CHAPTER 22
So David
left
Gath
and took refuge
in
the cave
of Adullam.
When his brothers
and the rest of
his father's
household
heard about it,
they went down
to him
there.
And all
who were distressed
or
indebted
or discontented
rallied
around him,
and he became
their
leader.
About four
hundred
men
were
with him.
From there
David
went
to Mizpeh
of Moab,
where he said
to
the king
of Moab,
“Please
let my father
and mother
stay
with you
until
I learn
what
God
will do
for me.”
So he left
them in
the care
of the king
of Moab,
and they stayed
with
him the whole
time
David
was
in the stronghold.
Then the prophet
Gad
said
to
David,
“Do not
stay
in the stronghold.
Depart
and go
into the land
of Judah.”
So David
left
and went
to the forest
of Hereth.
Soon Saul
learned
that
David
and his men
had been discovered.
At that time, Saul
was in Gibeah,
sitting
under
the tamarisk tree
on the hill at Gibeah,
with his spear
in his hand
and all
his servants
standing
around him.
Then Saul
said
to his servants,
“Listen,
men
of Benjamin!
Is the son
of Jesse
giving
all
of you fields
and vineyards
and making
you
commanders
of thousands
or
hundreds?
Is that why all
of you have conspired
against me?
Not one of you
told
me that
my own son
had made a covenant
with
Jesse’s
son.
Not one
of you
has shown concern
for me
or revealed
to me
that
my son
has stirred up
my own servant
to lie in wait
against me,
as is the case today."
But Doeg
the Edomite,
who
had stationed himself
with
Saul’s
servants,
answered:
“I saw
the son
of Jesse
come
to
Ahimelech
son
of Ahitub
at Nob.
Ahimelech inquired
of the LORD
for him
and gave
him
provisions.
He also gave
him
the sword
of Goliath
the Philistine.”
Then the king
sent
messengers to summon
Ahimelech
the priest,
the son
of Ahitub,
and his father’s
whole
family,
who
were priests
at Nob.
And all
of them came
to
the king.
And Saul
asked
him,
“Why
have you
and the son
of Jesse
conspired
against me?
You gave
him
bread
and a sword
and inquired
of God
for him
so that he could rise up
against me
to lie in wait,
as he is doing today.”
Ahimelech
answered
the king,
“Who
among all
your servants
is as faithful
as David,
the king’s
son-in-law,
captain
of
your bodyguard,
who is honored
in your house?
Was that day
the first
time I inquired
of God
for him?
Far be it
from me!
Let not
the king
accuse
your servant
or any
of my father’s
household,
for
your servant
knew
nothing
of this
whole
affair;
not in part
or
in whole."
Then the king
ordered
the guards
at his side,
“Turn
and kill
the priests
of the LORD,
because
they too
sided with
David.
For
they knew
he
was fleeing,
but they did not
tell
me.”
But the king’s
servants
would
not
lift
a hand
to strike
the priests
of the LORD.
So the king
ordered
Doeg,
“You
turn
and strike down
the priests!”
And Doeg
the Edomite
turned
and struck down
the priests
himself.
On that
day
he killed
eighty-five
men
who wore
the linen
ephod.
He also put
to the sword
Nob,
the city
of the priests,
with its men
and
women,
children
and
infants,
oxen,
donkeys,
and sheep.
But one
of the sons
of Ahimelech
son
of Ahitub
escaped.
His name
was Abiathar,
and he fled
to
David.
Then 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.
Stay
with me;
do not
be afraid,
for
he who
seeks
your life
is seeking
mine as well.
You
will be safe
with me.”