1 Samuel 22
The Distressed and Indebted Gathered to Him
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The Cave of Adullam
22:1David went from there and escaped, and he came to the cave of Adullam. His brothers and his father’s house heard, and they went down to him there.
22:2Everyone in need, everyone in debt, and everyone pained in soul gathered to him. He became their leader, and about four hundred men were with him.
22:3David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab and said to Moab’s king, “Please let my father and mother stay with you, until I know what God will do for me.”
22:4He entreated Moab’s king, and they stayed with him all the days David was in the stronghold.
22:5The prophet Gad said to David, “Do not remain in the stronghold. Go, and you will come to the land of Judah.” David went, came, and stayed in the city of Sarich.
Doeg Reports to Saul
22:6Saul heard that David and the men with him had been discovered. Saul was sitting on the hill below the cultivated ground in Ramah, the spear in his hand, and all his servants stood beside him.
22:7Saul said to his servants standing beside him, saying to them, “Listen, please, sons of Benjamin! Will Jesse’s son really give all of you fields and vineyards and appoint all of you commanders of hundreds and commanders of thousands?
22:8For all of you have conspired against me. No one uncovers my ear when my son makes a covenant with Jesse’s son. None of you suffers for me or uncovers my ear that my son has raised my servant against me as an enemy, as on this day.”
22:9Doeg the Syrian, who was appointed over Saul’s mules, answered and said, “I saw Jesse’s son arriving at Nomba, to Abimelech son of Ahitub the priest.
22:10He inquired for him through God, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the foreigner.”
Abimelech Summoned Before the King
22:11The king sent to summon Abimelech son of Ahitub and all the sons of his father, the priests at Nomba. All of them came to the king.
22:12Saul said, “Listen, please, son of Ahitub.” He said, “Here I am. Speak, lord.”
22:13Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and Jesse’s son, by giving him bread and a sword and inquiring for him through God, to set him against me as an enemy, as on this day?”
22:14He answered the king and said, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, commander of all your orders and renowned in your house?
22:15Did I begin inquiring for him through God today? By no means! Let the king lay no charge against his servant or against all my father’s house, for your servant knew nothing of all these things, small or great.”
22:16King Saul said, “You shall surely die, Abimelech, you and all your father’s house.”
The Priests of Nomba Slain
22:17The king said to the runners stationed around him, “Bring them forward and put the Lord’s priests to death, for their hand is with David. They knew that he was fleeing and did not uncover my ear.” But the king’s servants were unwilling to bring their hands against the Lord’s priests.
22:18The king said to Doeg, “You turn and strike the priests.” Doeg the Syrian turned and put the Lord’s priests to death that day: three hundred and five men, all wearing an ephoud.
22:19He struck Nomba, the priests’ city, with the sword’s edge: men and women, infants and nursing children, calves, donkeys, and sheep.
Abiathar Escapes to David
22:20One son of Abimelech son of Ahitub was saved; his name was Abiathar. He fled after David.
22:21Abiathar told David that Saul had put all the Lord’s priests to death.
22:22David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day that Doeg the Syrian would surely tell Saul. I am responsible for the souls of your father’s house.
22:23Stay with me; do not fear. Wherever I seek a place for my soul, I will seek one for your soul too, for you are protected with me.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.