162

THE PRIESTS

KILLED.

CXIV.

yHE PRIESTS JILLED.

AS|HEN David was in the
f)| tabernacle at Nob, talk-
ing to the priests, a man
was there named Doeg.
He was keeper of Saul’s
cattle ; a very wicked man, and an
enemy of David. Saul heard that
David was escaping from place to
place, and he tried to find him, that
he might kill him, and he asked his
servants to tell him all they knew
about David, and who were his
friends who helped him to escape.
Then Doeg said, “I saw David come
to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest,
and Ahimelech gave him food, and
the sword of the giant Goliath.”
Then Saul sent for Ahimelech, and
all the priests that were at Nob.
When the priests came to Saul,
he spoke very angrily to them, and
said to Ahimelech, “Why hast thou
given bread and a sword to David
my enemy, and helped him to fight
against me, and kill me?” Ahime-
lech answered, “ David is not an
enemy; he is faithful, and obedient
to the king; and I knew nothing of
all this.” But Saul would not at-
tend to Ahimelech, and he com-
manded the servants, who stood by,
to put Ahimelech, and all the other
priests, to death. The servants
feared God more than their cruel

 

 

 

master did; and they would not
kill these holy priests. Then Saul
turned to Doeg, and told him to
kill the priests. Doeg was glad to
obey; and he drew his sword, and
slew them all, eighty-five in number,
and then went to Nob, and killed
the people there; men, and women,
and children. Only one son of
Ahimelech, named Abiathar, es-
caped, and ran to David, and told
him the sad story. David spoke
very kindly to Abiathar, and made
him come and live with him; and
they comforted one another.

How very wicked Saul had be-
come! He began with impatience
and disobedience; now, Satan made
him a murderer of God’s people.
Wicked tempers grow worse and
worse every day, if they are not sub-
dued by God’s grace. God had gone
away from Saul, because Saul would
not pray; and now, Satan and his
own wicked heart taught him to do
these dreadful things.

Abiathar was the only priest left
of Eli’s family. Many years before,
God. had said that he would destroy
them, because Eli had not punished
his wicked sons. God never forgets
what he says. He forgave Eli; but
He punished his sin.