1 Samuel 26:2
Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
Saul's descent to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to hunt David came after he had slain the priests of the Lord. Abiathar the son of Ahimelech escaped that slaughter and fled to David. David kept him with himself in safeguard, because he who sought David's life sought Abiathar's life also.