King Saul determined to kill David, and when Saul discovered that a priest had helped David, Saul called the priest and all his family to him (1 Samuel 22:11). When the priests arrived, Saul wanted an explanation,

And Saul said, “Hear now, son of Ahitub!” He answered, “Here I am, my lord.” Then Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day?” (1 Samuel 22:12–13).

Saul was misinformed by a spy, but once the idea had been planted in the king’s mind, he would not turn from it. Now read the beautiful response of the priest,

So Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, who goes at your bidding, and is honorable in your house? Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king impute anything to his servant, or to any in the house of my father. For your servant knew nothing of all this, little or much” (1 Samuel 22:14–15).

The priest defended David as a good man, and that no such conspiracy was known to the priest.

However, notice that the priest sounds offended that he had only recently begun to pray for David, implying that the priest had been praying for the king’s son-in-law for a long time.

David fought the battles of the Lord and needed all the help he could get. Likewise, those fighting spiritual battles of the Lord today, need your endless prayers!