1 Samuel 23 6

1 Samuel 23:6 kjv

And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

1 Samuel 23:6 nkjv

Now it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he went down with an ephod in his hand.

1 Samuel 23:6 niv

(Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

1 Samuel 23:6 esv

When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand.

1 Samuel 23:6 nlt

Now when Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, he brought the ephod with him.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 6 Meaning

1 Samuel 23:6 details the arrival of Abiathar, the only surviving priest from the massacre at Nob, to David while he was at Keilah. The central element of this verse is Abiathar bringing "an ephod in his hand," signifying the transfer of the primary means of divine consultation and legitimate priestly authority from the now spiritually bankrupt regime of King Saul to David, God's chosen future king. It marks a crucial point where divine guidance becomes explicitly accessible to David, enabling him to make informed decisions directly based on God's will.

1 Samuel 23 6 Context

1 Samuel 23:6 occurs during a desperate and crucial period in David's life. Having been anointed king by Samuel but pursued relentlessly by the jealous King Saul, David is in constant flight, taking refuge in various locations, often with his growing band of followers. Just before this verse, Saul, consumed by paranoia, has orchestrated the massacre of the priests of Nob because they unknowingly aided David (1 Sam 22:16-19). This event highlights Saul's complete disregard for God's consecrated servants and his deepening alienation from the divine. Abiathar, the only son of High Priest Ahimelech to escape the slaughter, flees to David at Keilah, a fortified Philistine city that David had temporarily occupied. This arrival marks a significant shift, as the legitimate means of seeking God's counsel officially transfers to God's chosen king.

Word Analysis

• Now it came about: This phrase, often a direct translation of the Hebrew 'wayyehi' (וַיְהִי), introduces a new, significant development in the narrative, frequently signaling an act of God or a turning point in events. It suggests divine orchestration of Abiathar's timely arrival.
• when Abiathar (אֶבְיָתָר - 'Ebyatar): Meaning "my father is excellent" or "father of abundance." Abiathar is crucial as the son of Ahimelech, the high priest whom Saul had executed. As the sole survivor, he represents the continuation of the legitimate priestly lineage connected to Eli and Aaron (though now exiled from the main tabernacle operations). His name, conveying divine favor, contrasts sharply with Saul's actions.
• the son of Ahimelech: Explicitly links Abiathar to the high priestly family, validating his spiritual authority and role as keeper of sacred instruments. His father's death by Saul's command underscores the severity of Saul's apostasy.
• fled to David at Keilah: This action emphasizes David's role as a protector and God's chosen one, to whom those devoted to the Lord's service would turn. "Fled" (נָס - nas) signifies a desperate escape. Keilah was a city in Judah, near the Philistine border, strategic yet vulnerable. David's presence here shows his movement and precarious existence.
• that he came down (וַיֵּרֶד - wayyerred): This Hebrew verb implies a geographical movement from a higher elevation to a lower one, which accurately reflects the topography as Keilah was situated lower than some of the surrounding Judean hill country or possibly from Gath where David had sought refuge prior (1 Sam 22:1). It also suggests a humble arrival under dire circumstances.
• with an ephod (אֵפוֹד - 'ephod) in his hand: The most critical phrase. The "ephod" here refers to the high priestly vestment containing the Urim and Thummim (Exod 28:6-30), which were used for direct divine inquiry to discern God's will (Num 27:21). It was not just a garment but a sacred instrument of divination. Its presence with Abiathar and its transfer to David's care signifies the active movement of God's presence, revelatory means, and priestly legitimacy from Saul's abandoned leadership to David, who represents God's true king. "In his hand" indicates Abiathar deliberately brought it, ensuring David's continued access to God's counsel.

1 Samuel 23 6 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:6 is a profoundly significant verse, marking a spiritual watershed moment in the narrative of David's rise. The arrival of Abiathar, carrying the sacred ephod, is not merely a detail about his escape but a divinely orchestrated transfer of divine access. As Saul drifts further into rebellion and madness, cut off from God's communication (1 Sam 28:6), God ensures that His chosen one, David, remains fully connected to His will. The ephod, a legitimate means of inquiry through the high priest, serves as a tangible symbol that God's presence and guidance have moved with His true anointed leader. This moment provides David with invaluable spiritual assurance and practical guidance for his perilous journey as a fugitive and future king, cementing his reliance on God rather than human strategies alone. It demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even amidst great tribulation for His servant.

Bonus Section

• The ephod, in this context, distinguishes itself from other ephods like the plain linen ephod (e.g., worn by Samuel in 1 Sam 2:18 or David in 2 Sam 6:14), as it is explicitly linked to the high priest Abiathar and its function for divine inquiry immediately after its mention (1 Sam 23:2, 4, 9). This emphasizes its role as a sacred oracle, embodying the presence of the Urim and Thummim.
• The phrase "came down" often carries both literal (geographical) and metaphorical (descent into circumstances, or simply movement from one place to another where the previous place was higher in standing or elevation) implications. In this case, both might apply to Abiathar, who, despite carrying the significant ephod, comes as a fugitive in humble circumstances.
• This verse provides an important theological point: despite the unfaithfulness and failures within the priesthood (as seen with Eli's sons and the massacre at Nob), God preserves a remnant and continues to provide means of guidance to His people through faithful instruments, even if they are in hiding.