Nob | Deborah H Bateman

Doeg Slays Ahimelech

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 22:11-23. Saul sent for Ahimelech the priest, all those from his father’s house, and the priests in Nob. They came before the king. Saul questioned Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, as to why he had conspired against him with David, the son of Jesse.

Saul let Ahimelech know that he know about the good deeds he had done for David by giving him food, Goliath’s sword, and praying to God for David.

Ahimelech asked Saul who else was more faithful to him than David. He reminded Saul that David was his son-in-law, he had done anything Saul asked him to do and was well thought of in the house of Saul.

Ahimelech told Saul that when he inquired to God for David he knew nothing about the situation between Saul and David. He asked Saul to spare him and those of his father’s house.

Saul told Ahimelech that he and all those from his father’s house would die. The king ordered his men to slay Ahimelech and all those from his father’s house because of their devotion to David. Saul’s men refused the king’s request.

Then Saul told Doeg to slay the priest and all those with him. Doeg slayed the priest and eighty five priests. He also slew the men, women, children, sheep, and cattle in Nob.

Only one son of Ahimelech was able to escape the wrath of Doeg. His name was Abiathar. He escaped and went to where David was. Abiathar told David what happened.

David said that he was afraid when he saw Doeg at Ahimelech’s that he would tell Saul. David felt responsible for the fate of Ahimelech and the other priest. David told Abiathar that Saul would be searching for him as well as for David. He told Abiathar to stay with him where he would be safe.

What kind of people were these that they would slay the priests of God? It is sad that many people don’t have any regard for God, His servants or His people.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 22:11-23

11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
12 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.
13 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.
17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’S priests.
22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.
23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

Things to think about:

Why did Saul send for Ahimelech and those of his father’s house?

What was Saul’s concern with Ahimelech?

Was Ahimelech aware of the situation between David and Saul?

What did Saul say was going to happen to Ahimelech and the other priests?

Who carried out Saul’s commands against Ahimelech?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel it saddens our hearts to see that there are those who have no regard for You, Your servants or Your people. We pray for Your protection over Your servants who are serving in places that don’t regard You. We ask for Your protection over us as we serve You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study. We will continue with the study of The Book of 1 Samuel.