King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 22:3 in the King James Version says “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, co...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 22:3 · KJV

Prayer

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.

5

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.

Read 1 Samuel 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's plea to Moab for his parents' protection reveals both prudent planning and family devotion. The Hebrew phrase 'ad asher eda' (until I know) expresses uncertainty about his future while affirming faith in God's sovereign direction. David's Moabite connection through Ruth, his great-grandmother (Ruth 4:17), provided diplomatic grounds for this request. His concern for elderly parents while himself facing mortal danger demonstrates covenant faithfulness—honoring father and mother even amid personal crisis. The phrase 'what God will do for me' maintains theological perspective: David knew God had a plan, even if he could not yet see it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moab, east of the Dead Sea, had periodic peaceful relations with Israel. David's lineage through Ruth the Moabitess gave him kinship connections. Mizpeh ('watchtower') was likely a fortified location where refugees could be protected.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance personal crisis management with care for vulnerable family members?
  2. What does 'until I know what God will do for me' teach about patient faith amid uncertainty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ1 of 21
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

דָּוִ֛ד2 of 21

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִשָּׁ֖ם3 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מִצְפֵּ֣ה4 of 21

“thence to Mizpeh”

H4708

mitspeh, the name of five places in palestine

מוֹאָ֗ב5 of 21

“of Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀6 of 21

“and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל7 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֣לֶךְ8 of 21

“unto the king”

H4428

a king

מוֹאָ֗ב9 of 21

“of Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

יֵֽצֵא10 of 21

“I pray thee come forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

נָ֞א11 of 21
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אָבִ֤י12 of 21

“Let my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאִמִּי֙13 of 21

“and my mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

אִתְּכֶ֔ם14 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

עַ֚ד15 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 21
H834

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

אֵדַ֔ע17 of 21

“and be with you till I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מַה18 of 21
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יַּֽעֲשֶׂה19 of 21

“will do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִּ֖י20 of 21
H0
אֱלֹהִֽים׃21 of 21

“what God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 22:3 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 22:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruth 4:10Matthew 15:4-6Ruth 1:1-41 Samuel 14:471 Samuel 3:182 Samuel 15:25-26

Places in This Verse

Mizpeh 3Settlement · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E1 verse across 1 book
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 22 →

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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