21 v.5 - the mention of 'three days' indicates that three days had elapsed since David left Samuel.

21 v.10 - 22 v.2 provides the background to Psalm 34 - SEE STUDY PAGES

ch 22 - Another Psalm from this time is Psalm 57, speaking of the time when David had fled from Achish and was in the cave of Adullam.

21:11 One wonders why David thought he would be safe amongst the Philistines. He was carrying Goliath's sword. His spirits must have flagged when he heard the Philistines repeating the words sung of David (1 Samuel 18:7) after he had killed Goliath. How often do we think that we should do something only to find out what we have planned is a disaster?

22:1-2 We should not think of these men who came to David as criminals. Saul had enslaved the nation - 1 Samuel 17:25 indicates this. These men who came to David had been wronged by Saul as had David. There was a fellow feeling with David because of their common experience of Saul.

21:8  David implied that he was on the king's business - that is Saul's business. He seeks to deceive the priest. How can we reconcile this with david being a man after God's own heart?

22:3 David was sure that his parents would find refuge in Moab because his great grandmother Ruth was a Moabitess (Ruth 1:22)

David's group of 400 men were the one in distress, and the discontents of Israel (1Sam 22:22).  What a recipe for disaster this might have been. But they did not influence David - he controlled them. By
1Sam 23:13 200 more men had joined him. He is well described as "A man after God's own Heart."

David was on the run with a death warrant hanging over him.  He was desperate and not above using normally unacceptable behavior to survive.  He lied again, this time to Ahimelech (21:2).  David asked for food and was given the only food available, consecrated bread (21:6).  David broke the Law.  However, his action was overlooked as the greater principle of life preservation superseded the Law (Matt 12:1-4). 

Then David fled to Achish the king of Gath (who is called Abimelech, a general Philistine kingly appellation in Psa 34:1).  Fleeing to the Philistines for sanctuary was akin to a chicken taking refuge in a fox's lair.  He realized his predicament and pretended to be mad (21:13).  He, obviously, did a great acting job which extricated him from that difficult situation. 

And so, we see David, the anointed of Israel, guilty of lying, breaking the Law, and deception.  Desperate measures for desperate times. Yahweh understood David's drastic situation and forgave him all these things (Psa 86:5; 103:13,14).  From time to time, brethren act inappropriately from desperation.  Let us remember Yahweh's willingness to forgive David and, in turn, render sympathy and help rather than judgement.

21:4     It would appear that the tabernacle – minus the ark of the covenant – was at Nob at this time else there would be little purpose in having shewbread. Additionally Jesus says that David went to ‘the house of God’ Matt 12:4.

1Sam 17:40 - the 5 stones and 1Sam 21:3-5 the 5 loaves of consecrated bread (Lev 24:8-9; Mark 2:23-28) perhaps an echo of mercy and grace echoing Christ, our king and priest after the order of Melchizedek

22:3 The 400 men are the ‘children’ of Psa 34:11 to whom the Psalm was directed.

21:11   As we have already seen – 1Sam 14:21– that Jews had already been part of the army of the Philistines maybe going to Achish might not have seemed such an odd thing to do.

21:4,5 answer to Exo 19:15.

Talk about dangerous moves.  David fled to Gath, the city of Goliath, the slain giant. Moreover, he was carrying Goliath's sword.  Desperate times prompt desperate actions.  Let's remember that Yahweh was always aware of David's moves, and protective of him.  This is good to know if we are ever forced to act drastically.

22:3 The king of Moab allowed David's parents to reside with him for a couple of reasons.  First, Saul was his enemy (1Sam 14:47).  Second, Jesse was the grandson of Ruth the Moabitess (with Boaz) (1Chron 2:12).

21:7 The mention of Doeg causes us to look at Psa 52 which is David’s response on hearing what Doeg had done to the priests.

21:5 David and his men were holy according to the Law Exo 19:15.  The taking of the showbread (KJV); bread of the Presence (ESV) is recorded in the Gospels (Matt 12:3; Mark 2:25; Luke 6:3).

21:7 Doeg means anxious or fearful.  He was an Edomite who had converted to Israel’s religion.

22:1 The cave of Adullam was situated near the Dead Sea.

22:3,4 The cave of Adullam was near Moab.  And so, David and his parents were not far from each other.

