Nob was just north of Jerusalem, in southern Benjamin's territory.
Ahimelech the priest was a descendant of the condemned family of Eli (1 Samuel 14:3; 22:9).
The elders of Bethlehem were afraid when Samuel suddenly came to their city to anoint David as Saul’s replacement (1 Samuel 16:4). A similar fear appears here. In both situations, a well-known person who had problems with Saul arrived without warning. Both Ahimelech and the elders of Bethlehem feared that Saul might accuse them of helping an enemy of the king. Such suspicion could lead to death. In this case, what they feared did happen (see 1 Samuel 22:9–19).