The Slaughter of the Priests

1 Samuel 22

David gathers a band of distressed men at the cave of Odollam and arranges safety for his parents in Moab before settling in the land of Juda at the prophet Gad's direction; Saul, learning from Doec the Syrian that Abimelech the priest had aided David, orders the priests of Nomba killed, and when his own guards refuse, Doec himself kills three hundred and five priests and puts the city to the sword, though Abiathar, a son of Abimelech, escapes to David.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHEN David departed thence, and having escaped, he went to the cave Odollam. And when his brethren, and the house of his father heard it, they went down to him there.

BrentonAnd David departed thence, and escaped; and he comes to the cave of Odollam, and his brethren hear, and the house of his father, and they go down to him there.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἐκεῖθεν Δαυὶδ, καὶ διεσώθη, καὶ ἔρχεται εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ Ὀδολλάμ· καὶ ἀκούουσιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ καταβαίνουσι πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ.

KJVDavid therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.

JPSDavid therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.

ThomsonAnd every one who was in distress, and every one in debt, and every one aggrieved in mind, collected to him, and he was their leader. So there were with him about four hundred men.

BrentonAnd there gathered to him every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was troubled in mind; and he was a leader over them, and there were with him about four hundred men.

GreekΚαὶ συνήγοντο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶς ἐν ἀνάγκῇ, καὶ πᾶς ὑπόχρεως, καὶ πᾶς κατώδυνος ψυχῇ, καὶ ἦν ἐπʼ αὐτῶν ἡγούμενος, καὶ ἦσαν μετʼ αὐτοῦ ὡς τετρακόσιοι ἄνδρες.

KJVAnd every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

JPSAnd every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became captain over them; and there were with him about four hundred men.

ThomsonAnd from that place David went to Massephath of Moab, and said to the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, be with thee, till I know what God will do for me.

BrentonAnd David departed thence to Massephath of Moab, and said to the king of Moab, Let, I pray thee, my father and my mother be with thee, until I know what God will do to me.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῆλθε Δαυὶδ ἐκεῖθεν εἰς Μασσηφὰθ τῆς Μωὰβ, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς βασιλέα Μωὰβ, γινέσθωσαν δὴ ὁ πατήρ μου καὶ ἡ μήτηρ μου παρὰ σοί, ἕως ὅτου γνῶ τί ποιήσει μοι ὁ Θεός.

KJVAnd David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.

JPSAnd David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab; and he said unto the king of Moab: ‘Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.’

ThomsonSo he conciliated the favour of the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was at that fortress.

BrentonAnd he persuaded the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him continually, while David was in the hold.

GreekΚαὶ παρεκάλεσε τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ βασιλέως Μωὰβ, καὶ κατῴκουν μετʼ αὐτοῦ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας, ὄντος τοῦ Δαυὶδ ἐν τῇ περιοχῇ.

KJVAnd he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.

JPSAnd he brought them before the king of Moab; and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the stronghold.

ThomsonAnd Gad the prophet said to David, Abide not in this fortress; depart and go to the land of Judea. Thereupon David set out, and came and took up his abode in the city Sarick.

BrentonAnd Gad the prophet said to David, Dwell not in the hold: go, and thou shalt enter the land of Juda. So David went, and came and dwelt in the city of Saric.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Γὰδ ὁ προφήτης πρὸς Δαυὶδ, μὴ κάθου ἐν τῇ περιοχῇ· πορεύου, καὶ ἥξεις εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα· καὶ ἐπορεύθη Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἦλθε καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐν πόλει Σαρίκ.

KJVAnd the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.

JPSAnd the prophet Gad said unto David: ‘Abide not in the stronghold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah.’ Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hereth.

ThomsonWhen Saul heard that David and his men who were with him shewed themselves, (Now Saul had seated himself on the eminence below the cultivated ground at Rama, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants stood around him).

BrentonAnd Saul heard that David was discovered, and his men with him: now Saul dwelt in the hill below the field that is in Rama, and his spear was in his hand, and all his servants stood near him.

GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσε Σαοὺλ, ὅτι ἔγνωσται Δαυὶδ, καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ Σαοὺλ ἐκάθητο ἐν τῷ βουνῷ ὑπὸ τὴν ἄρουραν τὴν ἐν Ῥαμᾷ, καὶ τὸ δόρυ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ παρειστήκεισαν αὐτῷ.

KJVWhen Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

JPSAnd Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him; now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk-tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.

ThomsonSaul said to his servants who attended him, Hearken, I pray you, ye sons of Benjamin! Can the son of Jessai really give every one of you fields, and vineyards, and make you all captains of hundreds, and captains of thousands,

BrentonAnd Saul said to his servants that stood by him, Hear now, ye sons of Benjamin, will the son of Jessæ indeed give all of you fields and vineyards, and will he make you all captains of hundreds and captains of thousands?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ τοὺς παρεστηκότας αὐτῷ, ἀκούσατε δὴ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν, εἰ ἀληθῶς πᾶσιν ὑμῖν δώσει ὁ υἱὸς Ἰεσσαὶ ἀγροὺς καὶ ἀμπελῶνας, καὶ πάντας ὑμᾶς τάξει ἑκατοντάρχους καὶ χιλιάρχους,

KJVThen Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

JPSAnd Saul said unto his servants that stood about him: ‘Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds;

Thomsonthat you all conspire against me; and there is not one who informed me when my son made a league with the son of Jessai; nor one of you who is sorry for me, or informeth me that my son hath stirred up my vassal against me to be my enemy, as is now the case?

Brentonthat ye are all conspiring against me, and there is no one that informs me, whereas my son has made a covenant with the son of Jessæ, and there is no one of you that is sorry for me, or informs me that my son has stirred up my servant against me for an enemy, as it is this day?

Greekὅτι σύγκεισθε πάντες ὑμεῖς ἐπʼ ἐμὲ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἀποκαλύπτων τὸ ὠτίον μου, ἐν τῷ διαθέσθαι τὸν υἱόν μου διαθήκην μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ Ἰεσσαὶ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι πονῶν περὶ ἐμοῦ ἐξ ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀποκαλύπτων τὸ ὠτίον μου, ὅτι ἐπήγειρεν ὁ υἱός μου τὸν δοῦλόν μου ἐπʼ ἐμὲ εἰς ἐχθρὸν, ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη;

KJVThat all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

JPSthat all of you have conspired against me, and there was none that disclosed it to me when my son made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or discloseth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?’

ThomsonThen Doek the Syrian, who had the care of Saul’s asses, answered and said, I saw the son of Jessai coming to Nomba, to Abimelech the son of Achitob, the priest;

BrentonAnd Doec the Syrian who was over the mules of Saul answered and said, I saw the son of Jessæ as he came to Nomba to Abimelech son of Achitob the priest.

GreekΚαὶ ἀποκρίνεται Δωὴκ ὁ Σύρος ὁ καθεστηκὼς ἐπὶ τάς ἡμιόνους Σαοὺλ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἑωρακα τὸν υἱὸν Ἰεσσαὶ παραγινόμενον εἰς Νομβᾶ πρὸς Ἀβιμέλεχ υἱὸν Ἀχιτὼβ τὸν ἱερέα.

KJVThen 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.

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

Thomsonand he inquired of God for him, and gave him victuals. He gave him also the sword of Goliath.

BrentonAnd the priest enquired of God for him, and gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

GreekΚαὶ ἠρώτα αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐπισιτισμὸν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ, καὶ τὴν ῥομφαίαν Γολιὰθ τοῦ ἀλλοφύλου ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ.

KJVAnd he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

JPSAnd he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.’

ThomsonUpon this the king sent for Abimelech, son of Achitob, and all his father’s sons, the priests at Nomba; and when they all came to the king,

BrentonAnd the king sent to call Abimelech son of Achitob and all his father's sons, the priests that were in Nomba; and they all came to the king.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καλέσαι τὸν Ἀβιμέλεχ υἱὸν Ἀχιτὼβ καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοὺς ἐν Νομβᾶ· καὶ παρεγένοντο πάντες πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen 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.

