1 Samuel 22:20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:20-23

Here is, 1. The escape of Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, out of the desolations of the priests? city. Probably when his father went to appear, upon Saul's summons, he was left at home to attend the altar, by which means he escaped the first execution, and, before Doeg and his bloodhounds came to Nob, he had intelligence of the danger, and had time to shift for his own safety. And whither should he go but to David? 1 Sam. 22:20. Let those that suffer for the Son of David commit the keeping of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:20

And one of the sons of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped ,.... Who very probably was left by his father to take care of the sanctuary, and the holy things in it, when he and the rest of the priests were summoned to appear before Saul; who having heard of his bloody execution of them, before his messengers could get to Nob, took, the ephod, with the Urim and Thummim, and made his escape, as appears from 1 Samuel 23:6 ; this man succeeded his father in the high... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 22:20

Abiathar , escaped - This man carried with him his sacerdotal garments, as we find from 1 Samuel 23:6 , 1 Samuel 23:9 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:17-23

The tragedy at Nob. The facts are— 1 . Saul commands his guards to slay the priests of Nob, but they refuse. 2 . Thereupon he commands Doeg to effect their death, who slays eighty-five priests, and procures the destruction of the entire city. 3 . Abiathar, escaping to David, makes known to him what has happened. 4 . David perceives that his presence at Nob was the occasion of this sad calamity, and admits that he feared the course Doeg would take. 5 . He encourages... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:18-23

Massacre and safeguard. The tragic interest of this passage groups itself about four men: I. SAUL AND HIS MAD TYRANNY . How much allowance may be made for actual insanity in the king God only knows. But it must not be forgotten that the disorder of his mind was largely due to his own indulgence of fierce and arrogant passions, and his wilful refusal to obey the commands of the Lord and the guidance of his prophet. He had now become quite furious in his jealousy of David and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:20-23

Abiathar escaped. Probably he was left in charge of the sanctuary when Ahimelech and the rest were summoned into the king's presence, and on news being brought of Saul's violence, at once made his escape, Naturally, as representing a family who, though originally Saul's friends, had suffered so much for David, he was kindly received, and a friendship commenced which lasted all David's life; but, taking at last Adonijah's side, he was deprived by Solomon of the high priesthood, and sent into... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 22:20

Abiathar - He may have remained at Nob to take care of the sanctuary when the other priests went to Saul, and so escaped. He continued David’s faithful friend throughout his reign 1Sa 23:9; 1 Samuel 30:7; 2 Samuel 15:24, 2Sa 15:29, 2 Samuel 15:35, but gave offence by taking Adonijah’s part against Solomon 1Ki 1:7, 1 Kings 1:19, 1 Kings 1:42, and in consequence was deprived of the high priesthood 1 Kings 2:26-27. In Mark 2:26, he is spoken of as the High Priest who gave the showbread to David.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 22:20

1 Samuel 22:20. Abiathar escaped and fled after David He, by his father’s death, was now high-priest, and is the person referred to Mark 2:26, where we find him described by an office which he did not bear till after the event alluded to, Ahimelech, as we have seen, being high-priest when David took the show-bread. In what has been just related we have a remarkable instance of God’s turning the worst devices of the wicked to the purposes of his providence; for in all this was fulfilled the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:1-23

A fighting unit (22:1-23)David found a hiding place in the barren regions of Adullam. Here he was joined by his family, who had fled to escape the hate and revenge of Saul (22:1; see Psalms 57:0; Psalms 63:0; Psalms 142:0). Knowing this hard life would be too much for his aged parents, he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and returned to his home territory of Judah. By now a crowd of four hundred, mainly outlaws and discontented people, had joined David, and he soon built these into a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 22:20

Abiathar, escaped. Saul thus caused the transfer of the High Priest, with the Urim and Thummim, to David. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:20-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 22:20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:17-23

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:18-23

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:20-23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 22:20

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 22:20

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 22:1-23

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 22:20

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