1 Samuel 22:2

“And everyone [that was] in distress, etc.] In straitened circumstances, through the oppression of men, through poverty, and afflictive providences in their families: and everyone [that was] in debt; and not able to pay their debts, and whose creditors were pressing upon them: and everyone [that was] discontented; with Saul’s government and conduct: or “bitter in soul” f449; distressed and uneasy in their minds, being pinched with want, or pressed with sore afflictions, which made them very disconsolate: these gathered themselves unto him; to help him, or rather to be helped by him; hoping in time things would take a favourable turn with him, and he should be advanced to the throne, and so…”

“every one that was in distress--(See on Jdg 11:3).”

“Discontented - See the margin. (Compare 1 Samuel 30:6; 2 Samuel 17:8.) The phrase here denotes those who were exasperated by Saul’s tyranny. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Debt - Probably poor debtors, whom the creditors were obliged to spare, Exo 22:25. And though their persons were with David, yet their lands and goods were liable to their creditors. Captain over them - He did not maintain any injustice or wickedness, which some of them possibly might be guilty of; but on the contrary, he instructed and obliged them to the practice of all justice and honesty. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 22:3”

“22:2 in trouble . . . in debt . . . discontented: By attracting such down-and-out people to himself, David foreshadowed Jesus, who would attract to himself the hurting, the burdened, and the outcast (Matt 11:25-30).”

“distress: Jdg 11:3; Mat 11:12, Mat 11:28 was in debt: Heb. had a creditor, Mat 18:25-34 discontented: Heb. bitter of soul, Sa1 1:10, Sa1 30:6; Jdg 18:25; Sa2 17:8; Pro 31:6 \*marg. a captain: Sa1 9:16, Sa1 25:15, Sa1 25:16, Sa1 30:22-24; Sa2 5:2; Kg2 20:5; Ch1 11:15-19; Psa 72:12-14; Mat 9:12, Mat 9:13; Heb 2:10 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 22:3”