June 18, 2025 • 24 mins
# 174 - The Slaughter of Nob - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, King Saul’s fear turns to fury as he unleashes a brutal massacre against the innocent priests of Nob. Through heartbreak and horror, we explore how power corrupted by fear can devastate lives—and how even in the darkest moments, God’s justice and mercy still whisper through the silence.
Episode 174 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
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Show Notes:
(0_:__) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(0_:__) The Slaughter of Nob
(__:__) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the Chosen People. David had to be careful.
He had to be clever. As he trudged through the
hills outside Knob, a wisp of smoke caught his eye.
The temple of Ahimelek.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Young David, it's peculiar to see you at such an
hour and alone. No less Ah, I am on an
urgent mission from the King.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
The lies filled out of David's mouth before he had
time to regret it. His lips tasted of ash.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Then may the Lord bless you and keep you young David.
You are a protector of Israel, and you deserve to
be fed. This is the sword of Goliath, the Philistine,
your sword you wounded that day in the valley of Elah.
We took great care of it, knowing it was a
(00:54):
reminder of the faithfulness of our God. Thank you for
your kindness for everything.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
With that, he took his leave, stepping out into the
cold night, gripping a torch in one hand and the
basket of bread in the other. Doeg the Edomite leaned
lazily against the wooden fence, his expression unreadable as he
watched David disappear into the hills. His gaze flicked back
(01:24):
toward the temple, where Ahimelek and his priests remained inside,
blissfully unaware of what their kindness would cost them.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Shallo, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel,
i'm ya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day
we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories
filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning
of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth
(02:00):
that we are all chosen for something great. So take
a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling
extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if
you left us a review. I read every single one
of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about
the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can
(02:21):
visit IFCJ dot Org. Let's begin.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Film the top.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
All of Saul's voice ripped through the camp like a
blade through silk. His spear swung wildly in his hand,
the point flashing each time the torchlight caught it. Beneath
the tamarisk tree, his servants knelt, their faces pressed to
the dirt. Saul paced like a wolf around a carcass,
(02:54):
his fingers flexed and unflexed along the shaft of his spear.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
A peasant son of Jesse has had your manhood clutched
in his fists all this time, hasn't he?
Speaker 6 (03:09):
He turned you all against me.
Speaker 7 (03:12):
You whisper to him behind my back.
Speaker 8 (03:15):
Feed him secrets, betray your own king for a shepherd boy.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Saul swung at a low hanging branch, striking once, trice thrice,
until the woods splintered and fell. He shouted a guttural
sound from deep in his chest, and then turned the
tip of his spear toward his men. Will that boy
gift you vineyards and silver?
Speaker 9 (03:45):
Will?
Speaker 5 (03:47):
Is it's David who will make you lords of this land?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
He drape you in purple and gold, make you commanders
of thousands.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
And let you ride beside him when he takes my throne.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
One of the elders old and bent, lifted his trembling hands.
Speaker 10 (04:13):
Oh, my king, oh you unloyal every man here bends
his knee to you.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Soul lung, start seizing the elder by the cloak. The
old man's feet left the ground, and his breath came
in shallow gasps. Saul's grip was iron, his arms trembling
with the effort not to drive the spear straight through
the man's gut.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
Go loyal, loyal man would have told me that my
old son plots trees and beneath my roof loyal men.
What not, let Jonavan stir up rebellion.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
For the why scheming her fast? Loyal men would have
brought me that bastard son of JESSI.
Speaker 9 (05:10):
By now.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
The elder's eyes were wide with terror. Soul pressed the
spearhead to his throat. Just shithe the skin.
Speaker 7 (05:21):
I hear his numbers grow by the day, more than
six hundred men now rally to him.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Six hundred.
Speaker 9 (05:36):
Does a boy gather an army alone?
Speaker 8 (05:39):
No?
