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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//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" /><title>1 Samuel 23:9 When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/23-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/09_1Sa_23_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 23:9 - Saul Pursues David" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod." /><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><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="/vmenus/1_samuel/23-9.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="/bmc/1_samuel/23-9.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="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 9</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><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/23-8.htm" title="1 Samuel 23:8">◄</a> 1 Samuel 23:9 <a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm" title="1 Samuel 23:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, &#8220Bring the ephod.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But David learned of Saul’s plan and told Abiathar the priest to bring the ephod and ask the LORD what he should do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, &#8220Bring the ephod here.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the ephod.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, &#8220Bring the ephod.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />David heard about Saul's plan to capture him, and he told Abiathar, "Let's ask God what we should do." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And David knew that Saul devised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When David learned that Saul was planning to harm him, he told the priest Abiathar, "Bring the ephod."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When David heard that Saul was planning to attack him, he said to the priest Abiathar, "Bring the ephod here." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />David knew that Saul was devising evil plans against him, and so he told Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, ?Bring the ephod.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When David realized that Saul was planning to harm him, he told Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod here."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And David knew that Saul secretly plotted mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him. He said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And David knows that Saul is devising the evil against him and says to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod near.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And David knoweth that against him Saul is devising the evil, and saith unto Abiathar the priest, 'Bring nigh the ephod.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And David knew that Saul was working evil against him; and he will say to Abiathar the priest, Bring near the ephod.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now when David understood, that Saul secretly prepared evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest: Bring hither the ephod. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when David had realized that Saul had secretly prepared evil against him, he said to Abiathar, the priest, “Bring the ephod.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When David found out that Saul was planning to harm him, he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the ephod here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the ephod here.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />land David knew that Saul was plotting mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David knew that Shaul devised evil against him, and he said to Abiathar the Priest: “Bring me the ephod”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And David knew that Saul devised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest: 'Bring hither the ephod.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And David knew that Saul spoke openly of mischief against him: and David said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/23-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=6807" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Saul Pursues David</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">When David</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: way·yê·ḏa‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">learned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/2790.htm" title="2790: ma·ḥă·rîš (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To cut in, engrave, plow, devise.">was plotting</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·rā·‘āh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/54.htm" title="54: ’eḇ·yā·ṯār (N-proper-ms) -- The great one is father, an Isr. priest. Contracted from 'ab and yathar; father of abundance; Ebjathar, an Israelite.">Abiathar</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hên (Art:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priest,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: hag·gî·šāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To draw near, approach. ">“Bring</a> <a href="/hebrew/646.htm" title="646: hā·’ê·p̄ō·wḏ (Art:: N-ms) -- Rarely oephod; probably of foreign derivation; a girdle; specifically the ephod or high-priest's shoulder- piece; also generally, an image.">the ephod.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-1.htm">1 Samuel 19:1-3</a></span><br />Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David, / so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there. / I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, so I can ask about you. And if I find out anything, I will tell you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-10.htm">1 Samuel 18:10-11</a></span><br />The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, / and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-1.htm">1 Samuel 20:1-3</a></span><br />Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? How have I sinned against your father, that he wants to take my life?” / “Far from it!” Jonathan replied. “You will not die. Indeed, my father does nothing, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This cannot be true!” / But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-17.htm">1 Samuel 22:17-19</a></span><br />Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. / So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-1.htm">1 Samuel 24:1-2</a></span><br />After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” / So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-17.htm">2 Samuel 5:17-18</a></span><br />When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-31.htm">2 Samuel 15:31-34</a></span><br />Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” / When David came to the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. / David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-8.htm">2 