The Cave of Adullam
1 Samuel 22:1-3 (ESV)
David at the Cave of Adullam
David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
Background and History
Adullam was one of the royal cities of the Canaanites, now 'Aid-el-ma ( Joshua 12:15 ; 15:35 ). It stood on the old Roman road in the valley of Elah (q.v.), which was the scene of David's memorable victory over Goliath ( 1 Samuel 17:2 ), and not far from Gath. It was one of the towns which Rehoboam fortified against Egypt ( 2 Chronicles 11:7 ). It was called "the glory of Israel" ( Micah 1:15 ).
The Cave of Adullam has been discovered about 2 miles south of the scene of David's triumph, and about 13 miles west from Bethlehem. At this place is a hill some 500 feet high pierced with numerous caverns, in one of which David gathered together "every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented" ( 1 Samuel 22:2 ). Some of these caverns are large enough to hold 200 or 300 men. According to tradition this cave was at Wady Khureitun, between Bethlehem and the Dead Sea, but this view cannot be well maintained.
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