ThomsonSaul said, Hear now thou son of Achitob! And he said, Here I am. Speak, my lord.

BrentonAnd Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Achitob. And he said, Lo! I am here, speak, my lord.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ, ἄκουε δὴ υἱὲ Ἀχιτώβ· καὶ εἶπεν, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ, λάλει κύριε.

KJVAnd Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.

JPSAnd Saul said: ‘Hear now, thou son of Ahitub.’ And he answered: ‘Here I am, my lord.’

ThomsonThen Saul said to him, Why hast thou conspired against me, thou and the son of Jessai, that thou shouldst give him bread, and a sword, and consult God for him to make him my enemy, as is now the case?

BrentonAnd Saul said to him, Why have thou and the son of Jessæ conspired against me, that thou shouldest give him bread and a sword, and shouldest enquire of God for him, to raise him up against me as an enemy, as he is this day?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Σαοὺλ, ἱνατί συνέθου κατʼ ἐμοῦ σὺ καὶ ὁ υἱὸς Ἰεσσαὶ, δοῦναί σε αὐτῷ ἄρτον καὶ ῥομφαίαν, καὶ ἐρωτᾷν αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, θέσθαι αὐτὸν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ εἰς ἐχθρὸν, ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη;

KJVAnd 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?

JPSAnd 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 inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?’

ThomsonAnd Abimelech answered the king and said, Who among all thy servants was like David, in high trust, and the king’s son-in-law, and thy prime minister, and highly honoured in thy house?

BrentonAnd he answered the king, and said, And who is there among all thy servants faithful as David, and he is a son-in-law of the king, and he is executor of all thy commands, and is honourable in thy house?

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθη τῷ βασιλεῖ, καὶ εἶπε, καὶ τίς ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς δούλοις σου ὡς Δαυὶδ πιστὸς, καὶ γαμβρὸς τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἄρχων παντὸς παραγγέλματός σου, καὶ ἔνδοξος ἐν τῷ οἰκῳ σου;

KJVThen 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?

JPSThen Ahimelech answered the king, and said: ‘And who among all thy servants is so trusted as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and giveth heed unto thy bidding, and is honourable in thy house?

ThomsonHave I now begun to consult God for him? No. Let not the king bring a charge against his servant, and against all my father’s house. For thy servant knew nothing of all these things, less or more.

BrentonHave I begun to-day to enquire of God for him? by no means: let not the king bring a charge against his servant, and against the whole of my father's house; for thy servant knew not in all these matters anything great or small.

GreekἪ σήμερον ἦργμαι ἐρωτᾷν αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ; μηδαμῶς· μὴ δότω ὁ βασιλεὺς κατὰ τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ λόγον, καὶ ἐφʼ ὅλον τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου, ὅτι οὐκ ᾔδει ὁ δοῦλός σου ἐν πᾶσι τούτοις ῥῆμα μικρὸν, ἢ μέγα.

KJVDid 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.

JPSHave I to-day begun to inquire 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 knoweth nothing of all this, less or more.’

ThomsonThen Saul the king said, Thou shalt surely be put to death, both thou Abimelech, and all the house of thy father.

BrentonAnd king Saul said, Thou shalt surely die, Abimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σαοὺλ, θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ Ἀβιμέλεχ σὺ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός σου.

KJVAnd the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.

JPSAnd the king said: ‘Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.’

ThomsonAnd the king said to the light infantry who stood before him, Go near and put to death the priests of the Lord, because their hand was with David; and because they knew that he was fleeing, and did not inform me. And when the servants of the king refused to lift their hands against the priests of the Lord,

BrentonAnd the king said to the footmen that attended on him, Draw nigh and slay the priests of the Lord, because their hand is with David, and because they knew that he fled, and they did not inform me. But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to fall upon the priests of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς παρατρέχουσι τοῖς ἐφεστηκόσι πρὸς αὐτὸν, προσαγάγετε καὶ θανατοῦτε τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοῦ Κυρίου, ὅτι ἡ χεὶρ αὐτῶν μετὰ Δαυὶδ, καὶ ὅτι ἔγνωσαν ὅτι φεύγει αὐτὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψαν τὸ ὠτίον μου· καὶ οὐκ ἐβουλήθησαν οἱ παῖδες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπενεγκεῖν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἁπαντῆσαι εἰς τοὺς ἱερεῖς Κυρίου.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the king said unto the guard that stood about him: ‘Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he fled, and did not disclose it to me.’ But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

Thomsonthe king said to Doek, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. Thereupon Doek, the Syrian, turned and slew the priests of the Lord that day, three hundred and five men, all wearing an ephod.

