1 Samuel 21-24 NKJV
David Flees to Nob
1 Samuel 21 (NKJV)
After being rejected by King Saul, David fled to the town of Nob, where he met with the priest Ahimelech. David told Ahimelech that he was on a secret mission for the king and asked for bread and a sword.
21:1-9
Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said, "Why are you alone, and no one is with you?" So David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, 'Let no one know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.' And I have directed my young men to such and such a place." Now therefore, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my bag, or what you can find."
David asked for five loaves of bread and a sword, saying that the king had sent him on a secret mission. However, Ahimelech was unaware that David was fleeing from Saul.
The Betrayal of Doeg
1 Samuel 22 (NKJV)
Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief herdsman, was present at Nob and witnessed David's encounter with Ahimelech. Doeg reported back to Saul, accusing Ahimelech and his family of treason.
22:6-19
When Saul heard that David had fled to Nob, he sent messengers to capture him. But when they arrived, they found only the priestly garments and the bread of the Presence. Saul then questioned Ahimelech and his family, asking why they had helped David. Ahimelech explained that he did not know that David was fleeing from Saul.
Saul, in his anger, ordered the execution of Ahimelech and his family. Only Abiathar, one of Ahimelech's sons, escaped and fled to David.
David's Lament
1 Samuel 23 (NKJV)
David and his men fled to the wilderness of Ziph, where Saul pursued them. David wrote a lament for the priests of Nob, who were slain by Saul.
23:26-29
And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the wilderness of Ziph?" Therefore, come down, O king, according to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand. And Saul said, "May you be blessed of the Lord, for you have compassion on me."
Saul and his men pursued David, but a messenger arrived with news that the Philistines were attacking Keilah. Saul and his men went to defend the city, leaving David and his men to flee to the wilderness of Maon.
David Spares Saul's Life
1 Samuel 24 (NKJV)
David and his men lived in the wilderness of En Gedi, where they encountered Saul in a cave. David cut off the corner of Saul's robe, but he spared Saul's life, saying that he would not harm the Lord's anointed.
24:1-22
Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi." Therefore, Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men in the Wilderness of Ziph. And Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to take them.
David called out to Saul, revealing that he had spared his life, and urged him to cease his pursuit. Saul, moved by David's words, acknowledged his wrongdoing and asked for David's forgiveness. The two men parted ways, but David knew that Saul would continue to pursue him.
