1 Samuel 22

And David departed from there and escaped, and he comes to the cave of Odollam. And his brothers and his father's house hear of it, and they go down to him there.

And everyone in distress, and everyone in debt, and everyone bitter in soul gathered to him; and he became leader over them, and there were with him about four hundred men.

And David departed from there to Massepha of Moab, and said to the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray, be with you, until I know what God will do for me.

And he entreated the face of the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the days that David was in the stronghold.

And Gad the prophet said to David, Do not stay in the stronghold; go, and you shall come into the land of Iouda. And David went and came and dwelt in the city of Sarich.

And Saul heard that David had been discovered, and the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting on the hill, under the tilled field that is in Rama, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing by him.

And Saul said to his servants who stood by him, and said to them, Hear now, sons of Beniamin: will the son of Iessai truly give all of you fields and vineyards, and appoint you all commanders of hundreds and commanders of thousands?

For you have all conspired against me, and there is none who uncovers my ear when my son makes a covenant with the son of Iessai; and there is none of you who grieves for me and uncovers my ear, that my son has stirred up my servant against me as an enemy, as at this day.

And Doek the Syrian, who was set over Saul's mules, answered and said, I have seen the son of Iessai coming to Nomba, to Abimelech son of Achitob the priest.

And he inquired of God for him, and gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliad the Philistine.

And the king sent to call Abimelech son of Achitob, and all his father's sons, the priests who were in Nomba; and they all came to the king.

And Saul said, Hear now, son of Achitob. And he said, Here I am; speak, my lord.

And Saul said to him, Why did you conspire against me, you and the son of Iessai, that you gave him bread and a sword, and inquired of God for him, to set him against me as an enemy, as at this day?

And he answered the king and said, And who among all your servants is faithful like David? He is the king's son-in-law, and ruler over all your command, and honoured in your house.

Is it today that I have begun to inquire of God for him? By no means. Let not the king lay a charge against his servant, nor upon all my father's house; for your servant knew nothing in all this, small matter or great.

And king Saul said, You shall surely die, Abimelech, you and all your father's house.

And the king said to the runners who stood about him, Come forward and put to death the priests of the Lord, because their hand is with David, and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not uncover my ear. But the king's servants would not lift their hands to fall upon the priests of the Lord.

And the king said to Doek, Turn, and fall upon the priests. And Doek the Syrian turned and put to death the priests of the Lord on that day, three hundred and five men, all who wore the ephod.

And Nomba, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, from man to woman, from child to nursing infant, and ox and donkey and sheep.

But one son of Abimelech son of Achitob escaped, and his name was Abiathar; and he fled after David.

And Abiathar told David that Saul had put to death all the priests of the Lord.

And David said to Abiathar, I knew on that day that Doek the Syrian would surely report it to Saul. I am the cause of the death of the souls of your father's house.

Stay with me, do not fear; for wherever I seek a place for my life, I will seek one for your life also; for you are kept safe with me.