22:1 Then David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and all his father’s household learned about it, they went down there to him. 22:2 All those who were in trouble or who owed someone money or who were discontented¹ gathered themselves to him, and he became their leader. He had about four hundred men with him.

22:3 Then David went from there to Mizpah in Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay² with you until I know what God is going to do for me.” 22:4 So he had them stay with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time³ that David was in the stronghold. 22:5 Then Gad the prophet said to David, “Don’t stay in the stronghold. Go to the land of Judah.” So David left and came to the forest of Hereth.

22:6 But Saul heard that the whereabouts of David and the men who were with him was 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. 22:7 Saul said to his servants who were stationed around him, “Listen up, you Benjamites! Will Jesse’s son give fields and vineyards to all of you? Or will he appoint all of you⁴ as leaders of thousands and leaders of hundreds? 22:8 For all of you have conspired against me, and no one informs me⁵ when my own son enters into an agreement with this son of Jesse. Not one of you is sorry for me or informs me that my own son has established my servant against me as one who lies in wait, as is today the case.”

22:9 But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with the servants of Saul, responded, “I seen this son of Jesse come to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub at Nob. 22:10 He inquired of the LORD for him, and he gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

22:11 Then the king sent to meet the priest Ahimelech the son of Ahitub and all the priests of the house of his father who were at Nob. They all came to the king. 22:12 Then Saul said, “Listen, son of Ahitub.” He replied, “Here I am, my lord.” 22:13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and this son of Jesse, by giving him bread, a sword, by inquiring of God in his behalf, so that he opposes me and lies in wait, as is the case today?”

22:14 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. 22:15 Was it just today that I began to inquire of God in his behalf? Far be it from me! Let not the king attribute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father. For your servant is not aware of all this—not in whole nor in part.”⁶

22:16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house! 22:17 Then the king said to the runners who were stationed beside him, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD. For they too have sided⁷ with David. They knew that he was fleeing, but they did not inform me.” But the king’s servants refused to strike out against the priests of the LORD.

22:18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn and strike the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests. He killed on that day eighty-five⁸ men who wore the linen ephod. 22:19 As for Nob the city of the priests, he struck down by the sword both men and women, children and suckling infants, ox, donkey, and sheep—all by the sword.

22:20 But one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub escaped and fled to David. His name was Abiathar. 22:21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. 22:22 Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew at that time when Doeg the Edomite was there that he would without fail tell Saul. I am guilty⁹ of all the deaths in your father’s house. 22:23 Stay with me. Don’t be fearful. The same one who seeks my life is seeking your life as well. You are secure with me.”