1 Samuel 22:18The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who wore a linen ephod.
The setting
Nob, Israel, ~1020 BC. Doeg the Edomite, a foreigner and Saul's chief herdsman, becomes executioner when Hebrew soldiers refuse. He slaughters 85 priests in their sacred garments. Modern Nob is likely near Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: horror and disgust at recording such senseless brutality
The original word
naka (נָכָה) — to strike down, smite; suggests brutal, violent killing
Why it matters
Doeg was an Edomite, descendant of Esau, making this fratricide between Jacob's and Esau's descendants
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Samuel 22:18
The linen ephod was the sacred garment — these men died while dressed for worship
Common misconceptionSome think this shows God's judgment on corrupt priests. But these were innocent men helping a fugitive — they died for showing kindness to David, God's anointed.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Samuel 22:18
Bible Genome reading
1 Samuel 22:18 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Samuel 22:18 comes from the book of 1 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Saul. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 5% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include massacre, evil. Notable phrases: Doeg the Edomite turned, and he attacked the priests.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 1 Samuel 22:18 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "grieving"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.