1 Samuel 22:15

“Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? etc.] Was this the first time of inquiring of God for him? no; I have done this many a time, when he has been going upon the king’s business, engaging in war with his enemies; he has then consulted the Lord by me, and I have inquired of the Lord for him, as I now did; and which I did as innocently, and as much for the king’s service, as ever I did any. Kimchi observes it may be read without the interrogation, “that day I began to inquire of God for him”; it was the first time I ever did, and I did not know it would have been grievous to thee, or have given thee any disturbance or uneasiness. I did not know that he fled from thee, or was not in thy…”

“Did I then begin ... - Some lay the stress upon the word “begin,” as though Ahimelech’s justification was that he had often before inquired of the Lord for David when employed on the king’s affairs. But it is much better to understand the words as Ahimelech’s solemn denial of having inquired of the Lord for David, a duty which he owed to Saul alone as king of Israel. The force of the word “begin” lies in this, that it would have been his first act of allegiance to David and defection from Saul. This he strenuously repudiates, and adds, “thy servant knew nothing of all this” conspiracy between Jonathan and David of which Saul speaks: he had acted quite innocently. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Knew nothing of all this - Of any design against thee. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 22:18”

“Did I then: He seems to intimate, that his enquiring now for David was no new thing, having often done so before, without ever being informed it was wrong in itself or displeasing to the king., the servant, Gen 20:5, Gen 20:6; Sa2 15:11; Co2 1:12; Pe1 3:16, Pe1 3:17 less or more: Heb. little or great, Sa1 25:36 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 22:16”