| Christian Standard Bible | NET Bible |
| 1So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David's brothers and his father's whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. | 1So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father's family learned about it, they went down there to him. |
| 2In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. | 2All those who were in trouble or owed someone money or were discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. He had about four hundred men with him. |
| 3From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab where he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God will do for me." | 3Then David went from there to Mizpah in Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God is going to do for me." |
| 4So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold. | 4So he had them stay with the king of Moab; they stayed with him the whole time that David was in the stronghold. |
| 5Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Don't stay in the stronghold. Leave and return to the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth. | 5Then Gad the prophet said to David, "Don't stay in the stronghold. Go to the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth. |
| 6Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree at the high place. His spear was in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him. | 6But Saul found out the whereabouts of David and the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree at an elevated location with his spear in hand and all his servants stationed around him. |
| 7Saul said to his servants, "Listen, men of Benjamin: Is Jesse's son going to give all of you fields and vineyards? Do you think he'll make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? | 7Saul said to his servants who were stationed around him, "Listen up, you Benjaminites! Is Jesse's son giving fields and vineyards to all of you? Or is he making all of you commanders and officers? |
| 8That's why all of you have conspired against me! Nobody tells me when my own son makes a covenant with Jesse's son. None of you cares about me or tells me that my son has stirred up my own servant to wait in ambush for me, as is the case today." | 8For all of you have conspired against me! No one informs me when my own son makes an agreement with this son of Jesse! Not one of you feels sorry for me or informs me that my own son has commissioned my own servant to hide in ambush against me, as is the case today!" |
| 9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul's servants, answered: "I saw Jesse's son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. | 9But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with the servants of Saul, replied, "I saw this son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. |
| 10Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine." | 10He inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine." |
| 11The king sent messengers to summon the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub, and his father's whole family, who were priests in Nob. All of them came to the king. | 11Then the king arranged for a meeting with the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and all the priests of his father's house who were at Nob. They all came to the king. |
| 12Then Saul said, "Listen, son of Ahitub!" "I'm at your service, my lord," he said. | 12Then Saul said, "Listen, son of Ahitub." He replied, "Here I am, my lord." |
| 13Saul asked him, "Why did you and Jesse's son conspire against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him, so he could rise up against me and wait in ambush, as is the case today." | 13Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and this son of Jesse? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God on his behalf, so that he opposes me and waits in ambush, as is the case today!" |
| 14Ahimelech 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. | 14Ahimelech replied to the king, "Who among all your servants is faithful like David? He is the king's son-in-law, the leader of your bodyguard, and honored in your house! |
| 15Was 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 family, for your servant didn't have any idea about all this." | 15Was it just today that I began to inquire of God on his behalf? Far be it from me! The king should not accuse his servant or any of my father's house. For your servant is not aware of all this--not in whole or in part!" |
| 16But the king said, "You will die, Ahimelech--you and your father's whole family!" | 16But the king said, "You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house! |
| 17Then 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. | 17Then the king said to the messengers who were stationed beside him, "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, for they too have sided with David! They knew he was fleeing, but they did not inform me." But the king's servants refused to harm the priests of the LORD. |
| 18So 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 eighty-five men who wore linen ephods. | 18Then the king said to Doeg, "You turn and strike down the priests!" So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests. He killed on that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. |
| 19He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword--both men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. | 19As for Nob, the city of the priests, he struck down with the sword men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep--all with the sword. |
| 20However, one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David. | 20But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped and fled to David. His name was Abiathar. |
| 21Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. | 21Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. |
| 22Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day and that he was sure to report to Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father's family. | 22Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day when Doeg the Edomite was there that he would certainly tell Saul! I am guilty of all the deaths in your father's house! |
| 23Stay with me. Don't be afraid, for the one who wants to take my life wants to take your life. You will be safe with me." | 23Stay with me. Don't be afraid! Whoever seeks my life is seeking your life as well. You are secure with me." |
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