Skip to content
Journey Through the Bible

1 Samuel 22:12-23

12 Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.”
“Yes, my lord,” he answered.

13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?”

14 Ahimelech answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?

15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”

16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and your father’s whole family.”

17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.”
But the king’s officials were not willing to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord.

18 The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

19 He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.

20 But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, escaped and fled to join David.

21 He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.

22 Then David said to Abiathar: “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your father’s whole family.

23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me.”

Cross References for 1 Samuel 22:12-23

1 Samuel 22:7 - Saul said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and v... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 22:7 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 22:7

1 Samuel 22:13 - Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him brea... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 22:13 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 22:13

2 Samuel 9:6 - When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him hon... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 9:6 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 9:6

Isaiah 65:1 - Judgment and Salvation “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those... Click to read the verse Isaiah 65:1 Click to read the verse Isaiah 65:1

2 Samuel 1:7 - When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, ‘What can I do?’ Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 1:7 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 1:7

Job 38:35 - Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? Click to read the verse Job 38:35 Click to read the verse Job 38:35

Psalms 94:20 - Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— one that brings on misery by its decrees? Click to read the verse Psalms 94:20 Click to read the verse Psalms 94:20