Speaker 7 (05:40):
He has help.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
He has traitors feeding him. From my own table.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
The camp was silent save for the wind whistling through
the tamarisk leaves. Then a voice, calm, smooth and venomous,
spoke from the rear of the gathering.
Speaker 8 (06:02):
You have one servant, my king, who still knows how
to be useful.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
The men parted without being told, and doeg the eder
might stepped forward. He was long, lind and thin, a
serpent of a man with a smile that never reached
his eyes. He bowed low, too low, and when he stood,
his smile widened.
Speaker 8 (06:27):
My gracious king, I have seen first hand who conspires
with the son of Jesse.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Saul's grip eased on the elder's cloak, and the old
man slid to the ground.
Speaker 9 (06:41):
Speak, doig, what have you seen?
Speaker 6 (06:46):
I have birds everywhere, good king, eyes and ears fluttering
about sharing whispers. My birds told me that the son
of Jesse venture to knob. I telled him there in
the altars of a Himelach saw David with my own eyes.
He sought refuge there and there he was giving bread, provisions,
(07:08):
and even a weapon.
Speaker 9 (07:11):
What weapon?
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Dogs? Smile was all teeth, he enjoyed secrets. Each was
a morsel to be savored.
Speaker 6 (07:22):
Sword of Goliath.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Saul's hands shook so fiercely that the spear rattled, His
breath came in short bursts, and the vein at his
temple pulsed like a drum.
Speaker 9 (07:35):
Even the priests turn against me.
Speaker 6 (07:38):
They raised their hands to bless the traitor. This is
Samuel's doing.
Speaker 5 (07:46):
They conspire in the house of God to overthrow God's
annoying heed. Bring Amelek and every priest in knot, bind
them in chains and drag them here before me.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
The officers exchanged wary glances, but none dared refuse him.
One by one, they mounted their horses and rode toward
knob Ahimelek and his students were dragged into Saul's throne room.
Blood already crusted along the priest's brow, and his lips
(08:22):
split wide from the hands that had yanked him from
his bed. His robes were torn at the hem, stained
with dirt and the sweat of fear. The priests stood together,
hands bound, their bare feet, shivering on the cold stone floor.
A great fire burned at the center of the room,
(08:43):
its flames casting twisting shadows across the walls. Saw loomed
above them on his throne, his spear tapping a slow
rhythm against the wood. Each sound gnawed at Ahimelek's nerves.
Speaker 9 (08:58):
Er himmler, some mamm heat ahem.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Alex swallowed hard, the taste of iron in his mouth.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Yes, my King, I am here.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
The king leaned forward, fingers curled tight around the sphere.
His eyes were dark pits, hollowed out by sleepless nights,
and gnawed roar by his own madness.
Speaker 9 (09:27):
Why did you do it?
Speaker 5 (09:29):
Er him alike?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
I beg your pardon, my king, Why have I done what?
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Don't play dumb, priest, I know you have conspired against me.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
The priest's mouth opened, but the word stuck to his
tongue like ash. Saul continued, You sheltered.
Speaker 9 (09:52):
The sun of Jesse.
Speaker 7 (09:54):
You give him bread, give him fire, give him a sword,
sort of.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Co lion king, swamow. He is your servant.
Speaker 9 (10:05):
He came in your name.
Speaker 6 (10:07):
Do you take me for a pool?
Speaker 8 (10:09):
Do you?
Speaker 1 (10:11):
Saul swung his spear sideways, sending a lamppost flying onto
the floor. Oils spilled and ripples of flames danced on
the cobbled floor. The flames turned blue from the mixture
of oils in the stone. Saul's eyes radiated with intensity.
Speaker 9 (10:31):
My I knew nothing of this.
Speaker 11 (10:35):
Who in all your house has been as royal as David?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Is he not your son?
Speaker 9 (10:39):
My marriage?
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Did you not name him captain of your guard when
he came to be a I thought he was your
most trusted man.
Speaker 6 (10:48):
How could I have known that it's iron and he
was a fugitive?
Speaker 7 (10:52):
Why all lies?
Speaker 5 (10:58):
You priests love to hide behind holy.
Speaker 9 (11:02):
Words, But I see through the veil.
Speaker 5 (11:08):
You're just like Samuel.
Speaker 10 (11:10):
You don't claim to be for the nation, but you've been.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Corupted by the siren songs of David contrayers, every last
one of you.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Saul's muscles rippled with rage, the veins in his neck
nearly tore out from his skin.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
Surround these false face.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
His guards obeyed, forming a ring of steel around the
trembling men. Saul's hands shot into the air.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
Kill them all but the wars of his house. Remember
what it means to betray the anointed king.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
But no one moved. The gods stood still, swords in hand,
yet none raised a blade. They looked at one another,
unwilling to be the first to spill the blood of priests.
Speaker 7 (12:01):
Here was the dark, I said, kill.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Them still, The men remained still. It was the same
as when he had accused Jonathan. He had the men's
fear that they wouldn't cross that line. Then Saul turned
to doeg who stood at his side like a loyal
hound waiting for a scrap.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
Want to prove your loyalty?
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Eager do eggs smile slithered across his face, thin and sharp.
He took the offered sword without hesitation. The polished steel,
catching the firelight. Saul stepped down close enough for a
heeme elect to smell the wine on his breath.
Speaker 9 (12:49):
Pray, aw, you what pray until you're five? Doesn't mad?
(13:09):
I have found blood to be fickle and death in these.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
Ohs ahime aloud, closed his eyes, lips moving silently. In
one last prayer, doe Egg showed no mercy. The sword
cut fast and deep, splitting skin and sinew, until the
priest collapsed to the floor, his blood rushing out like
(13:39):
spilled wine. The other priests screamed, but their bonds held tight.
Do Egg moved through them like a butcher at work,
his blade swinging left and right. Their blood painted the floor,
pooling at Saul's feet. Eighty five priests died that night,
(14:00):
each one cut down in their linen robes, their prayers
swallowed by steel. All except one Abiathar a Heemelech's sun
flinched as Doig's blade came down. He missed his neck
and sliced through his bonds. Instead, he bolted his feet,
(14:22):
slipping on the blood soaked stones. Saul's spear whistled past
his ear, embedding itself in the wooden frame of the
winow as Abiathar leaped through it, vanishing into the night.
Speaker 9 (14:35):
Let him go.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Saul's voice was cold and empty. He stepped down from
the dais sandals, squelching in blood. He wrinkled his nose
and wiped the gore from his foot with the hem
of a dead man's robe.
Speaker 9 (14:52):
I am not done yet.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
He turned to Doeg, whose face was slick with sweat
and splattered red.
Speaker 9 (15:03):
Gather men, men who fear me more than they fear
the heavens, find hired swords. If you must go to
nob culle every man, every woman, every child, leave not
(15:27):
a single soul alive, not even the babes at the breast.
Speaker 7 (15:32):
Tear at them asunder.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
I want their screams to pierce the threshold of heaven.
Maybe then God will hear me and answer.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
The order fell from his lips like a curse from
Hell itself. Doe Egg bowed low, smiling still, and left
to carry out the slaughter. Before dawn, the streets of
Gnobor and read homes were said to the torch. Children
were dragged screaming from their beds. Mothers lay dead with
(16:09):
infants in their arms. The priests had been the first
to die, but the lord's house was not spared. Blood
soaked the altar itself. The cries of the innocent echoed
in the heavens, but Saul heard nothing but silence. The
King of Israel had become the enemy of his god.
(16:34):
Abiathar ran through the dark, his breath ragged, his robes
torn to filthy ribbons by thorn and branch. His lungs
were iron heavy and unrelenting, and with each step the
fire in his chest burned hotter. Blood slicked his heels
where sharp rocks had torn the skin. The boy stumbled,
(16:57):
but did not fall. He couldn't, not until he found David.
