David Flees
413
Edomite turned informer. Moved by ambition and avarice and by
hatred of the priest who had reproved his sins, Doeg reported David’s
visit to Ahimelech in such a light as to kindle Saul’s anger against the
man of God. Maddened with rage, he declared that the whole family
of the priest should perish. Not only Ahimelech, but the members of
his father’s house—“four-score and five persons that did wear a linen
ephod”—were slain at the king’s command by the murderous hand of
Doeg. This is what Saul could do under the control of Satan.
This deed filled all Israel with horror. It was the king whom they
had chosen that had committed this outrage. The ark was with them,
but the priests of whom they had inquired were slain with the sword.
What would come next?
[480]