2 Samuel 8:17

Zadok . Probably served at Gibeon. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:16 .

Ahimelech the son of Abiathar . Named after his grandfather (1 Samuel 21:1 ; 2 Samuel 22:9 , 2 Samuel 22:16 ).

Abiathar . Probably served at Jerusalem.

the scribe. The first occurrence of this title. Hebrew. sophir, a counter. Individual soribes held high positions as associates of the High Priests, and of the commanderin-chief. They were amanuenses, registrars, accountants (2 Kings 12:10 ); adjutants (2 Kings 25:19 ); secretaries of state (2 Samuel 8:17 . Isaiah 33:18 ). First occurrence as a class or caste (1 Chronicles 2:33 ); a branch of the Levites (2 Chronicles 34:13 ). When Priests, who should have been teachers of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:11 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 ), be-came absorbed in ritual, the Scribes became custodians. Ezra was an ideal priest and scribe.