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1 Samuel 22 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

David at the Cave of Adullam

1Sa 22:1

1Sa 22:1So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.

1Sa 22:2

1Sa 22:2Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men.

1Sa 22:3

1Sa 22:3Later David went to Mizpeh in Moab, where he asked the king, “Please allow my father and mother to live here with you until I know what God is going to do for me.”

1Sa 22:4

1Sa 22:4So David’s parents stayed in Moab with the king during the entire time David was living in his stronghold.

1Sa 22:5

1Sa 22:5One day the prophet Gad told David, “Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah.” So David went to the forest of Hereth.

1Sa 22:6

1Sa 22:6The news of his arrival in Judah soon reached Saul. At the time, the king was sitting beneath the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, holding his spear and surrounded by his officers.

1Sa 22:7

1Sa 22:7“Listen here, you men of Benjamin!” Saul shouted to his officers when he heard the news. “Has that son of Jesse promised every one of you fields and vineyards? Has he promised to make you all generals and captains in his army?[fn]

1Sa 22:8

1Sa 22:8Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you told me when my own son made a solemn pact with the son of Jesse. You’re not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son—encouraging him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day!”

1Sa 22:9

1Sa 22:9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing there with Saul’s men, spoke up. “When I was at Nob,” he said, “I saw the son of Jesse talking to the priest, Ahimelech son of Ahitub.

1Sa 22:10

1Sa 22:10Ahimelech consulted the LORD for him. Then he gave him food and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
The Slaughter of the Priests

1Sa 22:11

1Sa 22:11King Saul immediately sent for Ahimelech and all his family, who served as priests at Nob.

1Sa 22:12

1Sa 22:12When they arrived, Saul shouted at him, “Listen to me, you son of Ahitub!”
“What is it, my king?” Ahimelech asked.

1Sa 22:13

1Sa 22:13“Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me?” Saul demanded. “Why did you give him food and a sword? Why have you consulted God for him? Why have you encouraged him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day?”

1Sa 22:14

1Sa 22:14“But sir,” Ahimelech replied, “is anyone among all your servants as faithful as David, your son-in-law? Why, he is the captain of your bodyguard and a highly honored member of your household!

1Sa 22:15

1Sa 22:15This was certainly not the first time I had consulted God for him! May the king not accuse me and my family in this matter, for I knew nothing at all of any plot against you.”

1Sa 22:16

1Sa 22:16“You will surely die, Ahimelech, along with your entire family!” the king shouted.

1Sa 22:17

1Sa 22:17And he ordered his bodyguards, “Kill these priests of the LORD, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, but they didn’t tell me!” But Saul’s men refused to kill the LORD’s priests.

1Sa 22:18

1Sa 22:18Then the king said to Doeg, “You do it.” So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments.

1Sa 22:19

1Sa 22:19Then he went to Nob, the town of the priests, and killed the priests’ families—men and women, children and babies—and all the cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats.

1Sa 22:20

1Sa 22:20Only Abiathar, one of the sons of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to David.

1Sa 22:21

1Sa 22:21When he told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD,

1Sa 22:22

1Sa 22:22David exclaimed, “I knew it! When I saw Doeg the Edomite there that day, I knew he was sure to tell Saul. Now I have caused the death of all your father’s family.

1Sa 22:23

1Sa 22:23Stay here with me, and don’t be afraid. I will protect you with my own life, for the same person wants to kill us both.”
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NLT Footnotes
Hebrew commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?
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