1 GLT And David went from there and slipped away to the cave of Adullam. And his brothers and all the house of his father heard, and they went down there to him. BSB BSB: So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.
2 GLT And they gathered to him: every man of distress, and every man for whom was a creditor, and every man bitter of spirit. And he became commander over them. And they were with him, about 400 men. BSB BSB: And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
3 GLT And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab,“Please let my father and my mother go out with you until when I know what God will do for me.” BSB BSB: From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.”
4 GLT And he led them into the face of the king of Moab. And they stayed with him all the days of David being in the stronghold. BSB BSB: So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.
5 GLT And Gad the prophet said to David,“Do not stay in the stronghold. Go and come for yourself to the land of Judah.” And David went and came to the forest of Hereth. BSB BSB: Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart and go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.
6 GLT And Saul heard that David was known, and the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting in the Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height, and his spear was in his hand, and all his servants were stationed beside him. BSB BSB: Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him.
7 GLT And Saul said to his servants who were stationed beside him,“Listen now, Benjaminites! Will the son of Jesse give fields and vineyards even to all of you? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? BSB BSB: Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?
8 GLT For all of you have conspired against me! And there was no uncovering my ear when my son cut with the son of Jesse. And there was no grieving from you for me or uncovering my ear that my son has raised up my servant against me to lie in ambush as this day.” BSB BSB: Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”
9 GLT And Doeg the Edomite answered(now he was stationed beside the servants of Saul) and said,“I saw the son of Jesse. He came to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. BSB BSB: But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.
10 GLT And he inquired of Yahweh for him, and he gave provisions to him. And he gave to him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” BSB BSB: Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
11 GLT And the king sent to call Ahimelech the son of Ahitub the priest and all the house of his father, the priests who were in Nob. And all of them came to the king. BSB BSB: Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king.
12 GLT And Saul said,“Listen now, son of Ahitub.” And he said,“Here I am, my master.” BSB BSB: “Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied.
13 GLT And Saul said to him,“Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, by your giving to him bread, and a sword, and inquiring of God for him, to rise up against me, to lie in ambush, as this day?” BSB BSB: And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.”
14 GLT And Ahimelech answered the king and said,“Now who among all your servants is faithful like David, the son- in- law of the king, and commander over your guards, and is honored in your house? BSB BSB: Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house?
15 GLT Did I begin to inquire of God for him today? Far be it for me! Do not let the king set a word against his servant, against all the house of my father. For your servant does not know of any of this, small matter or great.” BSB BSB: Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.”
16 GLT And the king said,“You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all the house of your father!” BSB BSB: But the king replied, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!”
17 GLT And the king said to the ones who run, the ones who were stationed beside him,“Turn around and put to death the priests of Yahweh, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he was fleeing, but did not uncover my ear.” But the servants of the king were not willing to send forth their hand to attack the priests of Yahweh. BSB BSB: Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.
18 GLT And the king said to Doeg,“You turn around and attack the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned around and he himself attacked the priests. And on that day he put to death 85 men who carried the linen ephod. BSB BSB: So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
19 GLT And Nob, the city of the priests, he struck down by the mouth of the sword, from man and as far as woman, from child and as far as infant, and ox and donkey and sheep by the mouth of the sword. BSB BSB: He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
21 GLT And Abiathar told David that Saul had slain the priests of Yahweh. BSB BSB: And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.
22 GLT And David said to Abiathar,“I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I myself have turned around against all the life of the house of your father! BSB BSB: Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house.
23 GLT Stay with me, do not be afraid. For who seeks my life seeks your life. Surely you will be kept safe with me.” BSB BSB: Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.