14. But Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David? He is the son-in-law of the king who moves quickly to safeguard you and is honored in your house.
15. Only today I began to inquire of God for him. Far be it from me that the king should impute anything against his servant or against my father’s household, for your servant has not known any of this matter, little or much.”
16. Then the king said, “You must certainly die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s household!”
17. So the king said to the runners who were stationed around him, “Turn and kill the priests of Yahweh, because they also support David and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not disclose it to me.” But the servants of the king were not willing to raise their hand to attack the priests of Yahweh.
18. Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn and attack the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and attacked the priests himself, and on that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
19. And he put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, from man to woman, from child to infant, and ox and donkey and sheep; all to the sword.
20. But, one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, whose name was Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.
21. Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of Yahweh.
22. Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day that Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would certainly tell Saul. I am responsible for the deaths of all your father’s household!
23. Stay with me! Do not fear, because he who seeks my life seeks your life. You are in good care with me.”