A new danger now presented itself. Doeg, the chief of Saul's herdsmen, who had professed the faith of the Hebrews, was now paying his vows in the place of worship. At sight of this man David determined to make haste to secure another place of refuge, and to obtain some weapon with which to defend himself if defense should become necessary. He asked Ahimelech for a sword, and was told that he had none except the sword of Goliath, which had been kept as a relic in the tabernacle. David replied, "There is none like that; give it me." His courage revived as he grasped the sword that he had once used in destroying the champion of the Philistines.

Nu truede en ny fare. Doeg, som var den øverste af Sauls hyrder, havde bekendt sig til hebræernes tro og var nu kommet til helligdommen for at indfri sine løfter. Da David så ham, besluttede han skyndsomst at finde et andet tilflugtsted og skaffe sig et eller andet våben, så han kunne forsvare sig, hvis det blev nødvendigt. Han bad Ahimelem om et sværd. Denne svarede, at han kun havde Goliats sværd, som var blevet opbevaret i tabernaklet som et minde. David svarede: "Dets lige findes ikke; giv mig det!" Han greb det sværd, som han i sin tid benyttede til at dræbe filisternes kæmpe med, og fattede nyt mod.