1 So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s familytn Heb “house.” learned about it, they went down there to him.

2 All those who were in trouble or owed someone money or were discontentedtn Heb “bitter of soul.” gathered aroundtn Heb “to.” him, and he became their leader. He had about four hundred men with him.

3 Then David went from there to Mizpah in Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother staytn Heb “go forth.” with you until I know what God is going to do for me.”

4 So he had them stay with the king of Moab; they stayed with him the whole timetn Heb “all the days.” that David was in the stronghold.

5 Then Gad the prophet said to David, “Don’t stay in the stronghold. Go to the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

6 But Saul found out the whereabouts of David and the men who were with him.tn Heb “and Saul heard that David and the men who were with him were known.” Now Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree at an elevated location with his spear in hand and all his servants stationed around him.

7 Saul said to his servants who were stationed around him, “Listen up, you Benjaminites! Is Jesse’s son giving fields and vineyards to all of you? Or is he making all of youtc The MT has “to all of you.” If this reading is correct, we have here an example of a prepositional phrase functioning as the equivalent of a dative of advantage, which is not impossible from a grammatical point of view. However, the LXX, the Syriac Peshitta, and Vulgate all have “and.” A conjunction rather than a preposition should probably be read on the front of this phrase. commanders and officers?tn Heb “officers of a thousand and officers of a hundred.”

8 For all of you have conspired against me! No one informs metn Heb “uncovers my ear.” when my own son makes an agreement with this son of Jesse! Not one of you feels sorry for me or informs me that my own son has commissioned my own servant to hide in ambush against me, as is the case today!”

9 But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with the servants of Saul, replied, “I saw this son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

10 He inquired of the Lord for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

11 Then the king arranged for a meeting with the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and all the priests of his father’s house who were at Nob. They all came to the king.

12 Then Saul said, “Listen, son of Ahitub.” He replied, “Here I am, my lord.”

13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and this son of Jesse? You gavetn Heb “by giving.” him bread and a sword and inquired of God on his behalf, so that he opposestn Heb “rises up against.” me and waits in ambush, as is the case today!”

14 Ahimelech replied to the king, “Who among all your servants is faithful like David? He is the king’s son-in-law, the leader of your bodyguard, and honored in your house!

15 Was it just today that I began to inquire of God on his behalf? Far be it from me! The king should not accusetn Heb “set a matter against.” his servant or any of my father’s house. For your servant is not aware of all this – not in whole or in part!”tn Heb “small or great.”

16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!

17 Then the king said to the messengerstn Heb “runners.” who were stationed beside him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, for they too have sidedtn Heb “their hand is.” with David! They knew he was fleeing, but they did not inform me.” But the king’s servants refused to harmtn Heb “to extend their hand to harm.” the priests of the Lord.

18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests. He killed on that day eighty-fivetc The number is confused in the Greek ms tradition. The LXX, with the exception of the Lucianic recension, has the number 305. The Lucianic recension, along with a couple of Old Latin mss, has the number 350. men who wore the linen ephod.

19 As for Nob, the city of the priests, he struck down with the sword men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep – all with the sword.

20 But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped and fled to David. His name was Abiathar.

21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.

22 Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day when Doeg the Edomite was there that he would certainly tell Saul! I am guiltytc The translation follows the LXX, which reads “I am guilty,” rather than the MT, which has “I have turned.” of all the deaths in your father’s house!

23 Stay with me. Don’t be afraid! Whoevertn Or “the one who.” This may refer specifically to Saul, in which case David acknowledges that Abiathar’s life is endangered because of his allegiance to David. The translation assumes that the statement is more generalized, meaning that any enemy of Abiathar is an enemy of David. In other words, David promises that he will protect Abiathar with his very own life. seeks my life is seeking your life as well. You are secure with me.”