14. Ahimelech replied to the king: “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and honored in your house.
15. Was today the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Please don’t let the king make an accusation against your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant didn’t have any idea about all this.”
16. But the king said, “You will die, Ahimelech — you and your father’s whole family! ”
17. Then the king ordered the guards standing by him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord because they sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they didn’t tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to execute the priests of the Lord.
18. So the king said to Doeg, “Go and execute the priests! ” So Doeg the Edomite went and executed the priests himself. On that day, he killed 85 men who wore linen ephods.
19. He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword — both men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
20. However, one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.
21. Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.