1 Samuel 22:3
And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 21
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מִשָּׁ֖ם
H8033
מִשָּׁ֖ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
3 of 21
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
מִצְפֵּ֣ה
thence to Mizpeh
H4708
מִצְפֵּ֣ה
thence to Mizpeh
Strong's:
H4708
Word #:
4 of 21
mitspeh, the name of five places in palestine
מוֹאָ֗ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֗ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
5 of 21
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
מוֹאָ֗ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֗ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
9 of 21
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
יֵֽצֵא
I pray thee come forth
H3318
יֵֽצֵא
I pray thee come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 21
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
נָ֞א
H4994
נָ֞א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
11 of 21
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אָבִ֤י
Let my father
H1
אָבִ֤י
Let my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
12 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאִמִּי֙
and my mother
H517
וְאִמִּי֙
and my mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
13 of 21
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
אִתְּכֶ֔ם
H854
אִתְּכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
עַ֚ד
H5704
עַ֚ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֵדַ֔ע
and be with you till I know
H3045
אֵדַ֔ע
and be with you till I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
17 of 21
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Historical Context
Moab, east of the Dead Sea, had periodic peaceful relations with Israel. David's lineage through Ruth the Moabitess gave him kinship connections. Mizpeh ('watchtower') was likely a fortified location where refugees could be protected.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance personal crisis management with care for vulnerable family members?
- What does 'until I know what God will do for me' teach about patient faith amid uncertainty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.
David's plea to Moab for his parents' protection reveals both prudent planning and family devotion. The Hebrew phrase 'ad asher eda' (until I know) expresses uncertainty about his future while affirming faith in God's sovereign direction. David's Moabite connection through Ruth, his great-grandmother (Ruth 4:17), provided diplomatic grounds for this request. His concern for elderly parents while himself facing mortal danger demonstrates covenant faithfulness—honoring father and mother even amid personal crisis. The phrase 'what God will do for me' maintains theological perspective: David knew God had a plan, even if he could not yet see it.