1 Samuel 22:23
New International Version
Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”

New Living Translation
Stay here with me, and don’t be afraid. I will protect you with my own life, for the same person wants to kill us both.”

English Standard Version
Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.”

Berean Standard Bible
Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.”

King James Bible
Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

New King James Version
Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.”

New American Standard Bible
Stay with me; do not be afraid, even though he who is seeking my life is seeking your life. For you are safe with me.”

NASB 1995
“Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, for you are safe with me.”

NASB 1977
“Stay with me, do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life; for you are safe with me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, for you are safe with me.”

Amplified Bible
Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, but you are safe with me.”

Christian Standard Bible
Stay with me. Don’t be afraid, for the one who wants to take my life wants to take your life. You will be safe with me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Stay with me. Don’t be afraid, for the one who wants to take my life wants to take your life. You will be safe with me.”

American Standard Version
Abide thou with me, fear not; for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: for with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

Contemporary English Version
Stay here. Isn't the same person trying to kill both of us? Don't worry! You'll be safe here with me."

English Revised Version
Abide thou with me, fear not; for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: for with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Stay with me. Don't be afraid. The one who is seeking my life is [also] seeking your life. However, you will be under my protection."

Good News Translation
Stay with me and don't be afraid. Saul wants to kill both you and me, but you will be safe with me."

International Standard Version
Stay with me, and don't be afraid because the one who seeks my life, seeks your life. Indeed, you will be safe with me."

Majority Standard Bible
Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.?

NET Bible
Stay with me. Don't be afraid! Whoever seeks my life is seeking your life as well. You are secure with me."

New Heart English Bible
Stay with me, do not be afraid; for he who seeks my life seeks your life. For with me you shall be in safeguard."

Webster's Bible Translation
Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

World English Bible
Stay with me. Don’t be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. You will be safe with me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
dwell with me; do not fear; for he who seeks my life seeks your life; for you [are my] charge with me.”

Young's Literal Translation
dwell with me; fear not; for he who seeketh my life seeketh thy life; for a charge art thou with me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Dwell with me, thou shalt not fear: for who shall seek my soul will seek thy soul: for thou being watched with me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life, seeketh thy life also, and with me thou shalt be saved.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You should remain with me. Do not be afraid. For he who seeks my life, seeks your life also, but with me you shall be saved.”

New American Bible
Stay with me. Do not be afraid; whoever seeks your life must seek my life also. You are under my protection.”

New Revised Standard Version
Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the one who seeks my life seeks your life; you will be safe with me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Abide with me; fear not; for he that seeks my life seeks your life also, but with me you shall be protected.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Stay with me and do not fear, because he who seeks my life seeks also your life, because The Protector is with me”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Abide thou with me, fear not; for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life; for with me thou shalt be in safeguard.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Dwell with me; fear not, for wherever I shall seek a place of safety for my life, I will also seek a place for thy life, for thou art safely guarded while with me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Slays the Priests of Nob
22Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house. 23Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.”

Cross References
Psalm 56:11
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. / I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Matthew 10:28-31
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. / Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ...

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Psalm 46:1-2
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. / Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


Treasury of Scripture

Abide you with me, fear not: for he that seeks my life seeks your life: but with me you shall be in safeguard.

he that seeketh

1 Kings 2:26
And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.

Matthew 24:9
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

but with me

John 10:28-30
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand…

John 17:12
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

John 18:9
That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

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Abide Afraid Charge Designs Dwell Keeping Life Safe Safeguard Safekeeping Seeketh Seeking Seeks
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Abide Afraid Charge Designs Dwell Keeping Life Safe Safeguard Safekeeping Seeketh Seeking Seeks
1 Samuel 22
1. Companies resort unto David at Adullam
3. At Mizpeh he commends his parents unto the king of Moab
5. Admonished by Gad, he comes to Hareth,
6. Saul going to pursue him, complains of his servants' unfaithfulness
9. Doeg accuses Ahimelech
11. Saul commands to kill the priests
17. The footmen refusing, Doeg executes it
20. Abiathar escaping, brings David the news














Stay with me;
David, the future king of Israel, is speaking to Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, who has escaped the massacre of the priests at Nob. This invitation to stay signifies a place of refuge and protection. David, though on the run himself, offers sanctuary, reflecting the biblical theme of God as a refuge (Psalm 46:1). This also foreshadows Christ's invitation to all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28).

do not be afraid,
David reassures Abiathar not to fear, despite the danger they both face. This echoes God's frequent command to His people throughout Scripture, such as in Joshua 1:9, where God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. It highlights the importance of faith and trust in God's protection, even in perilous times.

for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well.
Saul, the current king, is the one seeking both David's and Abiathar's lives. This shared threat creates a bond between David and Abiathar. It reflects the broader biblical narrative of shared suffering among God's people and the unity it can bring, as seen in the early church's experiences in Acts. It also prefigures the persecution faced by Christ and His followers, as Jesus warned in John 15:20.

You will be safe with me.”
David promises safety to Abiathar, despite his own precarious situation. This assurance is a type of Christ, who offers ultimate safety and salvation to those who come to Him (John 10:28-29). David's role as a protector here is a shadow of Christ's role as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is currently fleeing from King Saul. David is a central figure in this passage, offering protection and assurance to Abiathar.

2. Abiathar
The son of Ahimelech, the priest who was killed by Saul. Abiathar escapes the massacre at Nob and seeks refuge with David.

3. Saul
The current king of Israel, who is pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. Saul's actions lead to the slaughter of the priests at Nob.

4. Nob
A city of priests where Saul orders the massacre of the priests, including Ahimelech, Abiathar's father.

5. Doeg the Edomite
Saul's servant who carries out the massacre at Nob, leading to Abiathar's escape.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Protection
Just as David assures Abiathar of safety, believers can trust in God's protection amidst life's dangers. Our refuge is in God, who is our ultimate protector.

Shared Suffering and Solidarity
David and Abiathar share a common enemy in Saul. This teaches us the importance of standing together with fellow believers in times of trial, offering support and encouragement.

Leadership and Responsibility
David takes responsibility for Abiathar's safety, demonstrating the role of a godly leader who cares for those under his charge. Leaders today should emulate this protective and caring attitude.

Courage in the Face of Fear
Despite the danger, David encourages Abiathar not to be afraid. As Christians, we are called to face our fears with courage, knowing that God is with us.

The Consequences of Sin
Saul's disobedience and jealousy lead to tragic consequences, including the massacre at Nob. This serves as a warning about the far-reaching effects of sin and the importance of obedience to God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Stay
שְׁבָ֤ה (šə·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

with me;
אִתִּי֙ (’it·tî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be afraid,
תִּירָ֔א (tî·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

for
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

seeks
יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ (yə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

your life
נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ (nap̄·še·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

is seeking
יְבַקֵּ֥שׁ (yə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

mine [as well].
נַפְשִׁ֖י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

You
אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

will be safe
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

with me.”
עִמָּדִֽי׃ (‘im·mā·ḏî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5978: Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto,


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OT History: 1 Samuel 22:23 Abide you with me don't be afraid (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 22:22
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