Doeg is a biblical figure mentioned primarily in the First Book of Samuel. He is known for his role in the tragic events surrounding the priestly city of Nob and his association with King Saul. Doeg was an Edomite, which is significant as the Edomites were descendants of Esau and often seen as adversaries of Israel. His account is a cautionary tale of loyalty misapplied and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Position and Role

Doeg held a prominent position as the chief of Saul's herdsmen (1 Samuel 21:7). This role indicates a level of trust and responsibility, as he was in charge of the king's livestock, a vital asset in ancient Israel. His presence at Nob, where he witnessed David's interaction with Ahimelech the priest, suggests he was a man of influence and authority within Saul's administration.

Encounter at Nob

The most notable account of Doeg is found in 1 Samuel 21-22. When David fled from Saul, he sought refuge at Nob, where Ahimelech the priest provided him with bread and the sword of Goliath. Doeg was present at the tabernacle that day, "detained before the LORD" (1 Samuel 21:7), which implies he was fulfilling some religious obligation or duty.

Betrayal and Massacre

Doeg's actions following his encounter with David at Nob are pivotal. When Saul accused his servants of conspiring with David, Doeg reported what he had witnessed, saying, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Nob, to Ahimelech son of Ahitub" (1 Samuel 22:9). This report led to Saul summoning Ahimelech and the priests of Nob, accusing them of treason.

When Saul ordered the execution of the priests, his own guards refused to carry out the command. However, Doeg, driven by ambition or loyalty to Saul, complied and killed eighty-five priests who wore the linen ephod (1 Samuel 22:18). He then proceeded to destroy the entire city of Nob, including men, women, children, and livestock, demonstrating a ruthless and unrestrained obedience to Saul's orders.

Theological Implications

Doeg's actions are often viewed through the lens of moral and ethical failure. His willingness to carry out Saul's unjust command highlights the dangers of blind allegiance to authority, especially when it contradicts divine law. The massacre at Nob is a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the misuse of power.

In the Psalms, David reflects on the treachery of Doeg. Psalm 52 is traditionally attributed to David in response to Doeg's betrayal. The psalm contrasts the wickedness of Doeg with the steadfast love of God, emphasizing the ultimate downfall of those who trust in their own strength and deceit.

Legacy

Doeg's legacy is one of infamy, serving as a warning against the perils of ambition and the moral compromises that can accompany the pursuit of power. His account is a somber reminder of the importance of integrity and the devastating impact of sin on individuals and communities.Doeg

careful, who acts with uneasiness

Doeg

(fearful), an Idumean, chief of Saul's herdmen. (B.C. 1062.) He was at Nob when Ahimelech gave David the sword of Goliath, and not only gave information to Saul, but when others declined the office, himself executed the king's order to destroy the priests of Nob, with their families, to the number of 85 persons, together with all their property. (1 Samuel 21:7; 22:9,18,22; Psalms 52)

Doeg

An Edomite, overseer of Saul's flocks. At Nob he witnessed the relief kindly furnished to David when fleeing from Saul, by Ahimelech the high priest, and carried a malicious and distorted report of it to his master. The king gladly seized the opportunity to wreak his passion on a helpless victim; and when the Jews around him refused to slay the priests of God, infamously used the willing services of this alien and heathen. Doeg not only slew Ahimelech and eighty-four other priests, but put the town in which they dwelt to the sword, 1 Samuel 21:15. David forebodes his wretched fate, Psalm 52:1-9 120:1-7 140:1-13.

Fearful, an Edomite, the chief overseer of Saul's flocks (1 Samuel 21:7). At the command of Saul he slew the high priest Ahimelech (q.v.) at Nob, together with all the priests to the number of eighty-five persons. (Comp. Psalm 52, title.) DOEG

do'-eg (do'-egh "anxious," "cared for"): "The Edomite," a servant of Saul, who watched David's intercourse with the priest Ahimelech, then denounced the priest to the king, and later executed his command to slay the priests at Nob. The position he held is described as that of "the mightiest" of Samuel's herdsmen (1 Samuel 21:7 margin). Septuagint reads: "tending the mules." Rabbinical legends speak of him as the greatest scholar of his time. The traditional title of Psalm 52 associates the composition of that Psalms with the events that led to the slaying of the priests (1 Samuel 21:7; 1 Samuel 22:9, 18, 22).

