1 Samuel 22:11-19

New English Translation

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 gave^[a] him bread and a sword and inquired of God on his behalf, so that he opposes^[b] 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 accuse^[c] his servant or any of my father’s house, for your servant is not aware of all this—not in whole or in part!”^[d]

¹⁶ But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!” ¹⁷ Then the king said to the messengers^[e] who were stationed beside him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, for they too have sided^[f] with David. They knew he was fleeing, but they did not inform me.” But the king’s servants refused to harm^[g] 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-five^[h] men who wore the linen ephod. ¹⁹ As for Nob, the city of the priests, Doeg struck down men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep—all with the sword.