12. Saul said to Ahimelech, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.”Ahimelech answered, “Yes, master.”
13. Saul said, “Why are you and Jesse’s son against me? You gave him bread and a sword! You prayed to God for him. David has turned against me and is waiting to attack me even now!”
14. Ahimelech answered, “You have no other servant who is as loyal as David, your own son-in-law and captain of your bodyguards. Everyone in your house respects him.
15. That was not the first time I prayed to God for David. Don’t blame me or any of my relatives. I, your servant, know nothing about what is going on.”
16. But the king said, “Ahimelech, you and all your relatives must die!”
17. Then he told the guards at his side, “Go and kill the priests of the Lord, because they are on David’s side. They knew he was running away, but they didn’t tell me.”But the king’s officers refused to kill the priests of the Lord.
18. Then the king ordered Doeg, “Go and kill the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite went and killed the priests. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen holy vest.
19. He also killed the people of Nob, the city of the priests. With the sword he killed men, women, children, babies, cattle, donkeys, and sheep.
20. But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech, who was the son of Ahitub, escaped. He ran away and joined David.
21. He told David that Saul had killed the Lord’s priests.
22. Then David told him, “Doeg the Edomite was there at Nob that day. I knew he would surely tell Saul. So I am responsible for the death of all your father’s family.