The sky above the forest of Herath was black as pitch,
clouds pressing low against the tree tops, suffocating the stars.
In the distance. Scattered fires flickered, small and uncertain against
the vast dark. Abiathar's heart leaped at the sight. The
(17:22):
caves of Adullam were behind him, but this, this had
to be David's new camp. He took one step forward,
and cold iron kissed his throat. Two spears crossed before him,
their tips glinting red with firelight.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
Not another step, Speak your name, and speak it.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Softly, Abiathar raised his trembling hands.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Please, I need to speak with David.
Speaker 9 (17:50):
What makes you think David's here.
Speaker 6 (17:53):
I'm no spy, David's my friend.
Speaker 10 (17:55):
I swear I'm the son of a Himelech, the priest
of na O god Sos killed them, Oh, he's killed
them all.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
The guards exchanged a look. Guilt hung between them like fog.
Slowly they lowered their spears. One of them knelt a
broad shouldered man with dark hair tied back and a
smile too warm for a night so cold. You've come
a long way, haven't you come.
Speaker 9 (18:27):
I'll bring you into camp. My name is Uriah a Hatti.
It would be my honor to carry you to our
fire and fill your belly.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Aviathar was too exhausted to argue. Uriah hefted him up
as if the boy weighed nothing, carrying him down into
the camp, where men huddled close to their fires, sharpening
blades and mending armor. They were outlaws, but they carried
themselves with the grim confidence of soldiers. Uriah set Aviathar
(18:58):
down by a copper pot that steamed with broth. He
ladled out a bowl and pressed it into the boy's hands.
Wait here, Abiathar nodded, though his hands shook so badly
that broth sloshed over the side of the bowl. He
sipped anyway, scalding his tongue. His mind drifted back to
(19:21):
the throne room, slick with blood. Back to his father's
throat yawning open. Back to Saul's eyes gleaming with madness.
The stew was bitter in his mouth. Her shadow fell
over him. Abiathar flinched. The voice was gentle, familiar. Abiathar
(19:44):
twisted around and saw David standing over him. His hair tangled,
his cloak frayed, his eyes dark with worry. The boy
dropped the bowl and leaped to his feet.
Speaker 10 (19:56):
David, he killed them, all the priests, knob all of them.
My father, Ah, I saw him far, I saw the
sword cut his through.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
His voice broke, swallowed by sobs. David caught him, arms
wrapping around the boy like a shield.
Speaker 10 (20:22):
I'm so sorry, God help me, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Aviathar's tears soaked into David's cloak. The smell of smoke
and damp wool filled the boy's nostrils, mingling with blood
and broth and grief. David's hands shook as they held
him the weight of his own guilt pressed down on
him like Saul's spear. Missus, I'm too rag treading woods.
Speaker 6 (20:57):
My sins put him in the path of the king madness.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
He knelt his face level with the boys and looked
him in the eye.
Speaker 11 (21:07):
But hear me now, abyetha son of Ahimelech. From this
moment forward, you are mine.
Speaker 6 (21:16):
You live under my protection.
Speaker 11 (21:19):
Eat from my fire, asleep beneath my roof, such as
it is. And if any man can sin, lowliest wretch
lays a hand on you, I swear by the Lord
who made me, I will kill him myself.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
The boy fell into David's arms again, trembling with grief
and relief alike. Overhead, the clouds thickened heavy with rain,
and the skies grumbled like distant drums of war. David
lifted his face to the heavens. No stars shone through
(21:55):
the clouds. The world itself seemed to hold its breath,
But deep inside him, in a place only God could see,
her storm had begun to stir. David's heart was changing.
He had been a shepherd, her son, a servant. But
(22:16):
now now David would become a sword.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and
it has affected your life. We'd love it if you
left her of view. We read them, and me personally,
I cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully.
I leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six
IV Hashem vishmerechra Yeah Heir hashempanavele y sa hashemple.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Shalon.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the
Lord make his face shine you. May he be gracious
to you, Made the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace. Amen.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein
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(23:32):
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(23:53):
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Previously on the Chosen People. David had to be careful.
He had to be clever. As he trudged through the
hills outside Knob, a wisp of smoke caught his eye.
The temple of Ahimelek.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Young David, it's peculiar to see you at such an
hour and alone. No less Ah, I am on an
urgent mission from the King.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
The lies filled out of David's mouth before he had
time to regret it. His lips tasted of ash.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Then may the Lord bless you and keep you young David.
You are a protector of Israel, and you deserve to
be fed. This is the sword of Goliath, the Philistine,
your sword you wounded that day in the valley of Elah.
We took great care of it, knowing it was a
(00:54):
reminder of the faithfulness of our God. Thank you for
your kindness for everything.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
With that, he took his leave, stepping out into the
cold night, gripping a torch in one hand and the
basket of bread in the other. Doeg the Edomite leaned
lazily against the wooden fence, his expression unreadable as he
watched David disappear into the hills. His gaze flicked back
(01:24):
toward the temple, where Ahimelek and his priests remained inside,
blissfully unaware of what their kindness would cost them.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Shallo, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel,
i'm ya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day
we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories
filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning
of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth
(02:00):
that we are all chosen for something great. So take
a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling
extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if
you left us a review. I read every single one
of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about
the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can
(02:21):
visit IFCJ dot Org. Let's begin.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Film the top.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
All of Saul's voice ripped through the camp like a
blade through silk. His spear swung wildly in his hand,
the point flashing each time the torchlight caught it. Beneath
the tamarisk tree, his servants knelt, their faces pressed to
the dirt. Saul paced like a wolf around a carcass,
(02:54):
his fingers flexed and unflexed along the shaft of his spear.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
A peasant son of Jesse has had your manhood clutched
in his fists all this time, hasn't he?
Speaker 6 (03:09):
He turned you all against me.
Speaker 7 (03:12):
You whisper to him behind my back.
Speaker 8 (03:15):
Feed him secrets, betray your own king for a shepherd boy.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Saul swung at a low hanging branch, striking once, trice thrice,
until the woods splintered and fell. He shouted a guttural
sound from deep in his chest, and then turned the
tip of his spear toward his men. Will that boy
gift you vineyards and silver?
Speaker 9 (03:45):
Will?
Speaker 5 (03:47):
Is it's David who will make you lords of this land?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
He drape you in purple and gold, make you commanders
of thousands.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
And let you ride beside him when he takes my throne.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
One of the elders old and bent, lifted his trembling hands.
Speaker 10 (04:13):
Oh, my king, oh you unloyal every man here bends
his knee to you.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Soul lung, start seizing the elder by the cloak. The
old man's feet left the ground, and his breath came
in shallow gasps. Saul's grip was iron, his arms trembling
with the effort not to drive the spear straight through
the man's gut.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
Go loyal, loyal man would have told me that my
old son plots trees and beneath my roof loyal men.
What not, let Jonavan stir up rebellion.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
For the why scheming her fast? Loyal men would have
brought me that bastard son of JESSI.
Speaker 9 (05:10):
By now.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
The elder's eyes were wide with terror. Soul pressed the
spearhead to his throat. Just shithe the skin.
Speaker 7 (05:21):
I hear his numbers grow by the day, more than
six hundred men now rally to him.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Six hundred.
Speaker 9 (05:36):
Does a boy gather an army alone?
Speaker 8 (05:39):
No?
Speaker 7 (05:40):
He has help.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
He has traitors feeding him. From my own table.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
The camp was silent save for the wind whistling through
the tamarisk leaves. Then a voice, calm, smooth and venomous,
spoke from the rear of the gathering.
Speaker 8 (06:02):
You have one servant, my king, who still knows how
to be useful.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
The men parted without being told, and doeg the eder
might stepped forward. He was long, lind and thin, a
serpent of a man with a smile that never reached
his eyes. He bowed low, too low, and when he stood,
his smile widened.
