Is there a collusion at Nob?, is asking whether or not there was a secret agreement that existed between David and Ahimelek the priest. At this point in the narrative David is fleeing from Saul due to the attempts that have been made on his life. This visit to Ahimelek made by David has two parts. First there are the words that are exchanged between David and Ahimelek and what they appear to mean but there also is another purpose or meaning to their conversation. This other meaning can only be seen through the interpretation of the words and actions of both Ahimelek and David. Based on the interactions between David and Ahimelek I venture to argue that yes there is indeed a collusion that took place during the meeting at Nob. This secret agreement that is established between David and the priest is in a fact a covert plan to deceive Doeg the Edomite who remains hidden through out David and Ahimelek’s conversations. The first instance of deception begins when David is greeted by Ahimelek, the scripture says that he “trembled”. This trembling was not likely because he feared David but more over because Doeg’s loyalties do not lie with David. It says that Doeg the Edomite was Saul’s chief shepherd, and that he clearly supports Saul’s kingship. Ahimelek’s first words to David are “why are you alone, why is no one with you?” In order to understand the deception this message is not to be taken, as it appears, the real meaning in these questions to serve as a warning to David that they were in fact not alone. David then goes on to tell the priest that he is on a secret mission for Saul and that no one is to know any of the details. David holds up his deception by saying that he will rendezvous with his men at “such and such place”. In David never offering an exact location, it eliminates any chance of Doeg or anyone else attempting to verify his story. The question of food to the priest also continues the deception by making this visit to Nob to look like a routine stop for supplies. Up until this point in the narrative, Doeg has not been revealed. Upon his mention by the deuteronomists, the previous dialog between David and Ahimelek now has new meaning to the reader. Only after this introduction of Doeg the Edomite does David request a weapon from the priest. It is most likely that David does not trust the Edomite and prefers to have a weapon in his possession. Ahimelek tells David that the sword of Goliath, whom he killed in the Valley of Elah is behind the ephod. David did not need to be reminded that of the location where he killed the philistine champion, this victory was probably repeated by Ahimelek for two reasons. The first reason is to remind Doeg of David’s bravery and loyalty on behalf of Saul. Secondly this was possible said to intimidate Doeg. David was able to take down a giant, surely he would be able to take down the Edomite. Furthermore the fact that the sword of Goliath was being kept with Ahimelek also suggests a previous conversation concerning an alliance between these two. It has been recorded that after David paraded Goliath’s head through Jerusalem, David placed his sword in his tent. This offers the notion that somewhere in time between that day and now David and Ahimelek had interacted, thus establishing some sort of an alliance. To conclude, the happenings at Nob were in fact played out to be a deception against Doeg which was accomplished because of a previous arrangement made between David and Ahimelek.