. This message signifies a critical divine redirection for David, shifting his reliance from self-devised refuges and foreign alliances to active faith and presence within God's appointed territory and among His people, even in the face of danger. It marks a call to re-engage with his destiny as God's chosen king within the covenant land.

1 Samuel 22 5 Context

At this point in 1 Samuel 22, David is a fugitive from King Saul, who relentlessly seeks his life. David had previously sought refuge in Gath, among the Philistines (1 Sam 21:10-15), feigning madness to escape. He then retreated to the cave of Adullam, where he was joined by his family and a company of men (400-600 strong) who were distressed, in debt, or discontented (1 Sam 22:1-2). David further sought safety for his parents in Moab, placing them under the protection of the Moabite king (1 Sam 22:3-4). The "stronghold" mentioned in verse 5 could refer to the cave of Adullam, a similar fortified hideout, or even symbolically, the general strategy of relying on foreign territories (like Moab) for security. Gad, appearing suddenly, acts as God's direct voice, indicating that David's current path, though seemingly secure, was not God's ultimate will for him. David needed to return to the covenant land of Judah, where his destiny as king was intrinsically linked, even if it meant increased danger from Saul.

1 Samuel 22 5 Word analysis

• Then (וְלֹא, ve-lo): A simple conjunction, connecting this divine word to David's previous actions and indicating a new phase of his flight. It suggests a timely intervention.
• the prophet (הַנָּבִיא, ha-navi): Refers to a spokesperson for God, someone through whom God reveals His will. Gad is specifically named, identifying him as God's divinely appointed messenger for David.
• Gad (גָּד, Gad): His name possibly means "fortune" or "a troop." He is identified elsewhere as David's "seer" (2 Sam 24:11, 1 Chr 21:9). His presence signifies direct divine communication and guidance to David.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyomer): Indicates direct, verbal communication, conveying a divine message.
• to David (אֶל־דָּוִד, el-Dawid): Emphasizes the personal nature of the command, directed specifically to the future king.
• "Do not remain (לֹא־תֵשֵׁב, lo-teshev): A strong negative command, literally "do not sit" or "do not dwell/stay." It implies a cessation of a present state, indicating that David's current habitation is not God's desire. This word can also denote settling down, which God explicitly prohibits here.
• in the stronghold (בַּמְּצוּדָה, bammaṣûdāh): Metzudah refers to a fortress, stronghold, or fortified place. While it offers physical protection, God is signaling that relying on such a human-devised safe haven is not where David should be, especially if it takes him away from the promised land. It represents a human-centric solution to his dilemma, which God now overrides.
• depart (לֵךְ, lekh): An imperative verb meaning "go!" or "depart!" It commands immediate and active movement, counteracting the static "do not remain." It implies abandoning his present strategy.
• and go (וּבָאתָ, u-vata): Literally "and come" or "and enter." It signifies not just movement but arrival at a specific destination.
• into the land (אֶל־אֶרֶץ, el-eretz): "To the land," indicating a defined territory.
• of Judah (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah): David's tribal homeland, the very region where God had designated him to become king. This is not merely a geographic command but a theological one, calling David back to the covenant land where his destiny was rooted and where God would ultimately fulfill His promises concerning his kingdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the prophet Gad said to David": This phrase establishes the divine authority behind the message. It's not David's own cunning or counsel but a direct, unsolicited word from God, delivered by His chosen messenger. This highlights God's active involvement in David's life, guiding him through turbulent times.
• "Do not remain in the stronghold; depart": This bipartite command contrasts resting in human-derived safety ("stronghold") with actively moving at God's direction ("depart"). It signifies a shift from a defensive, static posture relying on physical barriers to an active, mobile posture relying on divine leading, even if it leads into perceived danger. It's a call to dislodge from a comfort zone.
• "and go into the land of Judah": This specifies God's preferred location for David. Judah represents the covenant territory, David's inheritance, and the very sphere of his future kingdom. Being in Judah, even as a hunted fugitive, means David remains within the orbit of God's redemptive plan for Israel, prepared for his kingly role among his people.

1 Samuel 22 5 Bonus section

The divine command to "go into the land of Judah" served several layered purposes for David beyond just abandoning a temporary refuge. Firstly, it prepared him for his kingship. Remaining outside Judah would alienate him from the people he was called to lead, preventing the establishment of the necessary relationships and influence crucial for his future reign. Being in Judah, even as an outlaw, allowed his reputation to grow and men loyal to him to gather. Secondly, it emphasized that David's anointing as king over Israel, a covenant nation, inherently tied him to the covenant land. His destiny was intertwined with Israel's. Lastly, it was a test of David's faith. Trusting God by returning to a dangerous territory demonstrated a deeper level of obedience than simply seeking the safest route. This act of faith ultimately paved the way for God's greater purposes to unfold, shaping David into the king and psalmist he was destined to be.

1 Samuel 22 5 Commentary

1 Samuel 22:5 marks a crucial turning point in David's fugitive period, revealing God's direct and sovereign intervention in his life through the prophet Gad. Prior to this, David had largely relied on human wisdom and resourcefulness to secure his safety—fleeing to Achish, the Philistine king, and then sending his parents to the foreign land of Moab. While these strongholds and foreign alliances offered temporary respite, they were outside God's perfect will for His chosen king.

God's command to "depart" from the stronghold and "go into the land of Judah" is more than a geographical relocation; it's a spiritual redirection. It challenged David to step away from reliance on his own strength or foreign protection and return to a position of full dependence on God within the covenant land. Being in Judah, though dangerous due to Saul's relentless pursuit, placed David among his own people, fostering a spirit of trust and demonstrating his heart for Israel. It also strategically positioned him for the eventual call to kingship in Judah. This divine instruction underscores a vital biblical principle: true security and destiny are found not in self-chosen safe havens, but in obediently following God's specific call, even when it leads into challenging circumstances. David's willingness to obey despite the apparent danger cemented his character as a man after God's own heart, proving his trust in divine provision over human cunning.