Speaker 8 (06:27):
My gracious king, I have seen first hand who conspires
with the son of Jesse.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Saul's grip eased on the elder's cloak, and the old
man slid to the ground.
Speaker 9 (06:41):
Speak, doig, what have you seen?
Speaker 6 (06:46):
I have birds everywhere, good king, eyes and ears fluttering
about sharing whispers. My birds told me that the son
of Jesse venture to knob. I telled him there in
the altars of a Himelach saw David with my own eyes.
He sought refuge there and there he was giving bread, provisions,
(07:08):
and even a weapon.
Speaker 9 (07:11):
What weapon?
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Dogs? Smile was all teeth, he enjoyed secrets. Each was
a morsel to be savored.
Speaker 6 (07:22):
Sword of Goliath.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Saul's hands shook so fiercely that the spear rattled, His
breath came in short bursts, and the vein at his
temple pulsed like a drum.
Speaker 9 (07:35):
Even the priests turn against me.
Speaker 6 (07:38):
They raised their hands to bless the traitor. This is
Samuel's doing.
Speaker 5 (07:46):
They conspire in the house of God to overthrow God's
annoying heed. Bring Amelek and every priest in knot, bind
them in chains and drag them here before me.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
The officers exchanged wary glances, but none dared refuse him.
One by one, they mounted their horses and rode toward
knob Ahimelek and his students were dragged into Saul's throne room.
Blood already crusted along the priest's brow, and his lips
(08:22):
split wide from the hands that had yanked him from
his bed. His robes were torn at the hem, stained
with dirt and the sweat of fear. The priests stood together,
hands bound, their bare feet, shivering on the cold stone floor.
A great fire burned at the center of the room,
(08:43):
its flames casting twisting shadows across the walls. Saw loomed
above them on his throne, his spear tapping a slow
rhythm against the wood. Each sound gnawed at Ahimelek's nerves.
Speaker 9 (08:58):
Er himmler, some mamm heat ahem.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Alex swallowed hard, the taste of iron in his mouth.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Yes, my King, I am here.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
The king leaned forward, fingers curled tight around the sphere.
His eyes were dark pits, hollowed out by sleepless nights,
and gnawed roar by his own madness.
Speaker 9 (09:27):
Why did you do it?
Speaker 5 (09:29):
Er him alike?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
I beg your pardon, my king, Why have I done what?
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Don't play dumb, priest, I know you have conspired against me.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
The priest's mouth opened, but the word stuck to his
tongue like ash. Saul continued, You sheltered.
Speaker 9 (09:52):
The sun of Jesse.
Speaker 7 (09:54):
You give him bread, give him fire, give him a sword,
sort of.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Co lion king, swamow. He is your servant.
Speaker 9 (10:05):
He came in your name.
Speaker 6 (10:07):
Do you take me for a pool?
Speaker 8 (10:09):
Do you?
Speaker 1 (10:11):
Saul swung his spear sideways, sending a lamppost flying onto
the floor. Oils spilled and ripples of flames danced on
the cobbled floor. The flames turned blue from the mixture
of oils in the stone. Saul's eyes radiated with intensity.
Speaker 9 (10:31):
My I knew nothing of this.
Speaker 11 (10:35):
Who in all your house has been as royal as David?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Is he not your son?
Speaker 9 (10:39):
My marriage?
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Did you not name him captain of your guard when
he came to be a I thought he was your
most trusted man.
Speaker 6 (10:48):
How could I have known that it's iron and he
was a fugitive?
Speaker 7 (10:52):
Why all lies?
Speaker 5 (10:58):
You priests love to hide behind holy.
Speaker 9 (11:02):
Words, But I see through the veil.
Speaker 5 (11:08):
You're just like Samuel.