22:5 Hareth was southwest of Jerusalem.

22:9-11 Doeg betrayed David and all those at Nob.  Now Doeg was acting like an Edomite.  Edom was bent on the destruction of Israel. 

22:18 Doeg, the Edomite, had no compunction in killing Yahweh’s anointed. 

22:21 It was at this time that David wrote Psa 52 about Doeg.

22:18 Remember that Psa 52 speaks of David’s feelings about Doeg’s actions here.

In chapter 22: Adullam (5725) means "justice of the people";  Mizpeh (4708) means "watchtower"; Ahitub (285) means "bother of goodness"; Abiathar (54) means "father of abundance" or "my father is great".  1Sam 22:1-2  - the "beloved's" brothers and his father's household went to meet him just as we who are in debt (for our sins) must seek out Christ our leader.  1Sam 22:18 - this perhaps echos the saints wearing righteous garments who have been martyred for following Christ.

The miracle of the healing of Legion (Mark 5) echoes elements of this chapter.

65:1-2 The contrast between the gentile (:1) and Israel (:2) is used by Paul (Rom 10:20-21) to highlight the reason why God opened His offer of salvation to the gentiles.

Vs.3-5 There have been (and still are) those of the house of Israel who have arrogantly opposed their God with flagrant idolatry.  

V.6 Yahweh will deal with the arrogant ones as per His promise (Psa 79:12). 

V.9 Yahweh will bless those of His spiritual seed, Christ and His brethren. To these He shall give a new name in the Kingdom (v.15; Isa 62:2; Rev 2:17; 3:12). 

V.17 The Kingdom will herald in a new order (2Pet 3:13; Rev 21:4). 

Vs.18,19 The physical city of Jerusalem will be a place of peace, beauty, and holiness.  New Jerusalem will be also formed, symbolic of the Redeemed (the immortalized saints) (Rev 21:2,10).  

Vs.20-25 Much death and destruction will need to take place before the blessings of the Kingdom are installed.  Those mortals who will be fortunate enough to escape these troubles will also be blessed in the Kingdom. These verses give some insight into God's grace in this regard. 

Isa 65:17-25is speaking of the Kingdom. Isa 65:25 says in a fascinating way, that although the animals, (or nations), will live in peace, there will be no reprieve for the serpent (= sin). Dust will still be the serpent’s meat.  That alone of the punishments in Eden will never be lifted – well not until sin and death are finally abolished at the end of the 1,000 years.

65:16 Despite all the rebelliousness of Israel there will come a time when they will turn to God. The promises of  Gen 22:18 will be fulfilled – see the margin of Gen 22:18.

65:10 The way in which the valley of Achor was to be a door of home shows that the curse upon Achan – Josh 7:24– will finally be lifted and Israel will no longer lust after earthly things

Vs.4,5 It is easy to be holier than thou and to cock a snook (act contemptuously) at others. We might not indulge in flagrant, abominable, practices as the Israelites did.  Nevertheless, we are still sinners and ought to treat others with humility and respect.

 65:10In describing the ‘valley of Achor’ in these terms it contrast powerfully with how it was in the days that Israel entered he land o promise under Joshua –Josh 7:24

The "Jerusalem" in v8-10 is the "new Jerusalem" spoken of elsewhere. We gather this from the context of v17 "behold I create new heavens and a new earth... I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing". This new Jerusalem has come through the trials brought on it by God; v16 "the former troubles are forgotten". The old city has died, as it were, and been replaced by the new.

The picture here can be seen first in the near destruction and miraculous saving of Jerusalem at the time of Hezekiah. The land afterwards had rest and was restored, and Jerusalem was a rejoicing for the people saved from Assyria (v18). And secondly as a picture of all of us who have come, through trials in life, to hold on to God as our only hope. This picture is given us in Heb 12:5-7, 22-24 speaking of the new covenant and heavenly (or new) Jerusalem, the eternal citizenship of which is gained through trials.

So the Bible is asking us to look at the time of Hezekiah as an example of how our salvation works. It's like a textbook accompanying the new testament Gospels. This is why the account is repeated three times in Kings, Chronicles and Isaiah.

65:9 The ‘seed’ who God will bring forth is Jesus. Thus we see in little details in the prophets we see Messiah spoken of. Jesus did say – Luke 24:27 - that he is spoken of in all the scriptures.

