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Doeg’s treachery

1 Samuel 22:6-23 (JDV)

1 Samuel 22:6 Saul 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.
1 Samuel 22:7 Saul 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?
1 Samuel 22:8 That’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.”
1 Samuel 22:9 Then Doeg the Edomite, who oversaw Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw Jesse’s son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.
1 Samuel 22:10 Ahimelech inquired of Yahveh for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
1 Samuel 22:11 The 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.
1 Samuel 22:12 Then Saul said, “Listen, son of Ahitub!” “Notice me, my lord,” he said.
1 Samuel 22:13 Saul 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.”
1 Samuel 22:14 Ahimelech 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.
1 Samuel 22:15 Was 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.”
1 Samuel 22:16 But the king said, “You will die, Ahimelech — you and your father’s whole family!”
1 Samuel 22:17 Then the king ordered the guards standing by him, “Turn and kill the priests of Yahveh 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 Yahveh.
1 Samuel 22:18 So 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.
1 Samuel 22:19 He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword– both men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
1 Samuel 22:20 However, one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.
1 Samuel 22:21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of Yahveh.
1 Samuel 22:22 Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day and that he was sure to report to Saul. I am responsible for the throats of everyone in your father’s family.
1 Samuel 22:23 Stay with me. Don’t be afraid, for the one who wants to take my throat wants to take your throat. You will be safe with me.”

Doeg’s treachery

Read Psalm 52 in conjunction with today’s text because it reveals David’s thoughts about Doeg’s treachery. This was a horrible injustice for which David felt responsible because of his seeking help from Ahimelech, and the lies he told to procure that help. Psalm 52 shows David’s repentant attitude and the lessons he learned from his past failure.