שמואל א, פרק כ״ב, פסוק ט״ו

Facing the wrath of King Saul, Ahimelech the priest mounts a desperate defense of his innocence. He explains that the assistance he provided to David was given in absolute good faith, driven entirely by David’s high rank and respected standing within the kingdom.

When defending his decision to seek guidance from God on David’s behalf, Ahimelech's explanation can be understood in two ways. The primary approach among commentators is that he speaks with astonishment, asking a rhetorical question. He argues that this was hardly the first time he had sought divine counsel for David. He had done so many times in the past when David led the nation's wars on the king's behalf, meaning his current actions should not arouse any suspicion. Alternatively, he might be speaking literally, stating that this was in fact the very first time he had asked God for David, and he did so with no knowledge that David was fleeing or that it would anger the king [רד״ק].

Horrified by the accusations, Ahimelech vehemently denies any intention of rebellion or treachery against the king [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. He pleads with Saul not to assign guilt to him or to his family [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. The priest specifically includes his father's house in this plea because Saul had summoned his entire extended family, signaling clearly that the king's suspicion had fallen upon all of them [רלב״ג, רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

Ahimelech concludes by insisting that he was completely unaware of any conflict or rebellion [מצודת דוד]. Because the severe rift between Saul and David was a closely guarded secret known only to a very small inner circle of royal servants, the priest was entirely in the dark. He acted with pure intentions, fully believing that David remained the king's most loyal servant and a central leader of the nation [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].