Ahimelech replied to the king, ‘Who among all your servants is as faithful as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and honoured in your house.
The Lord will repay every man for his righteousness and his loyalty. I wasn’t willing to lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed, even though the Lord handed you over to me today.
Look, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. Recognise that I’ve committed no crime or rebellion. I haven’t sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
Saul asked him, ‘Why did you and Jesse’s son conspire against me? You gave him bread and a sword and enquired of God for him, so he could rise up against me and wait in ambush, as is the case today.’
David answered the priest Ahimelech, ‘The king gave me a mission, but he told me, “Don’t let anyone know anything about the mission I’m sending you on or what I have ordered you to do.” I have stationed my young men at a certain place.
David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as full payment to the king to become his son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David as his wife.
Previously, an Israelite man had declared, ‘Do you see this man who keeps coming out? He comes to defy Israel. The king will make the man who kills him very rich and will give him his daughter. The king will also make the family of that man’s father exempt from paying taxes in Israel.’
Please forgive your servant’s offence, for the Lord is certain to make a lasting dynasty for my lord because he fights the Lord’s battles. Throughout your life, may evil not be found in you.