1 Samuel 30 7

1 Samuel 30:7 kjv

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

1 Samuel 30:7 nkjv

Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, "Please bring the ephod here to me." And Abiathar brought the ephod to David.

1 Samuel 30:7 niv

Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him,

1 Samuel 30:7 esv

And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought the ephod to David.

1 Samuel 30:7 nlt

Then he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring me the ephod!" So Abiathar brought it.

1 Samuel 30 verses

1 Samuel 30 7 Meaning

1 Samuel 30:7 describes a pivotal moment when David, in deep distress and facing the possibility of being stoned by his own men, turned to the high priest Abiathar and instructed him to bring the ephod. This action signified David's immediate and desperate reliance on God for guidance and counsel during an extreme crisis. Instead of reacting rashly or consulting human wisdom, David sought to inquire of the Lord directly through the divinely ordained means.

1 Samuel 30 7 Context

1 Samuel chapter 30 opens with David and his men returning to Ziklag after being dismissed by the Philistine lords from battle. Upon their arrival, they discovered their city had been raided and burned by the Amalekites. Their wives, sons, and daughters were taken captive. This tragic event caused immense grief and desperation among David and his men, leading them to weep until they had no more strength. The distress intensified to such a degree that the men, in their bitterness and sorrow, even spoke of stoning David, blaming him for the catastrophe. Amidst this ultimate personal and leadership crisis, facing potential mutiny and the profound loss of everything, David found strength in the Lord his God. Verse 7, immediately following David's personal encouragement in the Lord (v. 6), shows his practical step of faith: seeking specific divine direction before acting, demonstrating true leadership rooted in reliance on God.

1 Samuel 30 7 Word analysis

• Then David: Highlights David's proactive spiritual leadership in a dire situation. Despite immense personal and corporate distress (vv. 4-6), he takes the lead in seeking God. His name underscores the pivotal role he plays.
• said to Abiathar: Direct communication to the high priest, the legitimate channel for divine inquiry at that time. It shows David’s understanding of and respect for the Mosaic law concerning priestly functions.
• the priest: Identifies Abiathar's specific office. The priest's role was crucial as he possessed the ephod with the Urim and Thummim, instruments through which God's will could be discerned for the community and its leaders.
• son of Ahimelech: Establishes Abiathar's lineage and rightful position as high priest. Abiathar was the only one who escaped Saul's slaughter of the priests at Nob (1 Sam 22:20-23) for aiding David, confirming his allegiance and David's reliance on him for this sacred task.
• "Bring here": An urgent command, reflecting the immediate need for divine guidance in a time-sensitive crisis.
• the ephod: (Hebrew: ’êphôḏ – אֵפוֹד) A sacred priestly garment, worn by the high priest. It was specifically connected to discerning God's will for Israel, often associated with the Urim and Thummim (though not explicitly mentioned here, they were part of the breastpiece attached to the ephod). The ephod was used for seeking divine oracle or decision, providing clear yes/no answers or specific directions. This method contrasts sharply with pagan divination practices, emphasizing direct, lawful access to God for divine truth. David, unlike Saul later, adheres to proper protocol for seeking God.
• "the ephod, please.": The "please" (implied, or reflected in the supplicatory nature of the act) further underscores the reverence and earnestness of David's request to approach God for counsel.

1 Samuel 30 7 Bonus section

• The scene highlights the proper way for an Israelite leader to seek divine guidance, contrasting with Saul's later desperate and unauthorized attempt to consult a medium (1 Sam 28), which God had forbidden (Dt 18:10-12). David consistently used the legitimate priestly system for counsel.
• The ephod, in this context, was not a magical object but a medium for a priest to present questions to God, who would then supernaturally communicate through the Urim and Thummim. It symbolized the active participation of God in the nation's affairs, particularly through its leaders.
• This act also signifies David’s recognition of Abiathar as the legitimate high priest, upholding God's ordained system even while David himself was exiled and pursued by Saul.
• While the use of the ephod with Urim and Thummim eventually faded after the monarchy stabilized and prophecy became the predominant means of revelation (e.g., via Nathan, Gad), David's use here marks an important moment in the early kingdom, showcasing direct divine communication when prophets were less consistently active.

1 Samuel 30 7 Commentary

1 Samuel 30:7 is a profound testament to David's unwavering faith and practical leadership. Faced with an unprecedented crisis – his city burned, families captured, and his own men turning against him – David did not resort to human strategizing or despair. Instead, he turned immediately and exclusively to God for guidance. His command to Abiathar to "bring the ephod" demonstrates his complete reliance on divine counsel above all else. This was the God-ordained means of inquiring of the Lord for significant decisions in Israel. The ephod, through the Urim and Thummim, would provide a clear answer or direction. This act by David provides a timeless example for leaders and individuals alike: when life presents overwhelming challenges and options seem few or dangerous, the first and most crucial step is to seek God's specific will and wisdom. It underscores that true strength in crisis comes from strengthening oneself in the Lord and then waiting for His explicit direction before moving forward, trusting His guidance completely.