1 Samuel 22:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, "I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub,

NIV: But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub at Nob.

NASB: Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing in front of the servants of Saul, responded and said, 'I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

CSB: Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul’s servants, answered: "I saw Jesse’s son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

NLT: Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing there with Saul’s men, spoke up. 'When I was at Nob,' he said, 'I saw the son of Jesse talking to the priest, Ahimelech son of Ahitub.

KJV: Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

NKJV: Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, and said, “I saw the son of Jesse going to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

First Samuel 22:6–10 records King Saul's temper tantrum. Thanks to his daughter Michal, who was also David's wife, and his son Jonathan, David's best friend, David has escaped Saul's murderous plans (1 Samuel 19:11—20:42). Saul moans that his servants won't tell him where David has gone and insists he'll reward them more than David will. Finally, Doeg the Edomite reveals what he witnessed when David visited the priest Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1–9). Saul finally has a target for his anger (1 Samuel 22:11–19).

In 1 Samuel 22, David hides at the cave of Adullam and is joined by his family and about 400 men. He leaves his parents at Moab and takes refuge in the forest of Hereth. Meanwhile, Saul accuses his servants of siding with David against him. Doeg the Edomite reports that Ahimelech the priest gave David provisions at the tabernacle. Saul summons Ahimelech and accuses him of being part of David's conspiracy. Refusing to listen to Ahimelech's defense, Saul orders him and all the priests, people, and animals of Nob killed. One priest escapes and reports the events to David.

In 1 Samuel 22, David's rift with Saul deepens. David had escaped Saul and tricked the priest Ahimelech into giving him provisions (1 Samuel 21:1–9). After a foolish stop in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15), David hides in the cave of Adullam and accidentally raises an army. Meanwhile, Saul learns of David's interaction with Ahimelech. Enraged, Saul orders the entire city of Nob destroyed. One priest escapes and tells David who takes responsibility. With an army to fight and a priest to provide wisdom, David is ready to start his career as a mercenary (1 Samuel 23).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.