Justin Houtz

1 Samuel 22, Revelation 20

DateVersionReading Plan
September 15, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

1 Samuel 22

Observation & Interpretation

1 Sam. 22:1-2 – David went to the cave of Adullam and all his father’s house followed him along with everyone in distress, in debt and bitter in soul; about 400 men.

  • Discontentment with the status quo under Saul influenced man people to join forces with David. See 1 Chron. 12:16–18. (CSB Notes)

1 Sam. 22:5 – The prophet, Gad, told David to go to the land of Judah, so David went into the forest of Horeth.

  • Gad had contact with David at key points in his life (2 Sam. 24:11-14; 1 Chron. 29:29). Land of Judah probably designates Judah’s hill country, since Adullam was part of Judah.

1 Sam. 22:14 – Ahimelech replied to Saul and described David as most faithful of Saul’s servants.

  • Ahimelech begins his defense by pointing out the incontrovertible reality that David has been faithful to Saul and his throne. (FSB)

1 Sam. 22:17-18 – Saul commanded the guard who stood about him to kill the priests of the Lord. They would not comply, so Sul told Doeg the Edomite to kill them, which he did.

  • The Israelite guard would not strike down the priests by the Edomit had no qualms about doing so.
  • Saul orders the deaths of a group of Levites—God’s chosen tribe to fulfill the priestly functions. By doing o, he is virtually indistinguishable from the kings of other nations (compare also 28:3-25)…[Referring to the servants unwilling to kill the priests] Unlike their king, these servants still fear God. (FSB)

1 Sam. 22:22 – David admits that he knew that Doeg being there would result in the death of Ahimelech’s house and takes responsibility.

  • David admits culpability for this tragedy, which testifies to his maturity and difference from Saul. (FSB)

1 Sam. 22:1-23 – There is no message in this passage of an evil spirit. Saul acts as he determines for himself, and the blame for this atrocity is fairly laid on his shoulders. But even these actions are part of God’s plan to further his purposes. (ESVEC – Response)

Revelation 20

Observation & Interpretation

Rev. 20:6 – John speaks that blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection.

  • The resurrection of martyrs before Christ’s earthly reign is called the first resurrection. Since first resurrection implies a second resurrection will follow, some interpreters take the first resurrection to be spiritual only (e.g., being “born again”) in order to maintain the concept of a general bodily resurrection at the end of time. The fifth beatitude (blessed) of the book recognizes the holiness of those in the first resurrection. (CSB Notes)

Rev. 20:1-6 – Amillennialism literally means “no millennium,” but such a label is not the best descriptor of the position. Realized millennialism is better…Amillennialists argue that the millennium began with the resurrection of Jesus and will last until the second coming. (ESVEC – Section Overview)

Rev. 20:7-10 – We are reminded that all sin is ultimately a kind of insanity; it never makes sense. It brings no satisfaction or joy and never succeeds ultimately. Those who trust in the Lord and persevere in faith will have the greatest joys. (ESVEC – Response)

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