Saul engages ina battle for people’s minds (v6-8). There is always a battle for people’s minds between good and evil, righteousness and sin.

Doeg the Edomite points the finger of blame at Ahimelech and the priests for helping David (v9-10; see 21 v7). Saul calls for Ahimelech and the priests to give an account for what they had done (v11-13). Ahimelech speaks of David’s faithfulness and decides to kill the priests (v14-16).

Saul’s servants though refuse to kill God’s appointed priests (v17). They have loyalty to their king but they draw the line in acting in such a despicable way.

Doeg the Edomite had no such reservations and committed a terrible slaughter of the priests and their families (v18-19). Only one priest called Abiathar managed to escape to report what happened to David (v20-23).

We see here something of what blind hatred can cause someone to do. Saul who was called by God to this high office now acts so despicably against God’s servants. He foolishly thinks he can do this and not suffer consequences. We all need to be so careful of hatred towards others lurking within our hearts, now is the time to confess this to God.