Abiathar

‎אֶבְיָתָר (a-vi-ya/thar)

High priest in the service of King David.

The first time we hear of Abiathar he had escaped from the town of Nob which Saul, in his fury that the priests there had earlier helped David with provisions, had put to the sword (1 Sam 22:20). His father, Ahimelech, was among those slain. He found his way to David's camp in the wilderness of Judah and enter the latter's service, enquiring of the Lord for him. He continued to serve David the entire duration of the king's reign. During David's final days, Adonijah had proclaimed himself king. For reasons not explained, Abiathar joined Adonijah in his claim to the throne. When Solomon was appointed king by David instead, Solomon "removed Abiathar from the priesthood of the Lord, fulfilling the word the Lord had spoken at Shiloh about the house of Eli" (1 Ki 2:24). In his place, Solomon appointed Zadok (v35).

Abiathar is mentioned in the NT when Jesus, criticised by the Pharisees for plucking ears of corn on a Sabbath, referred to David entering the house of God and eating the sacred bread "in the days of Abiathar" (Mk 2:26). This referred, of course, to the incident that led to the slaughter of the town by Saul mentioned above.

Read the entry in:

Eaton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia