Topical Bible: Moabites: David Takes Refuge Among, from Saul

◄ Moabites: David Takes Refuge Among, from Saul ►

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The Moabites, descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Genesis 19:37), were a people often in conflict with Israel. Despite this tumultuous history, there was a period when David, the future king of Israel, sought refuge among them. This event is recorded in the context of David's flight from King Saul, who sought to kill him out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne.

David's connection to Moab was familial, as his great-grandmother, Ruth, was a Moabitess (Ruth 1:4, 4:13-17). This lineage may have influenced his decision to seek asylum there. In 1 Samuel 22:3-4 , it is written: "From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab and said to the king of Moab, 'Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God will do for me.' So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold."

David's request to the king of Moab highlights his strategic and protective instincts. By placing his parents under the care of the Moabite king, David ensured their safety from Saul's reach. This act also underscores the complex relationships between Israel and its neighbors, where alliances could be formed despite historical enmities.

The Moabite king's willingness to harbor David's family suggests a temporary alliance or at least a neutral stance towards David during this period. It is possible that the Moabites saw an opportunity to strengthen their position against Saul, or they may have been influenced by David's Moabite ancestry.

This episode in David's life illustrates the precarious nature of his early years before ascending to the throne. It also reflects the broader theme of God's providence and protection over David, as he navigated the dangers posed by Saul's pursuit. The Moabites, in this instance, served as instruments of God's provision, offering a safe haven during a time of great peril for David and his family.

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1 Samuel 22:3,4
And David went there to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said to the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray you, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.
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Library

The Historical Books.
... years of rest after the oppression of the Moabites. ... Under David the Hebrew commonwealth
was rescued from the ... The introductory part takes up the history of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the people of the city had taken refuge, when a ... from the East, sheikhs of the Midianites,
Moabites, and Ammonites ... In an episode in the life of David (1 Samuel 30 ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

And ii.
... Bozrah was conquered by the Edomites and Moabites in common ... The false prophets, whom
he takes up in the second of ... throne of David: "The throne of David shall be ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... 2 Kings 3. viz., the vengeance which the Moabites took for ... have become wicked, the
words of David have acquired ... is the change only,"the ebb takes the place ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm