1 Samuel 22:1-13 ▼

1 And David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And his brothers heard it, and all the house of his father, and they went down to him there.

2 And gathered to him every man in distress, and every man who himself was indebted, and everyone bitter in soul, and he was captain over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.

3 And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you?, until that I know what God will do for me.”

4 And he brought them in before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.

5 And Gad the prophet said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart and go into the land of Judah.” And David departed and entered the forest of Hereth.

6 And Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had become known. And Saul was staying in Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height, and his spear was in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.

7 And Saul said to his servants who stood around him, “Listen now, sons of Benjamin! Even to all of you? will the son of Jesse give fields and vineyards, and make you? all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds?

8 For you? have all conspired against me, and there is no one uncovering my ear that my son has cut in with the son of Jesse. And none of you? has shown concern for me or uncovered to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait as this day.”

9 And answered Doeg the Edomite, and he was set over the servants of Saul, and he said, “I saw the son of Jesse going to Nob, to Ahimelech son of Ahitub.

10 And he inquired for him of YHWH, and he gave provisions to him, and the sword of Goliath the Philistine he gave to him.”

11 And the king sent to call Ahimelech son of Ahitub the priest, and all the house of his father, the priests who were in Nob. And they all came to the king.

12 And Saul said, “Hear now, son of Ahitub.” And he answered, “Behold, my lord.”

13 And Saul said to him, “Why have you? conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in your giving to him bread and a sword and inquiring for him of God, that he should rise against me to lie in wait, as this day?”