| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. | 1David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. |
| 2And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. | 2All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him. |
| 3From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.” | 3From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?" |
| 4So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold. | 4So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold. |
| 5Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart and go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth. | 5But the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth. |
| 6Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him. | 6Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated, spear in hand, under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side. |
| 7Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds? | 7He said to them, "Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? |
| 8Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.” | 8Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today." |
| 9But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. | 9But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul's officials, said, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub at Nob. |
| 10Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” | 10Ahimelek inquired of the LORD for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine." |
| 11Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king. | 11Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all the men of his family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. |
| 12“Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied. | 12Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub." "Yes, my lord," he answered. |
| 13And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.” | 13Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?" |
| 14Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard who is honored in your house? | 14Ahimelek answered the king, "Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? |
| 15Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.” | 15Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father's family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair." |
| 16But the king replied, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!” | 16But the king said, "You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family." |
| 17Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. | 17Then the king ordered the guards at his side: "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me." But the king's officials were unwilling to raise a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. |
| 18So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. | 18The king then ordered Doeg, "You turn and strike down the priests." So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. |
| 19He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. | 19He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep. |
| 20But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David. | 20But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David. |
| 21And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. | 21He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. |
| 22Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house. | 22Then David said to Abiathar, "That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. |
| 23Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.” | 23Stay with me; don't be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me." |
|
