A city in the territory of Benjamin (Neh 11:31-35; Isa 10:27-32) known as the “city of the priests” (1Sam 22:19). Nob developed as a religious center following the destruction (late eleventh century BCE) of the sanctuary at Shiloh. David is said to have sought assistance from Ahimelech and the priests of Nob when he was outlawed from Saul’s court, receiving some of the holy Bread of the Presence for his soldiers and the sword of Goliath for himself (1Sam 21:1-9; Matt 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5). When King Saul learned through an informer that Ahimelech had “inquired of the Lord” for David, he ordered the death of the priest and his clergy. The king’s guard refused to carry out the order, but Doeg the Edomite complied, slaughtering eighty-five priests and putting all of the city of Nob to the sword (1Sam 22:6-23). It is evident from (Isa 10:27-32) that Nob was located not far from Jerusalem on the north and within eyesight of that city.
