1 Samuel 22

1 Dawid therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam; and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.

2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them; and there were with him about four hundred men.

3 And Dawid went thence to Mizpeh of Moav; and he said unto the king of Moav, “Please let my father and my mother come forth, and be with you, till I know what God (Elohim) will do for me.”

4 And he brought them before the king of Moav; and they dwelt with him all the while that Dawid was in the hold.

5 And the prophet Gad said unto Dawid, “Abide not in the hold; depart, and get you into the land of Judah (Yehudah).” Then Dawid departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.

6 When Saul heard that Dawid was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, “Hear now, you Benjamites (Ben-yemini)! Will the son of Jesse (Yishai) give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

8 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse (Yishai), and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?”

9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, and said, “I saw the son of Jesse (Yishai) coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

10 And he enquired of יהוה for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest (kohen), the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests (kohanim) that were in Nob; and they came all of them to the king.

12 And Saul said, “Hear now, you son of Ahitub!” And he answered, “Here I am, my lord (adoni).”

13 And Saul said unto him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse (Yishai), in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God (Elohim) for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?”

14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, “And who is so faithful among all your servants as Dawid, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at your bidding, and is honourable in your house?

15 Did I then begin to enquire of God (Elohim) for him? Be it far from me; let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for your servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.”

16 And the king said, “You shalt surely die, Ahimelech, you, and all your father’s house.”

17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, “Turn, and slay the priests (kohanim) of יהוה; because their hand also is with Dawid, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me.” But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests (kohanim) of יהוה.

18 And the king said to Doeg, “Turn you, and fall upon the priests (kohanim).” And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests (kohanim), and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

19 And Nob, the city of the priests (kohanim), smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Aviyahthar, escaped, and fled after Dawid.

21 And Aviyahthar shewed Dawid that Saul had slain יהוה’s priests (kohanim).

22 And Dawid said unto Aviyahthar, “I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul; I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father’s house.

23 Abide you with me; fear not, for he that seeketh my life seeketh your life; but with me you shalt be in safeguard.”