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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Zadok and Abiathar as Priests</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/z/zadok_and_abiathar_as_priests.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/2_samuel/15-24.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/z/zadok.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Zadok and Abiathar as Priests</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/z/zadok_and_abiathar.htm" title="Zadok and Abiathar">◄</a> Zadok and Abiathar as Priests <a href="/topical/z/zadok_and_ahimelech.htm" title="Zadok and Ahimelech">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Zadok and Abiathar are two prominent priests in the history of Israel, serving during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. Their roles and actions are significant in the narrative of the united monarchy and the establishment of the temple worship in Jerusalem.<br><br><b>Zadok</b><br><br>Zadok, a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar, is first mentioned during the reign of King David. He is recognized for his loyalty and faithfulness to David during times of political turmoil. Zadok, along with Abiathar, carried the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem when David fled from Absalom's rebellion (<a href="/2_samuel/15-24.htm">2 Samuel 15:24-29</a>). David instructed them to return the Ark to the city, indicating his trust in their priestly duties and their role as informants during the rebellion.<br><br>Zadok's loyalty to David is further demonstrated during the succession crisis following David's reign. When Adonijah, another son of David, attempted to usurp the throne, Zadok remained faithful to David and supported Solomon as the rightful heir (<a href="/1_kings/1-8.htm">1 Kings 1:8</a>). Zadok's allegiance was rewarded when Solomon appointed him as the sole high priest, a position he held with distinction (<a href="/1_kings/2-35.htm">1 Kings 2:35</a>).<br><br>Zadok's priestly lineage continued to hold significant influence in Israel's religious life. His descendants, known as the "sons of Zadok," are mentioned in the prophetic visions of Ezekiel as the priests who remained faithful to God and were thus chosen to minister in the future temple (<a href="/ezekiel/44-15.htm">Ezekiel 44:15</a>).<br><br><b>Abiathar</b><br><br>Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, was the sole survivor of the massacre of the priests at Nob by King Saul (<a href="/1_samuel/22-20.htm">1 Samuel 22:20-23</a>). He fled to David and became one of his trusted priests. Abiathar served alongside Zadok during David's reign and played a crucial role in the religious and political affairs of the kingdom.<br><br>Despite his early loyalty to David, Abiathar's later actions led to his downfall. During the succession crisis, Abiathar supported Adonijah's claim to the throne instead of Solomon's (<a href="/1_kings/1-7.htm">1 Kings 1:7</a>). This decision ultimately cost him his position. After Solomon's ascension, Abiathar was removed from the priesthood and exiled to Anathoth, fulfilling the prophecy against the house of Eli (<a href="/1_kings/2-26.htm">1 Kings 2:26-27</a>).<br><br>Abiathar's removal marked a significant shift in the priestly line, as the high priesthood transitioned solely to the descendants of Zadok. This change underscored the importance of loyalty and divine favor in the priestly office.<br><br><b>Biblical References</b><br><br>· <b><a href="/2_samuel/15-24.htm">2 Samuel 15:24-29</a> :</b> "Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had passed out of the city."<br>· <b><a href="/1_kings/1-8.htm">1 Kings 1:8</a> :</b> "But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men did not join Adonijah."<br>· <b><a href="/1_kings/2-26.htm">1 Kings 2:26-27</a> :</b> "Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, 'Go back to your fields in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death at this time, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David and you shared in all my father’s hardships.' So Solomon banished Abiathar from being the LORD’s priest, fulfilling the word the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli."<br><br>Zadok and Abiathar's accounts highlight the complexities of priestly service in ancient Israel, illustrating themes of loyalty, divine judgment, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Their lives and actions had lasting impacts on the religious and political landscape of Israel.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/z/zadok.htm">Zadok</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--a_man_of_valor.htm">Zadok: A Man of Valor</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--a_priest.htm">Zadok: A Priest</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--a_returned_exile.htm">Zadok: A Returned Exile</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--a_treasurer_of_the_temple.htm">Zadok: A Treasurer of the Temple</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--father_of_jerusha.htm">Zadok: Father of Jerusha</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--performs_the_function_of_a_high_priest_after_abiathar_was_deposed_by_solomon.htm">Zadok: Performs the Function of a High Priest After Abiathar Was Deposed by Solomon</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--removes_the_ark_of_the_covenant_from_jerusalem_at_the_time_of_absalom's_usurpation.htm">Zadok: Removes the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem at the Time of Absalom's Usurpation</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--son_of_ahitub.htm">Zadok: Son of Ahitub</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--son_of_baana.htm">Zadok: Son of Baana</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--son_of_meraioth.htm">Zadok: Son of Meraioth</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--stands_aloof_from_adonijah_at_the_time_of_his_attempted_usurpation.htm">Zadok: Stands Aloof from Adonijah at the Time of his Attempted Usurpation</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--the_high_priest_during_the_time_of_david's_reign.htm">Zadok: The High Priest During the Time of David's Reign</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/z/zadok--the_high_priest_during_the_time_of_david's_reign--summoned_by_david_to_anoint_solomon_to_be_king.htm">Zadok: The High Priest During the Time of David's Reign: Summoned by David to Anoint Solomon to be King</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zadok's.htm">Zadok's (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zadok.htm">Zadok (50 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/priest.htm">Priest (500 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/high.htm">High (4559 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/z/zadok_and_abiathar.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zadok and Abiathar"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zadok and Abiathar" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/z/zadok_and_ahimelech.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zadok and Ahimelech"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zadok and Ahimelech" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>