that it was rather in contradiction to thee than to him；
wherefore do not thou entertain any ill opinion of me； nor do
thou have a suspicion of what I then thought an act of humanity；
from what is now told thee of David's attempts against thee； for
I did then to him as to thy friend and son…in…law； and captain of
a thousand； and not as to thine adversary。〃
6。 When the high priest had spoken thus； he did not persuade
Saul； his fear was so prevalent； that he could not give credit to
an apology that was very just。 So he commanded his armed men that
stood about him to kill him； and all his kindred； but as they
durst not touch the high priest； but were more afraid of
disobeying God than the king； he ordered Doeg the Syrian to kill
them。 Accordingly； he took to his assistance such wicked men as
were like himself； and slew Ahimelech and all his family； who
were in all three hundred and eighty…five。 Saul also sent to Nob；
（21） the city of the priests； and slew all that were there；
without sparing either women or children； or any other age； and
burnt it； only there was one son of Ahimelech； whose name was
Abiathar； who escaped。 However； these things came to pass as God
had foretold to Eli the high priest； when he said that his
posterity should be destroyed； on account of the transgression of
his two sons。
7。 （22） Now this king Saul； by perpetrating so barbarous a crime；
and murdering the whole family of the high…priestly dignity； by
having no pity of the infants； nor reverence for the aged； and by
overthrowing the city which God had chosen for the property； and
for the support of the priests and prophets which were there； and
had ordained as the only city allotted for the education of such
men； gives all to understand and consider the disposition of men；
that while they are private persons； and in a low condition；
because it is not in their power to indulge nature； nor to
venture upon what they wish for； they are equitable and moderate；
and pursue nothing but what is just； and bend their whole minds
and labors that way； then it is that they have this belief about
God； that he is present to all the actions of their lives； and
that he does not only see the actions that are done； but clearly
knows those their thoughts also； whence those actions do arise。
But when once they are advanced into power and authority； then
they put off all such notions； and； as if they were no other than
actors upon a theater； they lay aside their disguised parts and
manners； and take up boldness； insolence； and a contempt of both
human and Divine laws； and this at a time when they especially
stand in need of piety and righteousness； because they are then
most of all exposed to envy； and all they think； and all they
say； are in the view of all men； then it is that they become so
insolent in their actions； as though God saw them no longer； or
were afraid of them because of their power： and whatsoever it is
that they either are afraid of by the rumors they hear； or they
hate by inclination； or they love without reason； these seem to
them to be authentic； and firm； and true； and pleasing both to
men and to God； but as to what will come hereafter； they have not
the least regard to it。 They raise those to honor indeed who have
been at a great deal of pains for them； and after that honor they
envy them； and when they have brought them into high dignity；
they do not only deprive them of what they had obtained； but
also； on that very account； of their lives also； and that on
wicked accusations； and such as on account of their extravagant
nature； are incredible。 They also punish men for their actions；
not such as deserve condemnation； but from calumnies and
accusations without examination； and this extends not only to
such as deserve to be punished； but to as many as they are able
to kill。 This reflection is openly confirmed to us from the
example of Saul； the son of Kish； who was the first king who
reigned after our aristocracy and government under the judges
were over； and that by his slaughter of three hundred priests and
prophets； on occasion of his suspicion about Ahimelech； and by
the additional wickedness of the overthrow of their city； and
this is as he were endeavoring in some sort to render the temple
＇tabernacle＇ destitute both of priests and prophets； which
endeavor he showed by slaying so many of them； and not suffering
the very city belonging to 。them to remain； that so others might
succeed them。
8。 But Abiathar； the son of Ahimelech； who alone could be saved
out of the family of priests slain by Saul； fled to David； and
informed him of the calamity that had befallen their family； and
of the slaughter of his father； who hereupon said； He was not
unapprised of what would follow with relation to them when he saw
Doeg there； for he had then a suspicion that the high priest
would be falsely accused by him to the king； and he blamed
himself as having been the cause of this misfortune。 But he
desired him to stay there； and abide with him； as in a place
where he might be better concealed than any where else。
CHAPTER 13。
