Doeg and the Destruction of Nov

Doeg, who secretly harbored great animosity towards Dovid, told King Shaul, “I saw Dovid appear before the high priest Achimelech in Nov. Achimelech supplied him with provisions and gave him Golias’s sword after he first inquired of the Urim v’Tumim regarding him.” These were slanderous words, insinuating that Achimelech and Dovid were in intimate association, conspiring together against the king. In particular, the report that the High Priest had consulted the Urim v’Tumim on behalf of Dovid could not miss its effect, for it was forbidden to consult the Urim v’Tumim for a private person; their advice was sought only for the king himself or for an emissary of the community. Shaul would conclude, Doeg knew, that Dovid was proclaiming himself king in front of the people.

Shaul accused Achimelech, saying, “Why did you support Dovid by giving him bread and a sword? You acknowledged him as the king, or else why did you inquire of the Urim v’Tumim for his sake? You are conspiring with him, attempting to demote me!”

Achimelech was most surprised at this charge and answered in all sincerity, “Is this the first time that I have inquired of the Urim v’Tumim for Dovid? I thought he was an emissary of the community for whose sake it is permitted to consult the Urim v’Tumim! Chas v’shalom that I should rebel against you! I have no idea what you refer to!”

However, Shaul was adamant. “For this threat to my throne, you all must pay with your lives,” he decreed.

Shaul commanded his generals Avner and Amasa to slay all the kohanim of Nov for being in conspiracy with Dovid, thereby committing treason which warranted the death penalty.

However, these two generals refused, knowing that according to Torah law, one must disobey the king should he demand a service that involves the transgression of the Torah. Certainly, slaying the kohanim was sinful because Shaul’s verdict was based on slander, and he had not investigated the matter objectively. Shaul then turned to Doeg, telling him, “You claim that the kohanim deserve capital punishment. It is the witnesses’ duty to assist in the execution of the accused!”

Doeg agreed and singlehandedly slew 85 kohanim and had the entire city of Nov – men, women, and children – exterminated, thus demonstrating what would happen to anyone lending support to Dovid.

Shaul’s punishment for the annihilation of the city of Nov was his death and the death of three of his sons in battle. Doeg was punished with a premature death and lost his share in the World to Come.

According to the Gemara in Sanhedrin (104a and Rashi there), Yehonasan was punished as well for causing the death of the city of Nov, Shaul, and Doeg.