Kings 6:8-12</a></span><br />Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” / Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful not to pass by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” / So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/54-1.htm">Psalm 54:1-3</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might! / Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. / For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/56-1.htm">Psalm 56:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. / My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/59-1.htm">Psalm 59:1-3</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. / Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed. / See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/142-1.htm">Psalm 142:1-3</a></span><br />A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy. / I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him. / Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13-15</a></span><br />When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16-18</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. / But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-14.htm">Matthew 12:14-15</a></span><br />But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. / Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring here the ephod.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/23-6.htm">Abiathar</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-6.htm">Abi'athar</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-3.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-8.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-23.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-19.htm">Devised</a> <a href="/luke/19-47.htm">Devising</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-6.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-21.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Learned</a> <a href="/judges/15-3.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-48.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Plotted</a> <a href="/acts/25-3.htm">Plotting</a> <a href="/joshua/13-22.htm">Practiced</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-11.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-8.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-22.htm">Secretly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/30-7.htm">Abiathar</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-7.htm">Abi'athar</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-18.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-11.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-13.htm">Devised</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-8.htm">Devising</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-7.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-9.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-7.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-4.htm">Learned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-8.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-7.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-17.htm">Plotted</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm">Plotting</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Practiced</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-7.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">Secretly</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-1.htm">David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm">he escapes from Keilah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">The Ziphites discover him to Saul</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm">At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-29.htm">He dwells at En Gedi</a></span><br></div></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> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him</b><br>David, the anointed future king of Israel, is in a precarious situation as King Saul, driven by jealousy and fear, seeks to kill him. This phrase highlights the ongoing conflict between Saul and David, a central theme in 1 Samuel. Saul's pursuit of David is relentless, reflecting the spiritual decline of Saul and his disobedience to God. David's awareness of Saul's intentions demonstrates his vigilance and reliance on God for protection. This situation is reminiscent of the broader biblical theme of the righteous being pursued by the wicked, as seen in Psalms and other scriptures.<p><b>he said to Abiathar the priest</b><br>Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, is the sole survivor of Saul's massacre of the priests at Nob. His presence with David signifies the transfer of priestly support from Saul to David, symbolizing God's favor shifting towards David. Abiathar's role as a priest is crucial, as he provides spiritual guidance and access to divine counsel through the ephod. This relationship between David and Abiathar underscores the importance of seeking God's will in times of crisis.<p><b>“Bring the ephod.”</b><br>The ephod, a priestly garment, is used for seeking God's guidance, particularly through the Urim and Thummim, which are believed to be sacred lots or stones used for divination. David's request for the ephod indicates his desire to seek God's direction in response to Saul's threat. This act of seeking divine guidance contrasts with Saul's earlier disobedience and lack of reliance on God. The ephod's use here foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on seeking God's will through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. David's reliance on the ephod can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is our ultimate High Priest, providing access to God and His will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The anointed future king of Israel, currently on the run from King Saul. David is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating reliance on God for guidance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The current king of Israel, who is consumed by jealousy and fear of David, leading him to plot against David's life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/abiathar_the_priest.htm">Abiathar the Priest</a></b><br>The son of Ahimelech, who escaped the massacre at Nob and joined David. He serves as a spiritual advisor and intermediary between David and God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ephod.htm">The Ephod</a></b><br>A priestly garment used in ancient Israel to inquire of God. It symbolizes seeking divine guidance and direction.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/k/keilah.htm">Keilah</a></b><br>A city in Judah where David had just delivered the inhabitants from the Philistines, only to learn that Saul was coming to capture him there.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_divine_guidance.htm">Seeking Divine Guidance</a></b><br>David's immediate response to Saul's threat was to seek God's guidance through the ephod. In our lives, we should prioritize seeking God's will in times of uncertainty and decision-making.