Did I begin to day to consult the Lord for him? far be this from me: let not the king suspect such a thing against his servant, or any one in all my father's house: for thy servant knew nothing of this matter, either little or great.
הַיּ֧וֹם הַחִלֹּ֛תִי לשאול־לִשְׁאָל־ל֥וֹ בֵאלֹהִ֖ים חָלִ֣ילָה לִּ֑י אַל־יָשֵׂם֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ בְּעַבְדּ֤וֹ דָבָר֙ בְּכָל־בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֔י כִּ֠י לֹֽא־יָדַ֤ע עַבְדְּךָ֙ בְּכָל־זֹ֔את דָּבָ֥ר קָטֹ֖ן א֥וֹ גָדֽוֹל׃
One Church Father comments on this verse
A commendable friendship is one that values the deserving; it should take precedence over wealth, prestige, and authority. However, this friendship does not surpass the deserving individual but rather accompanies him, as noted by Cicero. This was exemplified by Ahimelech, who, adhering to the principles of hospitality, chose to sacrifice his own life rather than betray a friend.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS