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.
19. He put the whole priestly city of Nob to the sword: men and women, children and infants, even oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
20. But one of the sons of Ahimelech, Ahitub’s son, escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.
21. Abiathar reported to David that Saul had slaughtered the Lord’s priests.
22. David told Abiathar, "That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew that he would tell Saul everything. I am to blame for the deaths in your father’s family.
23. Stay with me, and don’t be afraid. The one who seeks my life now seeks yours too. But you’ll be safe with me."