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_spiritual_leaders.htm">Reliance on Spiritual Leaders</a></b><br>David's interaction with Abiathar highlights the importance of having godly counsel and spiritual leaders who can help us discern God's direction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite the threat from Saul, David trusted in God's plan and protection. We are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_first_response.htm">Prayer as a First Response</a></b><br>David's instinct to inquire of the Lord teaches us to make prayer our first response, not our last resort, in times of crisis.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_deliverance.htm">God's Faithfulness in Deliverance</a></b><br>Just as God delivered David from Saul's plots, He is faithful to deliver us from our own trials when we seek Him earnestly.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Secretly practised mischief.</span>--The idea of secrecy suggested in the English translation does not appear in the Hebrew; the accurate rendering would be, "was forging, or devising." It is likely enough that Jonathan contrived to keep his friend informed of these Court plots against him.<p><span class= "bld">Bring hither the ephod.</span>--It is quite clear that a different method of enquiry was used by David on this occasion. In <a href="/context/1_samuel/23-3.htm" title="And David's men said to him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?">1Samuel 23:3-4</a> it is merely stated that he enquired of the Lord; here at Keilah his enquiry was prefaced, in <a href="/1_samuel/23-6.htm" title="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.">1Samuel 23:6</a>, by a definite statement that Abiathar the priest, <span class= "ital">with the ephod, </span>had arrived here before he asked the question of God. The history tells us he directed Abiathar the priest to "bring hither the ephod," thus pointedly connecting the enquiry in some way with the ephod. In this ephod were set twelve precious stones, one for each of the twelve tribes. The names of the tribes were engraved on these gems, the Rabbis tell us, along with some other sacred words. On important solemn occasions--it seems perfectly certain during a considerable time--that these stones were allowed by the providence of God, who worked so many marvels for His people, to be used as oracles. It has been already stated that according to a most ancient tradition the use of the sacred gems was restricted to the high priest, who could only call out the supernatural power at the bidding of the king or the head of the State for the time being (such an one as Joshua, for instance). The Divine response given by the sacred gems seems to have been the visible response to earnest, faithful prayer.<p>The common belief is that the ephod stones gave their answer to the royal and high priestly questions by some peculiar shining. But a passage (quoted at length in the <span class= "ital">Excursus </span>M on the Urim and Thummim at the end of this Book) from the Babylonian Talmud (Treatise <span class= "ital">Yoma</span>)--apparently little known--tells us that the Rabbis had two other explanations traditionally handed down from the days when the ephod and its holy gemmed breastplate was questioned on solemn occasions by the high priest.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 9-13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Saul secretly practised mischief.</span> This phrase is correctly translated "devised evil" in <a href="/proverbs/3-29.htm">Proverbs 3:29</a>; <a href="/proverbs/14-22.htm">Proverbs 14:22</a>. There is no idea of secrecy in the Hebrew verb, which literally means "to work in metals," "to forge." Saul's purpose was open enough, and when David heard of it he tells Abiathar to bring the ephod, and then offers earnest prayer to God for counsel and advice. In his prayer his two questions are put inversely to the logical order, but in accordance with their relative importance in David's mind, and no ground exists for altering the text. But when the ephod was brought forward the questions were of course put in their logical sequence. To the first question, "Will Saul come down to besiege Keilah?" the answer was, "He will." To the second, "Will the citizens of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?" the answer also was, "They will. Whereupon he and his followers, now increased to 600 men, withdrew, <span class="cmt_word">and went whithersoever they could go.</span> Literally. "they went about whither they went about," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> without any fixed plan, as chance or their necessities dictated. As David was once again at large, Saul had no longer any reason for besieging Keilah, especially as its citizens had preferred his side, as that of the more powerful, to gratitude for the safety of their lives and property. <p> CHAPTER 23:14-29 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/23-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">learned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֣דַע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Saul</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֖וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was plotting</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲרִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·rîš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2790.htm">Strong's 2790: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut in, engrave, plow, devise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָעָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against him,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abiathar</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶבְיָתָ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’eḇ·yā·ṯār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_54.htm">Strong's 54: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the priest,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֵ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Bring</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּ֖ישָׁה</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gî·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ephod.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵפֽוֹד׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ê·p̄ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_646.htm">Strong's 646: </a> </span><span class="str2">A girdle, the ephod, highpriest's shoulder-piece, an image</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/23-9.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 23:9 David knew that Saul was devising mischief (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/23-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 23:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 23:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 23:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 23:10" /></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="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>