AHIMELECH, the Son of Ahitub, and Brother of Abiah, whom he succeeded in the High-Priesthood. He is called AbiatharMark ii. 26. in S. Mark. The Tabernacle was then at Nob, where Ahimelech, with other Priests, had his habitation. David being informed by his friend Jonathan, that Saul was determined to destroy him, thought it convenient to retire. He went to Nob 1 Sam. xxi. 1.therefore, to the High-Priest Abimelech, who was very much surprized to see him, and said to him, Why art thou alone, and no Man with thee? David answered, The King has given me orders which are very pressing, and has forbidden me to discover them to any Man; and my people are appointed to rendezvous in such a place. If therefore you have any thing to eat, tho’ it be but five loaves, give them to me. The High-Priest answered, I have no common bread, but there is hallowed bread, if the young Men have kept themselves at least from Women. Of a truth, said David, Women have been kept from us about these three days; and if they are any way polluted, I will take care they shall be purified before they eat of this bread.
David added, Is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the King’s business required haste. Ahimelech answered, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold it is here wrapt in a cloth behind the Ephod; if thou wilt take that, take it; for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that, give it me. And David arose, and went to Achish King of Gath. Now Doeg the Edomite was at Gath, when David came thither. One day therefore, as Saul was complaining to his officers that no one was affected with his misfortunes, or gave him any intelligence 1 Sam. xxii. 6, 7. &c.of what was doing against him, Doeg related to him what had happened when David came to Ahimelech the High-Priest. Saul immediately sent orders for him and the other Priests to come to him, and said to Ahimelech, Why have you conspired with the Son of Jesse against me? Why have you given him a sword and bread, and have consulted God for him? Ahimelech answered the King, 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? Did I then begin to enquire of God for him?
Saul, without having any regard to Ahimelech’s reasons, said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou and all thy father’s house. And he commanded his guards that were about him to turn their arms against the Priests of the Lord, for, says he, their hand also is with David. But the King’s officers would not put forth their hand to fall upon the Priests of the Lord. Then Saul commanded Doeg to kill them; who obeyed: and on that day there died fourscore and five persons that wore the linen Ephod. He went afterwards to Nob, and put Men, Women and Children, and even all the cattle that he found, to the edge of the sword. But one of Ahimelech’s Sons, by name Abiathar, escaped the slaughter, and retired to David. This happened in the year of the world 2944. before J. C. 1056. before the vulgar Æra 1060.