13. Saul demanded, “Why did you plot against me with that son of Jesse? You helped him rebel against me by giving him food and a sword, and by talking with God for him. Now he's trying to ambush me!”
14. “Your Majesty, none of your officers is more loyal than David!” Ahimelech replied. “He's your son-in-law and the captain of your bodyguard. Everyone in your family respects him.
15. This isn't the first time I've talked with God for David, and it's never made you angry before! Please don't accuse me or my family like this. I have no idea what's going on!”
16. “Ahimelech,” Saul said, “you and your whole family are going to die.”
17. Saul shouted to his bodyguards, “These priests of the Lord helped David! They knew he was running away, but they didn't tell me. Kill them!”But the king's officers would not attack the priests of the Lord.
18. Saul turned to Doeg, who was from Edom, and said, “Kill the priests!”On that same day, Doeg killed eighty-five priests.
19. Then he attacked the town of Nob, where the priests had lived, and he killed everyone there—men, women, children, and babies. He even killed their cattle, donkeys, and sheep.
20. Ahimelech's son Abiathar was the only one who escaped. He ran to David
21. and told him, “Saul has murdered the priests at Nob!”
22. David answered, “That day when I saw Doeg, I knew he would tell Saul! Your family died because of me.
23. Stay here. Isn't the same person trying to kill both of us? Don't worry! You'll be safe here with me.”