22:14 Ahimelech 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! 22:15 Was it just today that I began to inquire of God on his behalf? Far be it from me! The king should not accuse 1 his servant or any of my father’s house. For your servant is not aware of all this – not in whole or in part!” 2
22:16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house! 22:17 Then the king said to the messengers 3 who were stationed beside him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, for they too have sided 4 with David! They knew he was fleeing, but they did not inform me.” But the king’s servants refused to harm 5 the priests of the Lord.
22:18 Then 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 6 men who wore the linen ephod. 22:19 As 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.
1 tn Heb “set a matter against.”
2 tn Heb “small or great.”
3 tn Heb “runners.”
4 tn Heb “their hand is.”
5 tn Heb “to extend their hand to harm.”
6 tc The number is confused in the Greek