Speaker 10 (11:10):
You don't claim to be for the nation, but you've been.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Corupted by the siren songs of David contrayers, every last
one of you.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Saul's muscles rippled with rage, the veins in his neck
nearly tore out from his skin.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
Surround these false face.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
His guards obeyed, forming a ring of steel around the
trembling men. Saul's hands shot into the air.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
Kill them all but the wars of his house. Remember
what it means to betray the anointed king.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
But no one moved. The gods stood still, swords in hand,
yet none raised a blade. They looked at one another,
unwilling to be the first to spill the blood of priests.
Speaker 7 (12:01):
Here was the dark, I said, kill.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Them still, The men remained still. It was the same
as when he had accused Jonathan. He had the men's
fear that they wouldn't cross that line. Then Saul turned
to doeg who stood at his side like a loyal
hound waiting for a scrap.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
Want to prove your loyalty?
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Eager do eggs smile slithered across his face, thin and sharp.
He took the offered sword without hesitation. The polished steel,
catching the firelight. Saul stepped down close enough for a
heeme elect to smell the wine on his breath.
Speaker 9 (12:49):
Pray, aw, you what pray until you're five? Doesn't mad?
(13:09):
I have found blood to be fickle and death in these.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
Ohs ahime aloud, closed his eyes, lips moving silently. In
one last prayer, doe Egg showed no mercy. The sword
cut fast and deep, splitting skin and sinew, until the
priest collapsed to the floor, his blood rushing out like
(13:39):
spilled wine. The other priests screamed, but their bonds held tight.
Do Egg moved through them like a butcher at work,
his blade swinging left and right. Their blood painted the floor,
pooling at Saul's feet. Eighty five priests died that night,
(14:00):
each one cut down in their linen robes, their prayers
swallowed by steel. All except one Abiathar a Heemelech's sun
flinched as Doig's blade came down. He missed his neck
and sliced through his bonds. Instead, he bolted his feet,
(14:22):
slipping on the blood soaked stones. Saul's spear whistled past
his ear, embedding itself in the wooden frame of the
winow as Abiathar leaped through it, vanishing into the night.
Speaker 9 (14:35):
Let him go.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Saul's voice was cold and empty. He stepped down from
the dais sandals, squelching in blood. He wrinkled his nose
and wiped the gore from his foot with the hem
of a dead man's robe.
Speaker 9 (14:52):
I am not done yet.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
He turned to Doeg, whose face was slick with sweat
and splattered red.
Speaker 9 (15:03):
Gather men, men who fear me more than they fear
the heavens, find hired swords. If you must go to
nob culle every man, every woman, every child, leave not
(15:27):
a single soul alive, not even the babes at the breast.
Speaker 7 (15:32):
Tear at them asunder.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
I want their screams to pierce the threshold of heaven.
Maybe then God will hear me and answer.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
The order fell from his lips like a curse from
Hell itself. Doe Egg bowed low, smiling still, and left
to carry out the slaughter. Before dawn, the streets of
Gnobor and read homes were said to the torch. Children
were dragged screaming from their beds. Mothers lay dead with
(16:09):
infants in their arms. The priests had been the first
to die, but the lord's house was not spared. Blood
soaked the altar itself. The cries of the innocent echoed
in the heavens, but Saul heard nothing but silence. The
King of Israel had become the enemy of his god.
(16:34):
Abiathar ran through the dark, his breath ragged, his robes
torn to filthy ribbons by thorn and branch. His lungs
were iron heavy and unrelenting, and with each step the
fire in his chest burned hotter. Blood slicked his heels
where sharp rocks had torn the skin. The boy stumbled,
(16:57):
but did not fall. He couldn't, not until he found David.
The sky above the forest of Herath was black as pitch,
clouds pressing low against the tree tops, suffocating the stars.
In the distance. Scattered fires flickered, small and uncertain against
the vast dark. Abiathar's heart leaped at the sight. The
(17:22):
caves of Adullam were behind him, but this, this had
to be David's new camp. He took one step forward,
and cold iron kissed his throat. Two spears crossed before him,
their tips glinting red with firelight.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
Not another step, Speak your name, and speak it.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Softly, Abiathar raised his trembling hands.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Please, I need to speak with David.
