Then cameDavidto NobtoAhimelechthe priest: and Ahimelechwas afraidat the meetingof David, and saidunto him, Why art thoualone, and nomanwiththee? And Davidsaidunto Ahimelechthe priest, The kinghath commandedme a business, and hath saiduntome, Let nomanknowany thingof the businesswhereaboutIsendthee, and whatI have commandedthee: and I have appointed my servantstosuchand sucha place. Nowtherefore whatisunderthine hand? give me five loaves of breadin mine hand, orwhat there is present. And the priestansweredDavid, and said, There is nocommonbreadundermine hand, butthere ishallowedbread; ifthe young menhave kept themselvesat leastfrom women. And Davidansweredthe priest, and saidunto him, Ofa truth women have been keptfrom us about these threedays, since I came out, and the vesselsof the young menare holy, and the bread is in a mannercommon, yea, thoughit were sanctifiedthis dayin the vessel. So the priestgavehim hallowed bread : forthere wasnobreadtherebutthe shewbread, that was takenfrom beforethe LORD, to puthotbreadin the daywhen it was taken away. Now a certain manof the servantsof Saul was therethatday, detainedbeforethe LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefestof the herdsmenthat belonged to Saul. And Davidsaidunto Ahimelech, And is therenothereunderthine handspearorsword? forI have neitherbroughtmy swordnormy weaponswithme, becausethe king's businessrequiredhaste. And the priestsaid, The swordof Goliaththe Philistine, whomthou slewestin the valleyof Elah, behold, it is here wrappedin a clothbehindthe ephod: ifthou wilt takethat, take it : for there is noothersavethat here. And Davidsaid, There is nonelike that; giveit me. And Davidarose, and fledthatdayfor fear ofSaul, and wenttoAchishthe kingof Gath. And the servantsof Achishsaiduntohim, Is notthisDavidthe kingof the land? did they notsing one to anotherof himin dances, saying, Saulhath slainhis thousands, and Davidhis ten thousands? And Davidlaid upthesewordsin his heart, and was soreafraidofAchishthe kingof Gath. And he changedhis behaviorbeforethem, and feigned himself madin their hands, and scrabbledonthe doorsof the gate, and let his spittlefall downuponhis beard. Then saidAchishuntohis servants, Lo, ye seethe manis mad: wherefore then have ye broughthim tome? Have Ineedof mad men, thatye have broughtthis fellow to play the mad manin my presence? shall this fellow comeintomy house?