BrentonAnd the king said to Doec, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests: and Doec the Syrian turned, and slew the priests of the Lord in that day, three hundred and five men, all wearing an ephod.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Δωὴκ, ἐπιστρέφου σὺ, καὶ ἀπάντα εἰς τοὺς ἱερεῖς· καὶ ἐπεστράφη Δωὴκ ὁ Σύρος, καὶ ἐθανάτωσε τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοῦ Κυρίου ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, τριακοσίους καὶ πέντε ἄνδρας, πάντας αἴροντας ἐφούδ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the king said to Doeg: ‘Turn thou, and fall upon the priests.’ And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and he slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

ThomsonThen he smote Nomba the city of the priests, with the edge of the sword, both men and women, infant and suckling, with the cattle, and the asses, and the sheep.

BrentonAnd he smote Nomba the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both man and woman, infant and suckling, and calf, and ox, and sheep.

GreekΚαὶ τὴν Νομβᾶ τὴν πόλιν τῶν ἱερέων ἐπάταξεν ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἕως γυναικὸς, ἀπὸ νηπίου ἕως θηλάζοντος, καὶ μόσχου, καὶ ὄνου, καὶ προβάτου.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.

ThomsonBut one son of Abimelech, son of Achitob, escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.

BrentonAnd one son of Abimelech son of Achitob escapes, and his name was Abiathar, and he fled after David.

GreekΚαὶ διασώζεται υἱὸς εἷς τῷ Ἀβιμέλεχ υἱῷ Ἀχιτὼβ, καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ἀβιάθαρ, καὶ ἔφυγεν ὀπίσω Δαυίδ.

KJVAnd one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

JPSAnd one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

ThomsonAnd when Abiathar told David that Saul had slain all the priests of the Lord,

BrentonAnd Abiathar told David that Saul had slain all the priests of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπήγγειλεν Ἀβιάθαρ τῷ Δαυὶδ, ὅτι ἐθανάτωσε Σαοὺλ πάντας τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοῦ Κυρίου.

KJVAnd Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.

JPSAnd Abiathar told David that Saul had slain the LORD’S priests.

ThomsonDavid said to Abiathar, I might have known that day—that Doek the Syrian—that he would tell Saul—I am answerable for the lives of thy father’s household.

BrentonAnd David said to Abiathar, I knew it in that day, that Doec the Syrian would surely tell Saul: I am guilty of the death of the house of thy father.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ τῷ Ἀβιάθαρ, ἤδειν ὅτι ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, ὅτι Δωὴκ ὁ Σύρος ὅτι ἀπαγγέλλων ἀπαγγελεῖ τῷ Σαούλ· ἐγώ εἰμι αἴτιος τῶν ψυχῶν οἴκου τοῦ πατρός σου.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd David said unto Abiathar: ‘I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul; I have brought about the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.

ThomsonStay with me. Fear not. For wherever I provide a place for my own safety, I will provide also for thy safety; for thou hast been preserved to be with me.

BrentonDwell with me; fear not, for wherever I shall seek a place of safety for my life, I will also seek a place for thy life, for thou art safely guarded while with me.

GreekΚάθου μετʼ ἐμοῦ· μὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι οὗ ἐὰν ζητῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου τόπον, ζητήσω καὶ τῇ ψυχῇ σου, ὅτι πεφύλαξαι σὺ παρʼ ἐμοί.

KJVAbide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

JPSAbide thou with me, fear not; for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life; for with me thou shalt be in safeguard.’