Doeg Doec
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(fearful, timid) (1 Sam. 21:7) — called Doeg also by the Psalmist (Ps. 52:2 [51:2]) — an Edomite who was found before the Lord at Nob, probably as a proselyte and overseer of Saul’s herds. Some commentators explain Doeg’s presence in the Tabernacle by supposing that, being a proselyte, he was there performing some vow or rite of purification. He saw Ahimelech give David the holy bread and the sword of Goliath, and reported this to Saul; and when Saul, in punishment for the supposed conspiracy of Ahimelech and all the priests of Nob together with David against him, ordered his bodyguards to kill Ahimelech, his whole household, and all the priests, Doeg alone proved willing to carry out the cruel sentence — which he did, killing eighty-five priests (in the Greek translation, three hundred and five), together with their wives and children, and destroying their property. In this massacre only Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, son of Ahitub, escaped alive and fled to David (1 Sam. 22:9; Ps. 52:2 [51:2]).