I Samuel

David departed from there and escaped to the caveacave The “cave” in v. 1 is referred to as “stronghold” in vv. 4–5; cf. the same variation in 2 Sam. 23.13–14; 1 Chron. 11.15–16. of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s house heard, they joined him down there.

Everyone who was in straits and everyone who was in debt and everyone who was desperate joined him, and he became their leader; there were about four hundred men with him.

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

So he led them tobled them to Targum and Syriac read “left them with.” the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David remained in the stronghold.cstronghold See note at v. 1.

But the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; go at once to the territory of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

When Saul heard that David and the men with him had been located—Saul was then in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the height, spear in hand, with all his courtiers in attendance upon him—

Saul said to the courtiers standing about him, “Listen, Benjaminites! Will the son of Jessedthe son of Jesse See note at 10.11. give fields and vineyards to every one of you? And will he make all of you captains of thousands or captains of hundreds?

Is that why all of you have conspired against me? For no one informs me when my own son makes a pact with the son of Jesse; no one is concernedeconcerned For this meaning of ḥoleh, cf. Amos 6.6. for me and no one informs me when my own son has set my servant in ambushfin ambush Septuagint reads “as an enemy.” against me, as is now the case.”

Doeg the Edomite, who was standing among the courtiers of Saul, spoke up: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

He inquired of GOD on his behalf and gave him provisions; he also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

Thereupon the king sent for the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and for all the priests belonging to his father’s house at Nob. They all came to the king,

and Saul said, “Listen to me, son of Ahitub.”gson of Ahitub Cf. note at 10.11. “Yes, my lord,” he replied.

And Saul said to him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him food and a sword, and inquired of God for him—that he may rise in ambushhin ambush Septuagint reads “as an enemy.” against me, as is now the case.”

Ahimelech replied to the king, “But who is there among all your courtiers as trusted as David, son-in-law of Your Majesty and obedient to your bidding,iobedient to your bidding Cf. Isa. 11.14; but meaning of Heb. uncertain. and esteemed in your household?

This is the first time that I inquired of God for him; I have done no wrong.jI have done no wrong Lit. “Far be it from me!” Let not Your Majesty find fault with his servant [or] with any of my father’s house; for your servant knew nothing whatever about all this.”

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

And the king commanded the guards standing by, “Turn about and kill the priests of GOD, for they are in league with David; they knew he was running away and they did not inform me.” But the king’s servants would not raise a hand to strike down the priests of GOD.

Thereupon the king said to Doeg, “You, Doeg, go and strike down the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite went and struck down the priests himself; that day, he killed eighty-five of those who wore the linen ephod.kwho wore the linen ephod Septuagint reads “bearers of the ephod”; cf. note at 2.28.

He put Nob, the town of the priests, to the sword: men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep—[all] to the sword.

But one son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped—his name was Abiathar—and he fled to David.

When Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of GOD,

David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would tell Saul. I am to blame for all the deathslam to blame for all the deaths Meaning of Heb. uncertain. in your father’s house.

Stay with me; do not be afraid; for whoever seeks your life must seek my life also.mwhoever seeks your life must seek my life also Meaning of Heb. uncertain. It will be my care to guard you.”