Nob

Nob was a city of priests near Jerusalem, known for a massacre ordered by King Saul and as a temporary location of the Ark of the Covenant.

Nob was a city of priests located near Jerusalem, possibly between the city and Anathoth (1Sam. 21:1; 22:9, 11, 19; Neh. 11:32; Isa. 10:32). It is most notable as the site where King Saul ordered the massacre of the priests who had assisted David when he was fleeing from Saul (1Sam. 22:11-19). Ahimelech, the priest at Nob, had provided David with the sacred bread of the Presence and the sword of Goliath (1Sam. 21:1-9). Nob was also one of the places where the Ark of the Covenant was kept for a time during its travels (2Sam. 6:1). The exact location of Nob is uncertain, but it was likely situated on a hill north of Jerusalem, possibly at Ras el-Mesharif or another nearby site that afforded a view of the city.

High place, a city of the priests, first mentioned in the history of David’s wanderings (1 Sam. 21:1). Here the tabernacle was then standing, and here Ahimelech the priest resided. From Isa. 10:28-32 it seems to have been near Jerusalem. It has been identified by some with el-Isawiyeh, one mile and a half to the north-east of Jerusalem. But according to Isa. 10:28-32 it was on the south of Geba, on the road to Jerusalem, and within sight of the city. This identification does not meet these conditions, and hence others (as Dean Stanley) think that it was the northern summit of Mount Olivet, the place where David “worshipped God” when fleeing from Absalom (2 Sam. 15:32), or more probably (Conder) that it was the same as Mizpeh (q.v.), Judg. 20:1; Josh. 18:26; 1 Sam. 7:16, at Nebi Samwil, about 5 miles north-west of Jerusalem.

After being supplied with the sacred loaves of showbread, and girding on the sword of Goliath, which was brought forth from behind the ephod, David fled from Nob and sought refuge at the court of Achish, the king of Gath, where he was cast into prison. (Comp. titles of Ps. 34 and 56.)