King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:2 Mean?

1 Samuel 22:2 in the King James Version says “And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented , gathered thems... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented , gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. was in debt: Heb. had a creditor discontented: Heb. bitter of soul

1 Samuel 22:2 · KJV


Context

1

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.

2

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented , gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. was in debt: Heb. had a creditor discontented: Heb. bitter of soul

3

And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.

4

And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was in discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

David's band comprised society's rejects—the Hebrew terms 'matsok' (distress), 'nosheh' (debt), and 'mar nephesh' (bitter of soul/discontented) describe desperate people. Yet from these unlikely recruits, David would forge his 'mighty men' (gibbor). The transformation of outcasts into elite warriors foreshadows Christ gathering disciples from fishermen and tax collectors. David becoming 'sar' (captain/prince) over them established leadership that would eventually extend over all Israel. Four hundred men represented a significant fighting force, requiring organization, provisioning, and purpose—skills David would develop during his fugitive years.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Economic hardship and political instability under Saul's declining reign created many displaced persons. Ancient Near Eastern debt slavery and land loss were common causes of social dislocation. David's band resembled other outlaw groups known from ancient sources who operated in frontier regions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use broken and marginalized people to accomplish His purposes?
  2. What does David's leadership of outcasts teach about Christ's gathering of unlikely disciples?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּֽתְקַבְּצ֣וּ1 of 22

gathered

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֵ֠לָיו2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל3 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִֽישׁ׃4 of 22

And every one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מָצ֜וֹק5 of 22

that was in distress

H4689

a narrow place, i.e., (abstractly and figuratively) confinement or disability

וְכָל6 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִֽישׁ׃7 of 22

And every one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר8 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

ל֤וֹ9 of 22
H0
נֹשֶׁא֙10 of 22

that was in debt

H5378

to lend on interest; by implication, to dun for debt

וְכָל11 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִֽישׁ׃12 of 22

And every one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מַר13 of 22

that was discontented

H4751

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly

נֶ֔פֶשׁ14 of 22
H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וַיְהִ֥י15 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם16 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְשָׂ֑ר17 of 22

themselves unto him and he became a captain

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ18 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִמּ֔וֹ19 of 22
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כְּאַרְבַּ֥ע20 of 22

over them and there were with him about four

H702

four

מֵא֖וֹת21 of 22

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִֽישׁ׃22 of 22

And every one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 22:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 22:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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