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When David was in the tabernacle
at Nob, talking to the priests, a man was there named Doeg. He was
keeper of Saul's cattle; a very wicked man, and an enemy of David.
Saul heard that David was escaping from place to place, and he tried to
find him, that he might kill him, and he asked his servants to tell him
all they knew about David, and who were his friends who helped him to
escape. Then Doeg said, "I saw David come to Nob, to Ahimelech
the priest, and Ahimelech gave him food, and the sword of the giant
Goliath." Then Saul sent for Ahimelech, and all the priests
that were at Nob. When the
priests came to Saul, he spoke very angrily to them, and said to
Ahimelech, "Why hast thou given bread and a sword to David my enemy,
and helped him to fight against me, and kill me?" Ahimelech
answered, "David is not an enemy; he is faithful, and obedient to the
king; and I knew nothing of all this." But Saul would not
attend to Ahimelech, and he commanded the servants, who stood by, to put
Ahimelech, and all the other priests, to death. The servants feared
God more than their cruel master did; and they would not kill these holy
priests. Then Saul turned to Doeg, and told him to kill the
priests. Doeg was glad to obey; and he drew his sword, and slew them
all, eighty-five in number, and then went to Nob, and killed the people
there; men, and women, and children. Only one son of Ahimelech,
named Abiathar, escaped, and ran to David, and told him the sad
story. David spoke very kindly to Abiathar, and made him come and
live with him; and they comforted one another. How
very wicked Saul had become! He began with impatience and
disobedience; now, Satan made him a murderer of God's people. Wicked
tempers grow worse and worse every day, if they are not subdued by God's
grace. God had gone away from Saul, because Saul would not pray; and
now, Satan and his own wicked heart taught him to do these dreadful
things. Abiathar was the
only priest left of Eli's family. Many years before, God had said
that he would destroy them, because Eli had not punished his wicked
sons. God never forgets what he says. He forgave Eli; but He
punished his sin.
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