1 Samuel 22:14-23

14 1Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, "And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, even the king's son-in-law, who is captain over your guard, and is honored in your house?
15 "Did I just begin 2to inquire of God for him today? Far be it from me! 3Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to any of the household of my father, for your servant knows nothing at all * of this whole affair."
16 But the king said, "You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's household!"
17 And 4the king said to the guards who were attending him, "Turn around and put the priests of the LORD to death, because their hand also is with David and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not reveal * it to me." But the 5servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hands to attack the priests of the LORD.
18 Then the king said to Doeg, "You turn around and attack the priests." And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and 6he killed that day eighty-five men 7who wore the linen ephod.
19 And 8he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants; also oxen, donkeys, and sheep he struck with the edge of the sword.
20 But 9one son of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, 10escaped and fled after David.
21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.
22 Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when 11Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have brought about the death of every person in your father's household.
23 "Stay with me; do not be afraid, for 12he who seeks my life seeks your life, for you are safe with me."

1 Samuel 22:14-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 22

This chapter gives us an account of the flight of David from place to place, from Gath to the cave of Adullam, where his relations came to him; from thence to Mizpeh in Moab, where he got leave of the king of Moab for his father and mother to dwell there; and from thence, by the advice of Gad the prophet, departed into the land of Judah, and came to the forest of Hareth, 1Sa 21:1-5; and of the complaint of Saul to his servants of their unfaithfulness to him, and indolence and unconcern at the behaviour of Jonathan and David to him, 1Sa 22:6-8; when Doeg the Edomite informed him of David being seen by him at Nob, and of his receiving food and a sword from Ahimelech the priest, who inquired of the Lord for him, 1Sa 22:9,10; upon which Saul sent for Ahimelech and all the priests at Nob, and charged them with a conspiracy against him; and notwithstanding the defence the priest made, Saul ordered him and the rest of the priests to be slain by his guards; which they refusing, Doeg became the executioner of them, and of all the inhabitants of the city of Nob, and the cattle in it, 1Sa 22:11-19; only Abiathar a son of Ahimelech escaped and fled to David with the sorrowful news; which greatly affected David, looking upon himself to be the occasion of this sad disaster, and he took Abiathar under his protection, and promised him safety, 1Sa 22:20-23.

Cross References 12

  • 1. 1 Samuel 19:4, 5; 1 Samuel 20:32
  • 2. 2 Samuel 5:19, 23
  • 3. 2 Samuel 19:18, 19
  • 4. 2 Kings 10:25
  • 5. Exodus 1:17
  • 6. 1 Samuel 2:31
  • 7. 1 Samuel 2:18
  • 8. 1 Samuel 15:3
  • 9. 1 Samuel 23:6, 9; 1 Samuel 30:7; 1 Kings 2:26, 27
  • 10. 1 Samuel 23:6
  • 11. 1 Samuel 21:7
  • 12. 1 Kings 2:26

Footnotes 8

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