שמואל א, פרק כ״ב, פסוק י״א

King Saul’s anger and suspicion reach a boiling point, driving him to summon not only the High Priest but his entire family. In the king's mind, the assistance given to David was no personal error but a calculated, organized conspiracy to overthrow his rule. The decision to bring in the entire priestly household stems from a deep suspicion that every family member is an active participant in this rebellion [אברבנאל].

The focal point of the king's anger rests on the fact that the High Priest inquired of God on David's behalf. Saul believes this divine inquiry was specifically intended to determine whether David would succeed in his uprising and win the war against the throne [רלב״ג]. Furthermore, tradition dictates that the Urim and Thummim are reserved exclusively for a king, the head of the high court, or a central leader upon whom the public depends. By consulting God for David, the High Priest is perceived by Saul as effectively crowning David as king and actively joining the treasonous plot [אברבנאל].

This assumption of collective guilt explains why the entire family is called to face the king. As the confrontation unfolds, Saul deliberately uses the family patriarch's name in a degrading manner, suggesting that the entire bloodline is tainted by treason. Forced to defend both his own life and his family's honor, the High Priest insists that their household has never been stained by rebellion [אברבנאל]. The commentators agree that his defense rests entirely on a complete lack of awareness regarding the bitter rift between David and the king. He explains that he acted under the firm belief that David was Saul’s most loyal and senior servant, his son-in-law, and a respected, obedient military commander. Viewing David as a crucial public figure, he considered it entirely natural and proper to provide him with provisions, a sword, and divine guidance [רלב״ג, אברבנאל].