The king's son returned to Gibeah, and David hastened to 656 reach Nob, a city but a few miles distant, and also belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. The tabernacle had been taken to this place from Shiloh, and here Ahimelech the high priest ministered. David knew not whither to flee for refuge, except to the servant of God. The priest looked upon him with astonishment, as he came in haste and apparently alone, with a countenance marked by anxiety and sorrow. He inquired what had brought him there. The young man was in constant fear of discovery, and in his extremity he resorted to deception. David told the priest that he had been sent by the king on a secret errand, one which required the utmost expedition. Here he manifested a want of faith in God, and his sin resulted in causing the death of the high priest. Had the facts been plainly stated, Ahimelech would have known what course to pursue to preserve his life. God requires that truthfulness shall mark His people, even in the greatest peril. David asked the priest for five loaves of bread. There was nothing but hallowed bread in the possession of the man of God, but David succeeded in removing his scruples, and obtained the bread to satisfy his hunger.

Kongens søn gik tilbage til Gibea, og David skyndte sig til byen Nob, som lå nogle få kilometer borte og tilhørte Benjamins stamme. Tabernaklet var blevet flyttet fra Silo til denne by, og Ahimelek var ypperstepræst. David vidste ikke, hvor han skulle flygte hen for at redde sig; derfor opsøgte han Guds tjener. Præsten blev højlig overrasket, da han så ham, fordi han havde et sådant hastværk og tilsyneladende var alene. Desuden bar hans ansigt præg af bekymring og sorg. Præsten spurgte David, hvorfor han var kommet. Den unge mand gik i stadig frygt for at blive opdaget, og i sin store nød tog han sin tilflugt til løgn. Han sagde til præsten, at kongen havde overdraget ham et hemmeligt ærinde, som havde hast. Derved viste han, at han ikke havde tilstrækkelig tro på Gud, og hans synd kostede ypperstepræsten livet. Hvis han havde sagt sandheden, ville Ahimelek have fortalt ham, hvad han skulle gøre for at redde livet. Gud forlanger absolut ærlighed af sit folk, selv når de er i den største fare. David bad ypperstepræsten om fem brød. Guds tjener havde ikke andet end helligt brød ved hånden, men det lykkedes David at overvinde hans skrupler, så at han gav ham dette brød for at stille hans sult.