1 Samuel 22:3

“And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab, etc.] So called to distinguish it from a place of the same name in the land of Israel; which Junius says is the same with Malle, and signifies a fortified place, and refers to the Apocrypha: “And how that many of them were shut up in Bosora, and Bosor, and Alema, Casphor, Maked, and Carnaim; all these cities are strong and great:” (1 Maccabees 5:26) here he might think himself safer, though in an enemy’s country, than in the land of Israel: and he said unto the king of Moab, let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth; out of the land of Israel, or out of the cave of Adullam, whither they were come to him: [and be] with you; if not with the…”

“David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab--"Mizpeh" signifies a watchtower, and it is evident that it must be taken in this sense here, for it is called "the hold" or fort (Sa1 22:4). The king of Moab was an enemy of Saul (Sa1 14:47), and the great-grandson of Ruth, of course, was related to the family of Jesse. David, therefore, had less anxiety in seeking an asylum within the dominions of this prince than those of Achish, because the Moabites had no grounds for entertaining vindictive feelings against him, and their enmity, to Saul rendered them the more willing to receive so illustrious a refugee from his court.”

“Mizpeh of Moab - A good conjecture connects it with “Zophim” (a word of the same root as Mizpeh) on the top of Pisgah Numbers 23:14. It is probable that David’s descent from Ruth the Moabitess may have had something to do with his seeking an asylum for Jesse, Ruth’s grandson, in the land of her birth. It would be very easy to get to the Jordan from the neighborhood of Bethlehem, and cross over near its embouchure into the Dead Sea. Come forth, and be with you - The construction of the Hebrew is very strange. The Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic seem to have read “dwell” instead of “come forth.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“'Till I know, &c. - He expresses his hopes very modestly, as one that had entirely cast himself upon God, and committed his way to him, trusting not in his own arts or arms, but in the wisdom, power and goodness of God. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 22:4”

“22:3-4 Mizpeh in Moab lay east of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River—not an easy trip from Adullam, especially if the 400 men (22:2) accompanied David. • David’s parents stayed in Moab: Jesse’s grandmother was Ruth, a Moabite (Ruth 4:13-22).”

“Mizpeh: Jdg 11:29 the king: Sa1 14:47; Rut 1:1-4, Rut 4:10, Rut 4:17 Let my father: Gen 47:11; Exo 20:12; Mat 15:4-6; Ti1 5:4 till I know: Sa1 3:18; Sa2 15:25, Sa2 15:26; Phi 2:23, Phi 2:24 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 22:4”