Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Samuel 22:18-19 (New Living Translation)

¹⁸ Then the king said to Doeg, “You do it.” So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments. ¹⁹ Then he went to Nob, the town of the priests, and killed the priests’ families—men and women, children and babies—and all the cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats.

This (hi)story is part of Saul’s tragic chase of David. A Priest in Nob, Ahimelech, aided David by giving him food and weapons. Ahimelech confessed openly. To paraphrase him, “Of course I helped David. He is the King’s son-in-law. I always help him in any way I can.”

Saul commanded his soldiers to kill the Priest(s). They refused. They would not kill those appointed by God to minister.

Doeg, from Edom, complied with Saul’s wishes. He murdered 85 Priests. He then murdered the families of the Priests – men, women, children, and babies.

This is one of the worst mass murders recorded in the Bible.