10 v.2 - The order of the naming of the 12 apostles

From which we can conclude:- Lebbaeus, Thaddaeus and Judas the brother of James are the same person Simon the Canaanite and Simon Zelotes is the same person Mark 2:14 has 'Levi the son of Alphaeus' the tax gather who is Matthew. Thus Matthew / Levi and James are brothers.

The way in which Paul speaks to Timothy using Jesus' words highlights that Jesus words very powerfully become the message that the Apostles taught.

A further point to ponder:
After telling his disciples to go out and preach, heal the sick, and cast out demons, he commands them to leave all food, money, and extra clothing behind. The reason he gives is "for the worker is worthy of his wages". Who were they working for, and who would provide the wages? Is Jesus reminding them that if they are working for their Father in heaven, they will be looked after by Him? Is this the basis of his exhortation in Matt 6v33, that if we are trying to do His will in our lives, He will look after the rest?

Vs.1-4 The apostles were given spiritual power.  This was before the Holy Spirit was manifest  at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). 

Judas Iscariot was a recipient of this divine power.  Could Judas have been forgiven over the betrayal of Jesus?  It is a moot point since he chose to commit suicide rather than to seek forgiveness.  Of course, it is folly to second guess the Lord.  However, since Judas had been recipient of the Holy Spirit would not the Word condemn him (Heb 6:4-6)?

V.28 There is nothing mysterious in this verse.  Simply put, man can kill the body, but only Yahweh has power over the life-force (soul = breath) which animates the body.  Thus, He can re-animate the body (bring back to life) at will.  In this we both fear and hope.  We fear the power and majesty of Yahweh and hope in our revival at the last day (Psa 34:9; 2Cor 4:14).

V.37 Jesus is to take precedent over our natural families.  By extension, brethren of Christ must take precedence over our natural families.

10:25 In warning the disciples what to expect Jesus is reminding the disciples of what had been said of him earlier in Mark 3:23

10:35 The animosity amongst family members was not something new. It was predicted – Mic 7:6 – and was something which Jesus experienced in his own family.

V.16 It seems odd that Jesus would exhort His disciples to be wise as serpents.  The serpent is synonymous with cunning (skill at deception). In Eden, it was the serpent that deceived Eve (2Cor 11:3).  Obviously, the Lord was not telling His disciples to seduce people by trickery.  A cunning creature is also cautious and lacks naivety.  The Lord is exhorting His disciples to be harmless as doves  but, at the same time, to have eyes wide open to avoid the subtleties and pitfalls that they might encounter in their work.

10:7-8 Preaching the kingdom is at hand and healing the sick, for the disciples, was two parts of the same message. The healings were the evidence that their message had credibility as they were performing the work that would be seen in the kingdom of God.

Vs.34-36 Christendom celebrates the birth of Jesus at Christmas.  The sentiment of Peace on earth and goodwill towards all men has been proclaimed on behalf of the Christ-child.  Christ, speaking for himself, says that he did not come to bring peace (presently). 

Throughout history, individuals, families, and states have been in conflict in the name of Christ. Nations have fought wars, and millions have died, all in His Name.  And so where is the peace? Many have become cynical and have scoffed at this misguided Christmas sentiment.  The result is that they have chosen to deny the existence of God (Psa 14:1). 

Global peace will only occur when the Lord Jesus returns to earth from heaven to establish the Kingdom (Isa 9:6,7).  Those in Christendom will never experience that peace as they believe in the myth of heaven going at death rather than the reality the of Kingdom of God on earth. 

True believers in Christ, however, have the assurance of Christ's peace, even now, as they contend with a tumultuous world and wait for His return (John 14:27).

10:14 We should appreciate that the disciples were not speaking to people who had no knowledge of God. They were speaking to God’s people who should have known all about the kingdom of God. Indeed they should have been waiting for it as some clearly were - Luke 2:25 - so the way that the disciples were to respond was appropriate for the audience.

What was the reward in v42? Was it an eternal reward, or more immediate? Could it be Jesus is referring to the troubles of AD70 (the judgement on the Jews because they rejected Jesus), where such people would be spared? This is rather like the example of Rahab in the old testament who escaped because of her kindness to visitors.