13. And Sha’ul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Yishai, by giving him bread and a sword, and have inquired of Elohim for him, to rise against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day?”
14. And Aḥimeleḵ answered the sovereign and said, “And who among all your servants is so trustworthy as Dawiḏ, who is the sovereign’s son-in-law, and has turned aside to your counsel, and is esteemed in your house?
15. “Have I today begun to inquire of Elohim for him? Far be it from me! Let not the sovereign lay a case against his servant, or against any in the house of my father. For your servant knew not of all this, little or much.”
16. And the sovereign said, “You shall certainly die, Aḥimeleḵ, you and all your father’s house!”
17. The sovereign then said to the guards who stood about him, “Turn and put the priests of יהוה to death, because their hand also is with Dawiḏ, and because they knew when he fled and did not reveal it to me.” But the servants of the sovereign would not lift their hands to come against the priests of יהוה.
18. And the sovereign said to Do’ĕg̅, “You turn and come against the priests!” So Do’ĕg̅ the Eḏomite turned and came against the priests, and put to death on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen shoulder garment.
19. And he smote Noḇ, the city of the priests, with the edge of the sword, from men even to women, from children even to nursing infants, and oxen and donkeys and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
20. And one of the sons of Aḥimeleḵ son of Aḥituḇ, named Eḇyathar, escaped and fled after Dawiḏ.
21. And Eḇyathar reported to Dawiḏ that Sha’ul had slain the priests of יהוה.
22. And Dawiḏ said to Eḇyathar, “I knew that day, when Do’ĕg̅ the Eḏomite was there, that he would certainly inform Sha’ul. I am accountable for all the lives of your father’s house.
23. “Remain with me, do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you are safe.”