1 Samuel 23 9

1 Samuel 23:9 kjv

And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

1 Samuel 23:9 nkjv

When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod here."

1 Samuel 23:9 niv

When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod."

1 Samuel 23:9 esv

David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod here."

1 Samuel 23:9 nlt

But David learned of Saul's plan and told Abiathar the priest to bring the ephod and ask the LORD what he should do.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 9 Meaning

1 Samuel 23:9 reveals David's astute awareness of King Saul's deceitful and malicious intent to entrap him in Keilah. Faced with imminent danger from Saul's secret plots, David's immediate response was not panic or self-reliance but to actively seek divine guidance and revelation through Abiathar the priest and the ephod, signifying his absolute dependence on God in times of crisis.

1 Samuel 23 9 Context

Chapter 23 opens with David receiving news that the Philistines are attacking Keilah, a Judean town. Despite being a fugitive, David, true to his character, inquires of the Lord if he should go and save Keilah (1 Sam 23:2). God confirms he should go, and David successfully rescues the city (1 Sam 23:3-5). While David is still in Keilah, Abiathar the priest, having fled Saul's massacre of the priests at Nob, comes to David bringing the ephod (1 Sam 23:6). Meanwhile, Saul learns David is in Keilah, a walled city, and views it as an opportune moment to trap him (1 Sam 23:7-8). It is in this immediate, highly dangerous context that David becomes aware of Saul's specific, treacherous plot. David's past experiences with Saul's envy and murderous intent (e.g., throwing spears at him, attempting to marry him into a deadly situation) make him particularly alert to the danger.

1 Samuel 23 9 Word analysis

• And David knew (yada', Hebrew: יָדַע): Implies a deep, experiential, and certain knowledge, not merely intellectual apprehension. David possessed clear discernment, likely divinely imparted or based on well-founded intelligence, about Saul's intentions. This knowing is foundational to his action.
• that Saul (שָׁאוּל): The current king of Israel, consumed by jealousy and an evil spirit (1 Sam 16:14), now openly and relentlessly seeking to kill God's anointed successor, David. His name highlights the ongoing conflict between God's will and human obstinacy.
• secretly plotted (khashav, Hebrew: חָשַׁב): This verb means to think, devise, plan, or reckon. Here it implies intentional, malicious, and cunning thought put into action. The word itself can denote weaving or planning skillfully, indicating Saul's strategic effort to ensnare David. The "secretly" aspect, while not explicit in the Hebrew verb khashav itself, is strongly implied by the context of a "plot" and how David came to "know" it.
• evil (ra'ah, Hebrew: רָעָה): Encompasses harm, injury, wickedness, malice, or misfortune. Here, it signifies the malevolent intention and destructive outcome of Saul's plot—to capture and kill David. It underscores the morally reprehensible nature of Saul's actions.
• against him; (עָלָיו, 'alav): "Against him" emphasizes David as the specific target of Saul's malevolence.
• and he said to Abiathar the priest, (וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל־אֶבְיָתָר הַכֹּהֵן): David's immediate action. Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, was the sole survivor of Saul's massacre of priests at Nob (1 Sam 22:20-23). He had fled to David bringing the ephod, demonstrating God's providence in providing the means of divine consultation right when it was needed.
• Bring here (higgisha, Hebrew: הַגִּישָׁה): An imperative, meaning "bring near" or "present." It conveys urgency and decisiveness. David commanded an immediate action to access divine guidance.
• the ephod. (ha'ephod, Hebrew: הָאֵפֹד): A sacred priestly vestment worn by the high priest, specifically associated with the Urim and Thummim, two objects used for divine lot-casting or seeking yes/no answers directly from God (Exo 28:30; Num 27:21). The ephod here represents the channel for divine communication and decision-making for ancient Israel. Its presence with Abiathar allowed David direct access to God's will in critical situations, serving as a spiritual counter-intelligence mechanism against Saul's plots.

1 Samuel 23 9 Bonus section

The presence of Abiathar and the ephod with David is a testament to God's proactive provision for His anointed leader. Even when Saul slaughtered the priests, God preserved the means of communication through Abiathar and the ephod. This ensures that David always had access to legitimate divine counsel, solidifying his role as a leader who consistently walks in God's will, unlike Saul who progressively lost access to such divine communication due to disobedience. This interaction also highlights the shift of legitimate religious authority from Saul's compromised court to David's band of faithful followers, reinforcing God's choice of David as the true leader of Israel.

1 Samuel 23 9 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:9 vividly portrays David's exceptional spiritual discernment and unwavering dependence on God during a moment of extreme peril. Upon learning of Saul's intricate, malicious scheme to ambush him in Keilah, David does not panic, form his own counter-plans, or consult human advisors. His immediate, decisive action is to seek God's specific counsel through the prescribed means—the ephod. This reflects David's profound trust that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and protection. The episode highlights God's faithfulness in revealing danger to His servant and His provision of a means for obtaining divine guidance. David's prompt request for the ephod stands in stark contrast to Saul's later desperate, futile attempts to inquire of the Lord, whom he had forsaken (1 Sam 28:6). This demonstrates a foundational principle: reliance on God's revelation is paramount in navigating life's conspiracies and challenges, rather than trusting solely in human wit or resources. This pattern of seeking God's will before taking action would characterize much of David's righteous leadership.