1 Samuel 23:9

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

And David {H1732} knew {H3045} that Saul {H7586} secretly practised {H2790} mischief {H7451} against him; and he said {H559} to Abiathar {H54} the priest {H3548}, Bring hither {H5066} the ephod {H646}.

David knew that Sha'ul was plotting something against him, so he told Avyatar the cohen, "Bring the ritual vest here."

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

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

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 23:9

This verse finds David in a precarious situation, constantly on the run from King Saul, who, consumed by jealousy and paranoia, sought to kill him. David had recently performed a great service by rescuing the city of Keilah from the Philistines. However, he soon learned through divine revelation that the ungrateful citizens of Keilah intended to betray him to Saul. Verse 9 captures David's immediate response to this fresh threat: he knew Saul's treachery was active and sought direct divine guidance to navigate the danger.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Guidance in Crisis: David's first instinct in the face of peril was not to strategize solely on his own, but to seek God's specific direction. This highlights the importance of spiritual discernment when facing difficult or dangerous circumstances.
  • Saul's Persistent Malice: The phrase "Saul secretly practised mischief against him" underscores the depth of Saul's animosity and his underhanded tactics. This relentless persecution forced David into a lifestyle of constant vigilance and dependence on God.
  • Reliance on Priestly Ministry: David's command to "Bring hither the ephod" demonstrates his reliance on Abiathar, the priest, who had fled to him after Saul's massacre of the priests at Nob (1 Samuel 22:20). The ephod, containing the Urim and Thummim, was the divinely ordained means for the high priest to consult God on behalf of His people.

Linguistic Insights

The central term in this verse is "ephod." In this context, the ephod refers specifically to the priestly garment that contained the breastplate, which held the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30). These were sacred objects used by the high priest to ascertain God's will, often in the form of a 'yes' or 'no' answer to specific questions. David's request for the ephod signifies his desire for a direct, unambiguous word from the Lord concerning his next move.

Practical Application

David's example in 1 Samuel 23:9 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  1. Seek God First: When faced with uncertainty, betrayal, or danger, our primary response should be to turn to God for wisdom and direction. Just as David consulted the ephod, believers today have the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God as our guides (Psalm 119:105).
  2. Trust in God's Revelation: David did not rely on his own cleverness or military might alone. He trusted that God would reveal the truth and guide his steps. This encourages us to have faith that God will provide clarity when we genuinely seek Him.
  3. Rely on Spiritual Resources: David utilized the spiritual resources available to him through the priesthood. Similarly, we are called to lean on the spiritual resources God has provided – prayer, Scripture, godly counsel, and the community of believers – to navigate life's challenges.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 30:7 (5 votes)

    ¶ 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 23:6 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Numbers 27:21 (3 votes)

    And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask [counsel] for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, [both] he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

  • 1 Samuel 14:18 (2 votes)

    And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 22:20 (2 votes)

    ¶ And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

  • Acts 14:6 (2 votes)

    They were ware of [it], and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

  • Jeremiah 33:3 (2 votes)

    Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.