²⁰ But ^(A)one son of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, ^(B)escaped and fled ^[a]to David. ²¹ Abiathar informed David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. ²² Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when ^(C)Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would certainly tell Saul. I myself ^[b]have turned against every person in your father’s household. ²³ Stay with me; do not be afraid, ^[c]even though ^(D)he who is seeking my life is seeking your life. For you are safe with me.”

²⁶ Then to Abiathar the priest the king said, “^(A)Go to Anathoth to your own field, ^(B)for you ^[a]deserve to die; but I will not put you to death at this ^[b]time, because ^(C)you carried the ark of the Lord ^[c]God before my father David, and because ^(D)you were afflicted in everything with which my father was afflicted.”

³⁵ And ^(A)the king appointed Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in his place, and the king appointed ^(B)Zadok the priest ^(C)in place of Abiathar.