Then the king sent to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests who were at Nob, and all of them came to the king. And Saul said, “Hear now, son of Ahitub.” And he answered, “Here I am, my lord.” And Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he has risen against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” Then Ahimelech answered the king, “And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honoured in your house? Is today the first time that I have inquired of God for him? No! Let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father, for your servant has known nothing of all this, much or little.” And the king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house.” And the king said to the guard who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with David, and they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me.” But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to strike the priests of the LORD.
Comment: I think that all of us after yesterday’s passage knew that the situation was probably going to end like this. Ahimelech, summoned by the king arrives not knowing for sure, although he may have had suspicions, what all this is about. Ahimelech is accused by Saul. When David had come to Ahimelech, he had known nothing about David being out of favour and on the wanted list. He tried to defend the very heroic David, whom he knew well, but was not listened to by Saul! He again claims innocence but gets the death sentence. But the Jews had a great respect for the priesthood and refused. So what will happen now?
Prayer: Help me to be loyal to those whom I know and trust, O Lord.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. To me, Ahimelech’s answer to Saul’s question was very well said. He put all the positives before Saul because he was not aware of what the situation between Saul and David was about. Ahimelech’s answer was very wise. The guards who disobeyed Saul’s order to kill Ahimelech and all the priests was also very wise. They knew the moods which Saul had, which would come and go. God bless you.
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