Speaker 9 (17:50):
What makes you think David's here.
Speaker 6 (17:53):
I'm no spy, David's my friend.
Speaker 10 (17:55):
I swear I'm the son of a Himelech, the priest
of na O god Sos killed them, Oh, he's killed
them all.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
The guards exchanged a look. Guilt hung between them like fog.
Slowly they lowered their spears. One of them knelt a
broad shouldered man with dark hair tied back and a
smile too warm for a night so cold. You've come
a long way, haven't you come.
Speaker 9 (18:27):
I'll bring you into camp. My name is Uriah a Hatti.
It would be my honor to carry you to our
fire and fill your belly.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Aviathar was too exhausted to argue. Uriah hefted him up
as if the boy weighed nothing, carrying him down into
the camp, where men huddled close to their fires, sharpening
blades and mending armor. They were outlaws, but they carried
themselves with the grim confidence of soldiers. Uriah set Aviathar
(18:58):
down by a copper pot that steamed with broth. He
ladled out a bowl and pressed it into the boy's hands.
Wait here, Abiathar nodded, though his hands shook so badly
that broth sloshed over the side of the bowl. He
sipped anyway, scalding his tongue. His mind drifted back to
(19:21):
the throne room, slick with blood. Back to his father's
throat yawning open. Back to Saul's eyes gleaming with madness.
The stew was bitter in his mouth. Her shadow fell
over him. Abiathar flinched. The voice was gentle, familiar. Abiathar
(19:44):
twisted around and saw David standing over him. His hair tangled,
his cloak frayed, his eyes dark with worry. The boy
dropped the bowl and leaped to his feet.
Speaker 10 (19:56):
David, he killed them, all the priests, knob all of them.
My father, Ah, I saw him far, I saw the
sword cut his through.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
His voice broke, swallowed by sobs. David caught him, arms
wrapping around the boy like a shield.
Speaker 10 (20:22):
I'm so sorry, God help me, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Aviathar's tears soaked into David's cloak. The smell of smoke
and damp wool filled the boy's nostrils, mingling with blood
and broth and grief. David's hands shook as they held
him the weight of his own guilt pressed down on
him like Saul's spear. Missus, I'm too rag treading woods.
Speaker 6 (20:57):
My sins put him in the path of the king madness.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
He knelt his face level with the boys and looked
him in the eye.
Speaker 11 (21:07):
But hear me now, abyetha son of Ahimelech. From this
moment forward, you are mine.
Speaker 6 (21:16):
You live under my protection.
Speaker 11 (21:19):
Eat from my fire, asleep beneath my roof, such as
it is. And if any man can sin, lowliest wretch
lays a hand on you, I swear by the Lord
who made me, I will kill him myself.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
The boy fell into David's arms again, trembling with grief
and relief alike. Overhead, the clouds thickened heavy with rain,
and the skies grumbled like distant drums of war. David
lifted his face to the heavens. No stars shone through
(21:55):
the clouds. The world itself seemed to hold its breath,
But deep inside him, in a place only God could see,
her storm had begun to stir. David's heart was changing.
He had been a shepherd, her son, a servant. But
(22:16):
now now David would become a sword.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and
it has affected your life. We'd love it if you
left her of view. We read them, and me personally,
I cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully.
I leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six
IV Hashem vishmerechra Yeah Heir hashempanavele y sa hashemple.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Shalon.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the
Lord make his face shine you. May he be gracious
to you, Made the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace. Amen.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein
ad free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot
Com app today. This prey dog comproduction is only made
possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of the Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, edited by
(23:32):
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening
prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith,
(23:53):
written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special
thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robbin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows,
Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions
on the Prey dot com app, available on the Apple
App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The
(24:15):
Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review,
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