1 Samuel 22:11-23

Slaughter of the Priests

11 The king sent [messengers] to summon Ahimelech the priest, son of Ahitub, and his father's whole family, who were priests in Nob. All of them came to the king.
12 Then Saul said, "Listen, son of Ahitub!" "I'm at your service,[a] my lord," he said.
13 Saul asked him, "Why did you and Jesse's son conspire against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him, so he could rise up against me and wait in ambush, as [is the case] today."
14 Ahimelech replied to the king: "Who among all your servants is as faithful as David?[b] He is the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and honored in your house.
15 Was today the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Please don't let the king make an accusation against your servant or any of my father's household, for your servant didn't have any idea[c] about all this."
16 But the king said, "You will die, Ahimelech-you and your father's whole family!"
17 Then the king ordered the guards standing by him, "Turn and kill the priests of the Lord because they sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they didn't tell me."[d] But the king's servants would not lift a hand to execute the priests of the Lord.
18 So the king said to Doeg, "Go and execute the priests!" So Doeg the Edomite went and executed the priests himself. On that day, he killed 85 men who wore linen ephods.[e]
19 He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword-both men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
20 However, one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.
21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.
22 Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day[f] and that he was sure to report to Saul. I myself am responsible for[g] the lives of everyone in your father's family.
23 Stay with me. Don't be afraid, for the one who wants to take my life wants to take your life. You will be safe with me."

1 Samuel 22:11-23 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.

Footnotes 7

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