How David； When He Had Twice The Opportunity Of Killing Saul Did
Not Kill Him。 Also Concerning The Death Of Samuel And Nabal。
1。 About this time it was that David heard how the Philistines
had made an inroad into the country of Keilah； and robbed it； so
he offered himself to fight against them； if God； when he should
be consulted by the prophet； would grant him the victory。 And
when the prophet said that God gave a signal of victory； he made
a sudden onset upon the Philistines with his companions； and he
shed a great deal of their blood； and carried off their prey； and
staid with the inhabitants of Keilah till they had securely
gathered in their corn and their fruits。 However； it was told
Saul the king that David was with the men of Keilah； for what had
been done and the great success that had attended him； were not
confined among the people where the things were done； but the
fame of it went all abroad； and came to the hearing of others；
and both the fact as it stood； and the author of the fact； were
carried to the king's ears。 Then was Saul glad when he heard
David was in Keilah； and he said； 〃God hath now put him into my
hands； since he hath obliged him to come into a city that hath
walls； and gates； and bars。〃 So he commanded all the people
suddenly； and when they had besieged and taken it to kill David。
But when David perceived this； and learned of God that if he
staid there the men of Keilah would deliver him up to Saul； he
took his four hundred men and retired into a desert that was over
against a city called Engedi。 So that when the king heard he was
fled away from the men of Keilah； he left off his expedition
against him。
2。 Then David removed thence； and came to a certain place called
the New Place； belonging to Ziph； where Jonathan； the son of
Saul； came to him； and saluted him； and exhorted him to be of
good courage； and to hope well as to his condition hereafter； and
not to despond at his present circumstances； for that he should
be king； and have all the forces of the Hebrews under him： he
told him that such happiness uses to come with great labor and
pains： they also took oaths； that they would； all their lives
long； continue in good…will and fidelity one to another； and he
called God to witness； as to what execrations he had made upon
himself if he should transgress his covenant； and should change
to a contrary behavior。 So Jonathan left him there； having
rendered his cares and fears somewhat lighter； and returned home。
Now the men of Ziph； to gratify Saul； informed him that David
abode with them； and ＇assured him＇ that if he would come to them；
they would deliver him up； for that if the king would seize on
the Straits of Ziph； David would not escape to any other people。
So the king commended them； and confessed that he had reason to
thank them； because they had given him information of his enemy；
and he promised them； that it should not be long ere he would
requite their kindness。 He also sent men to seek for David； and
to search the wilderness wherein he was； and he promised that he
himself would follow them。 Accordingly they went before the king；
to hunt for and to catch David； and used endeavors； not only to
show their good…will to Saul； by informing him where his enemy
was； but to evidence the same more plainly by delivering him up
into his power。 But these men failed of those their unjust and
wicked desires； who； while they underwent no hazard by not
discovering such an ambition of revealing this to Saul； yet did
they falsely accuse and promise to deliver up a man beloved of
God； and one that was unjustly sought after to be put to death；
and one that might otherwise have lain concealed； and this out of
flattery； and expectation of gain from the king； for when David
was apprized of the malignant intentions of the men of Ziph； and
the approach of Saul； he left the Straits of that country； and
fled to the great rock that was in the wilderness of Maon。
3。 Hereupon Saul made haste to pursue him thither； for； as he was
marching； he learned that David was gone away from the Straits of
Ziph； and Saul removed to the other side of the rock。 But the
report that the Philistines had again made an incursion into the
country of the Hebrews； called Saul another way from the pursuit
of David； when he was ready to be caught； for he returned back
again to oppose those Philistines； who were naturally their
enemies； as judging it more necessary to avenge himself of them；
than to take a great deal of pains to catch an enemy of his own；
and to overlook the ravage that was made in the land。
4。 And by this means David unexpectedly escaped out of the danger
he was in； and came to the Straits of Engedi； and when Saul had
driven the Philistines out of the land； there came some
messengers； who told him that David abode within the bounds of
Engedi： so he took three thousand chosen men that were armed； and
made haste to him； and when he was not far from those places； he
saw a deep and hollow cave by the way…side； it was open to a
great length and breadth； and there it was that David with his
fo