David Flees to Adullam and Mizpeh

(Psalm 57:1–11; Psalm 142:1–7)

22 So David left [Gath] and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 And all who were distressed [or] indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

3 From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay[fn] with you until I learn what God will do for me.” 4 So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.

5 Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart and go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.