Common English Bible

1 Samuel 22:14-18 Common English Bible (CEB)

14. Ahimelech answered the king, "Out of all your servants, who is as trustworthy as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, does whatever you ask, and is well respected in your house.

15. Was that the first time I questioned God for him? Of course not! But please, the king shouldn’t accuse me, his servant, or anyone in my father’s household of any wrongdoing, because your servant knew nothing whatsoever about this matter."

16. But the king said, "You will be executed, Ahimelech—you and all of your father’s household!"

17. The king ordered the guards waiting on him: "Go ahead and kill the Lord’s priests because they’ve joined up with David too. They knew he was on the run but didn’t inform me."But the king’s servants were unwilling to lift a hand to attack the Lord’s priests.

18. The king then ordered Doeg, "Doeg! You go attack the priests." So Doeg the Edomite went and attacked the priests, killing eighty-five men who wore the linen priestly vest that day.