And goeth at thy bidding— Who is a prince under thy command. LXX, and Houbigant. See ch. 1 Samuel 21:1-2. Ahimelech's apology sufficiently shews his innocence. Saul's charge was, that he had conspired with David against him. What proof does he alledge? That he had given him bread and a sword, and had enquired of God for him. What was his vindication? And who amongst all thy servants is like David; faithful—and the king's son-in-law, &c.? He owns that he gave him bread and a sword, because he believed him to be the most faithful of all the king's servants; because he thought him employed in an affair of consequence for him; knew him diligent in executing his orders; and that he was of the highest esteem in his family: upon which accounts it was impossible that he could ever be justly thought to enter into conspiracy with him against his sovereign; and even Saul himself would have deeply resented it, had he refused thus to supply him upon any other occasion. As to the other part of the charge, his enquiring of God for him, Ahimelech replies, Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: or, "It is only what I have often done before, and that without any suspicion or blame," as some, and particularly Josephus, understand the words. Ant. Jud. l. vi. c. 12. sect. 5.
But it should be observed, that the sacred historian makes no mention at all of Ahimelech's consulting God for David. It was, indeed, what Doeg charged him with; but, I think, falsely and maliciously, only to heighten the king's resentment against the priests; and therefore the words may be very naturally so interpreted as to imply an absolute denial of the charge. "Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? I never did it before, nor did I begin to do it now." The verb החלתי hachillothi which we render begin, is frequently used almost as an expletive; not to denote the first beginning of an action, but the action itself as begun and finished. See Judges 20:31.Numbers 25:1. This vindication was honest and sufficient; but what was the effect of it? a resolution worthy of the tyrant that made it.