1So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave at Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his family heard about it, they went down to him there.
2People who were in trouble, in debt, or bitter about life gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
3From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, 'Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God is going to do for me.'
4So his parents lived with the king of Moab the entire time David was in his fortress hideout.
5But the prophet Gad told David, 'Don't stay in the fortress. Go back to the land of Judah.' So David went and settled in the forest of Hereth.
6When Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered (Saul was sitting in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree on the hill with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him),
7he said to them, 'Listen, men of Benjamin! Do you think Jesse's son will give fields and vineyards to all of you? Will he make you all commanders of thousands and hundreds?'
8'Is that why every one of you has conspired against me? Not one of you told me when my own son made a deal with Jesse's son! None of you cares enough to tell me that my son has turned my servant against me, as is happening right now!'
9Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul's servants, spoke up: 'I saw Jesse's son come to Nob and meet with Ahimelech son of Ahitub.'
10'Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.'
11The king sent for Ahimelech son of Ahitub and all his father's priestly family from Nob, and they all came before the king.
12Saul said, 'Listen to me, son of Ahitub.' 'Yes, my lord,' he replied.
13Saul accused him, 'Why have you and Jesse's son conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword, and inquired of God for him, so that he could rise against me and ambush me, as he is doing today!'
14Ahimelech answered the king, 'Who among all your servants is as faithful as David — the king's own son-in-law, your own bodyguard, and a man of high honor in your household?'
15'Is today the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Please do not blame me or my father's family, for I knew nothing about any of this.'
16But the king said, 'You will certainly die, Ahimelech — you and your entire family!'
17Then Saul ordered his guards, 'Turn and kill these priests of the LORD! They have sided with David — they knew he was fleeing and didn't tell me!' But Saul's officials refused to lift their hands against the priests of the LORD.
18So the king commanded Doeg, 'You do it.' Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
19He also put the sword to Nob, the priests' town — killing men and women, children and infants, cattle, donkeys, and sheep.
20But one of Ahimelech's sons — Abiathar — escaped and fled to David.
21He reported to David that Saul had killed all of the LORD's priests.
22David said to Abiathar, 'I knew it that day when Doeg the Edomite was there — I realized he would certainly report to Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family.'
23'Stay with me. Don't be afraid. The man who wants to kill me also wants to kill you. You will be safe with me.'