ions, 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