1 Samuel 22:2
And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִֽישׁ׃
And every one
H376
אִֽישׁ׃
And every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מָצ֜וֹק
that was in distress
H4689
מָצ֜וֹק
that was in distress
Strong's:
H4689
Word #:
5 of 22
a narrow place, i.e., (abstractly and figuratively) confinement or disability
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִֽישׁ׃
And every one
H376
אִֽישׁ׃
And every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נֹשֶׁא֙
that was in debt
H5378
נֹשֶׁא֙
that was in debt
Strong's:
H5378
Word #:
10 of 22
to lend on interest; by implication, to dun for debt
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִֽישׁ׃
And every one
H376
אִֽישׁ׃
And every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מַר
that was discontented
H4751
מַר
that was discontented
Strong's:
H4751
Word #:
13 of 22
bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
H5315
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
וַיְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְשָׂ֑ר
themselves unto him and he became a captain
H8269
לְשָׂ֑ר
themselves unto him and he became a captain
Strong's:
H8269
Word #:
17 of 22
a head person (of any rank or class)
וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עִמּ֔וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֔וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
19 of 22
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Cross References
Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.1 Samuel 25:13And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.1 Samuel 30:6And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.1 Samuel 9:16To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.1 Samuel 1:10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.1 Samuel 23:13Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.Judges 11:3Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
Historical Context
Economic hardship and political instability under Saul's declining reign created many displaced persons. Ancient Near Eastern debt slavery and land loss were common causes of social dislocation. David's band resembled other outlaw groups known from ancient sources who operated in frontier regions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use broken and marginalized people to accomplish His purposes?
- What does David's leadership of outcasts teach about Christ's gathering of unlikely disciples?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was in discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
David's band comprised society's rejects—the Hebrew terms 'matsok' (distress), 'nosheh' (debt), and 'mar nephesh' (bitter of soul/discontented) describe desperate people. Yet from these unlikely recruits, David would forge his 'mighty men' (gibbor). The transformation of outcasts into elite warriors foreshadows Christ gathering disciples from fishermen and tax collectors. David becoming 'sar' (captain/prince) over them established leadership that would eventually extend over all Israel. Four hundred men represented a significant fighting force, requiring organization, provisioning, and purpose—skills David would develop during his fugitive years.