22:4 king of Moab. Although Moab was a traditional enemy of Israel, David had family ties there through his Moabite great-grandmother Ruth (Ruth 4:21,22). Because of Saul’s campaign against David, David’s own family was in jeopardy, and he felt they would be safer out of the country.

22:4 in the hold. The “hold” was the stronghold in the cave of Adullam. Psalm 57 was written while David was in the cave. It was also during this time that three of his mighty men undertook to bring him water from the well at Bethlehem (I Chronicles 11:15-19).