Saul’s Worst Passions Aroused
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Saul commanded that Ahimelech and his entire family be slain because none had come to inform him of David’s presence at Nob. “The inconsistency of jealousy was shown in this verdict. Without proving the guilt of any one of the priests, the king commanded that all the line of Eli should be slain. He had determined upon this course of action before he had sent for them or heard their side of the case. And no amount of proof could undo his malignant purpose. To vent his wrath upon one man seemed too small a matter to satisfy the fury of his revenge.” Saul’s bodyguard refused to carry out his order.
This further enraged the king, for he now thought even his palace guards were against him. “And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests” (1 Samuel 22:18).
“Now that he had permission from the king of Israel, Doeg did not hesitate to lift his hand against the servant of God, even disregarding the sacred vestments of Ahimelech as well as those of his associates. Eighty-five men fell that day before the lust of selfish greed. What a contrast here between Saul’s professed religious fervor that kept Agag alive ([1 Samuel] 15:20) and his frenzy that enabled him to perpetrate an act unparalleled in Jewish history for its barbarity.” “Saul’s rage was not appeased by the noble stand of his footmen, and he turned to the man whom he had connected with himself as a friend, because he had reported against the priests. Thus this Edomite, who was as base a character as was Barabbas, slew with his own hand eighty-five priests of the Lord in one day; and he and Saul, and he who was a murderer from the beginning, gloried over the massacre of the servants of the Lord.” The depth to which men and women will sink to retain power is appalling!
