Psalm 142 · a question people ask
The title says David was "in the cave" (142:1). Which cave?
The title doesn't say. It says only "when he was in the cave" (142:1). 1 Samuel tells of David in two caves while Saul was after him. Once, "David therefore departed from there and escaped to Adullam’s cave" (1 Samuel 22:1). Later, when David was "in the wilderness of En Gedi" (1 Samuel 24:1), Saul came to a cave, and "David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave" (1 Samuel 24:3). Another psalm's title places David in a cave too: "… when he fled from Saul, in the cave" (Psalm 57:1). Neither title names the cave, and 1 Samuel doesn't mention either psalm. The chapter on Psalm 57 asks the same question, and the chapters on 1 Samuel 22 and 24 say the same; these notes don't choose.
The verses
“A contemplation by David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry with my voice to the LORD. With my voice, I ask the LORD for mercy.”
“David therefore departed from there and escaped to Adullam’s cave. When his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.”
“When Saul had returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats. He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave.”
“For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.”