1 Samuel 22

1So David went from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and all his father's household heard, they went down there to him.

2And everyone in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone bitter in soul gathered to him, and he became commander over them. About four hundred men were with him.

3Then David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother come out and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.”

4He brought them before the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the days that David was in the stronghold.

5Then Gad the prophet said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go and come for yourself to the land of Judah.” So David went and came to the forest of Hereth.

6Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had become known. Now Saul was sitting at Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the height, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.

7Then Saul said to his servants who were standing around him, “Listen, please, sons of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse also give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?”

8For all of you have conspired against me, and no one informs me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and none of you is grieved for me or informs me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in wait, as at this day.

9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing among Saul’s servants, answered and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech son of Ahitub.”

10And he inquired of Yahweh for him, and gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

11Then the king sent to summon Ahimelech son of Ahitub the priest, and all his father's house, the priests who were at Nob; and they all came to the king.

12Then Saul said, “Listen, please, son of Ahitub.” And he answered, “Here I am, my lord.”

13Saul said to him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, by giving him bread and a sword and by inquiring of God for him, so that he has risen against me to lie in wait, as on this day?”

14Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, who has access to your council, and is honored in your house?”

15Was today the first time that I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all my father’s house, for your servant knew nothing of all this, whether small or great.

16But the king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house.”

17Then the king said to the runners who were standing around him, “Turn and kill the priests of Yahweh, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not disclose it to me.” But the king’s servants were not willing to put out their hand to strike the priests of Yahweh.

18Then the king said to Doeg, “Turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and on that day he put to death eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod.

19And Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, from man to woman, from child to nursing infant, and ox and donkey and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

20But one son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped, and his name was Abiathar, and he fled after David.

21Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of Yahweh.

22David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am responsible for all the lives of your father’s house.”

23Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life also, for you are under my protection.