Nathan Isaacs

1673. Doeg -- an Edomite
Doeg or Doeg. 1672, 1673. Doeg or Doeg. 1674 . an Edomite. Transliteration:
Doeg or Doeg Phonetic Spelling: (do-ayg') Short Definition: Doeg. ...
/hebrew/1673.htm - 6k

The Exile Continued.
... But David's quick eye caught a swarthy face peering at him from some enclosure of
the simple forest sanctuary, and as he recognised Doeg the Edomite, Saul's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

The Cost of a Lie
... Now Doeg, the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdsmen, was there that day. And David
said to Ahimelech, "Have you not here at hand a spear or sword? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the cost of a lie.htm

Psalm LII.
... 1. The title of the Psalm hath: "At the end, understanding of David, when there
came Doeg the Edomite and told Saul, David hath come into the house of Abimelech ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lii.htm

How David Fled to Ahimelech and Afterwards to the Kings of the ...
... or spear. Now there was at Nob a servant of Saul, by birth a Syrian, whose
name was Doeg, one that kept the king's mules. The high ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how david fled.htm

The Story of the Cave of Adullam
... But he found one man whose name was Doeg, an Edomite, who was willing to
obey the king. And Doeg, the Edomite, killed eighty-five ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the cave.htm

On the Psalms. I.
... For everybody acknowledges that the matter of Doeg the Idumean calumniating David
to Saul is antecedent to the sin with the wife of Urias; yet it is not ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

The Hatred of the King Towards Him Increased Daily...
... time, Saul slew Abimelech the priest because he had received David; and when none
of the king's servants ventured to lay hands upon the priest, Doeg, the Syrian ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxxv the hatred of.htm

Psalm 52
... To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and
told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. 8,6,8,6. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 52.htm

History of his Disobeying It.
... The accusation of Doeg [1345] prevailed of old against the priests of God:
but it was the unrighteous Saul, who hearkened unto him. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/20 history of his disobeying.htm

Letter ccxlviii. To Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium.
... You cannot fail to have heard that a man of the name of Asclepius, [3090] because
he would not consent to communion with Doeg, [3091] has died under the blows ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxlviii to amphilochius bishop.htm

Doeg (6 Occurrences)
... (Comp. Psalm 52, title.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DOEG. do ... Nathan
Isaacs. Multi-Version Concordance Doeg (6 Occurrences). 1 ...
/d/doeg.htm - 9k

Edomite (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained
before Yahweh; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the best of the herdsmen ...
/e/edomite.htm - 10k

Do'eg (4 Occurrences)
Do'eg. Doeg, Do'eg. Doer . Multi-Version Concordance Do'eg (4 Occurrences).
1 Samuel 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul ...
/d/do'eg.htm - 7k

E'domite (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained
before Yahweh; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the best of the herdsmen ...
/e/e'domite.htm - 8k

Ahimelech (17 Occurrences)
... loaves of the showbread) when he fled from Saul (1 Samuel 21:1-9). He was summoned
into Saul's presence, and accused, on the information of Doeg the Edomite ...
/a/ahimelech.htm - 20k

Nob (6 Occurrences)
... This was observed by Doeg the Edomite, who informed the king, and afterward became
the instrument of Saul's savage vengeance on the priests, and on all the ...
/n/nob.htm - 12k

Wore (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 22:18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite
turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty ...
/w/wore.htm - 11k

Fourscore (33 Occurrences)
... And the land had rest fourscore years. (KJV JPS ASV). 1 Samuel 22:18 And
the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. ...
/f/fourscore.htm - 16k

Eighty (36 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 22:18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite
turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty ...
/e/eighty.htm - 17k

Eighty-five (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 22:18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite
turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty ...
/e/eighty-five.htm - 7k

Who was Doeg the Edomite? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org

Old Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

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