King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 22:5 in the King James Version says “And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David depa...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

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.

6

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;) tree: or, grove in a high place

7

Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

Read 1 Samuel 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The prophet Gad's appearance introduces prophetic guidance into David's wilderness experience. The Hebrew imperative 'al teshev' (do not stay/abide) conveys urgency. Gad would later serve as David's official seer (2 Samuel 24:11), but here he functions as divine messenger to the fugitive king. The command to return to Judah—Saul's territory—seems counterintuitive yet proved strategically wise. Remaining in Moab might have compromised David's claim to Israel's throne or entangled him in foreign alliances. The 'forest of Hareth' provided concealment in Judah's wilderness. This prophetic direction demonstrates that God guides His servants through human messengers, even in exile.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gad was one of several prophets active during the early monarchy. The 'forest of Hareth' was likely in the Judean hill country, possibly near Keilah. David's return to Judah maintained his connection to his tribal homeland and future power base.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern prophetic guidance that seems to lead you toward rather than away from danger?
  2. What role do trusted spiritual advisors play in your major decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

גָּ֨ד2 of 18

“Gad”

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

הַנָּבִ֜יא3 of 18

“And the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֶל4 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֔ד5 of 18

“Then David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לֹ֤א6 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֵשֵׁב֙7 of 18

“Abide”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בַּמְּצוּדָ֔ה8 of 18

“not in the hold”

H4686

a fastness

לֵ֥ךְ9 of 18
H1980

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

וַיָּבֹ֖א10 of 18

“and came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְּךָ֖11 of 18
H0
אֶ֣רֶץ12 of 18

“thee into the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְהוּדָ֑ה13 of 18

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ14 of 18
H1980

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

דָּוִ֔ד15 of 18

“Then David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיָּבֹ֖א16 of 18

“and came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יַ֥עַר17 of 18

“into the forest”

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

חָֽרֶת׃18 of 18

“of Hareth”

H2802

chereth, a thicket in palestine

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 22:5 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 22:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 29:251 Chronicles 21:91 Chronicles 29:292 Samuel 24:11

Places in This Verse

HerethForest · Modern: Kharas · 31.61°N, 35.04°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in 1 Samuel 22 →

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