David Flees to Adullam and Mizpeh
(Psalms 57:1–11; Psalms 142:1–7)
So 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. Psa 57:1-111Ch 11:15Psa 142:1-7Psa 34:1Heb 11:38Jos 12:151Sa 21:10-152Sa 23:13-14 And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. Mat 11:28Psa 72:12-141Sa 1:101Sa 25:131Sa 30:22-241Sa 30:61Sa 25:15-161Sa 23:13
From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay 1with you until I learn what God will do for me.” 1Sa 14:471Sa 3:182Sa 15:25-26Exo 20:12Gen 47:11Jdg 11:29Mat 15:4-6Php 2:23-24 So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold. Psa 11:11Ch 12:161Ch 21:91Ch 29:291Sa 23:1-62Ch 29:252Sa 23:13-142Sa 24:11
Then 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. 1Ch 21:91Ch 29:292Ch 29:252Sa 24:11
Saul Slays the Priests of Nob
(Psalms 52:1–9)
Soon 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. 1Sa 18:101Sa 19:91Sa 20:33Gen 21:33Jdg 4:5
Then 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? 1Ki 12:161Sa 8:14-151Sa 18:141Sa 20:271Sa 20:301Sa 22:131Sa 22:91Sa 25:10 Is 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.” 1Sa 18:31Sa 23:211Sa 20:13-171Sa 20:21Sa 20:30-341Sa 20:421Sa 20:81Sa 23:16-18
But 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. Psa 52:1-91Sa 14:31Sa 21:1-15Ezk 22:9Mat 26:59-61Pro 19:5Pro 29:12 Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” Num 27:211Sa 23:21Sa 23:41Sa 30:81Sa 10:221Sa 21:6-91Sa 22:131Sa 22:15
Then 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. Rom 3:15 “Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. 1Sa 22:131Sa 22:72Sa 9:6Isa 65:1
“Here I am, my lord,” he replied.
And 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.” 1Sa 22:8Amo 7:10Luk 23:2-5Psa 119:69
Ahimelech 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? 1Sa 19:4-51Sa 20:321Sa 17:251Sa 18:131Sa 18:271Sa 21:21Sa 22:131Sa 24:11 Was 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.” 1Pe 3:16-171Sa 25:362Co 1:122Sa 15:11Gen 20:5-6
But the king replied, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!” Pro 28:151Ki 18:41Ki 19:21Sa 14:441Sa 20:31Act 12:19Dan 2:12Dan 2:5
Then 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.” Exo 1:171Sa 14:452Ki 1:13-141Ki 1:51Ki 18:41Sa 20:331Sa 22:131Sa 25:17
But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.
So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” Act 26:10-111Sa 2:181Sa 2:281Sa 2:361Sa 3:12-142Ch 24:21Exo 28:40Hos 5:11
And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. 1Sa 15:3Jas 2:131Sa 15:91Sa 21:11Sa 22:111Sa 22:9Hos 10:14Isa 10:32
But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David. 1Sa 23:61Sa 30:71Ki 2:26-271Sa 2:331Sa 23:91Sa 4:12Job 1:192Sa 20:25 And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.
Then 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. 1Sa 21:1-9Psa 44:22 Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.” Jhn 10:28-301Ki 2:26Heb 12:1-3Jhn 18:9Jhn 15:20Jhn 17:12Mat 24:9Jhn 16:2-3