1 Samuel 22:16

16 But the king said, "You will be executed, Ahimelech—you and all of your father's household!"

1 Samuel 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 22:16

And the king said, thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech
He pronounces the sentence himself, without taking the opinion and advice of others, or further time; which was an act of arbitrary power, and upon an innocent person, which was an act of great injustice: thou, and all thy father's house;
more unrighteous still; but God suffered him to do this to fulfil his will, and execute his threatenings against the house of Eli, which was this priest's father's house, for former wickedness; but this is no excuse for, nor extenuation of the sin of, Saul.

1 Samuel 22:16 In-Context

14 Ahimelech answered the king, "Out of all your servants, who is as trustworthy as David? He is the king's son-in-law, does whatever you ask, and is well respected in your house.

15 Was that the first time I questioned God for him? Of course not! But please, the king shouldn't accuse me, his servant, or anyone in my father's household of any wrongdoing, because your servant knew nothing whatsoever about this matter."

16 But the king said, "You will be executed, Ahimelech—you and all of your father's household!"

17 The king ordered the guards waiting on him: "Go ahead and kill the LORD's priests because they've joined up with David too. They knew he was on the run but didn't inform me." But the king's servants were unwilling to lift a hand to attack the LORD's priests.

18 The king then ordered Doeg, "Doeg! You go attack the priests." So Doeg the Edomite went and attacked the priests, killing eighty-five men who wore the linen priestly vest that day.