And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
What does 1 Samuel 22:20 mean?
David greatly lamented the calamity. It is great trouble to a good man to find himself any way the cause of evil to others.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside 1 Samuel 22:20-23 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Glossary
- David Person
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Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .
- Ahimelech Person
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Brother of the king, the son of Ahitub and father of Abiathar ( 1 Sam. 22:20-23 ). He descended from Eli in the line of Ithamar. In 1 Chr. 18:16 he is called Abimelech, and is probably the same as Ahiah ( 1 Sam. 14:3 , 18).
- Ahitub Person
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Brother of goodness = good. (1. ) The son of Phinehas. On the death of his grandfather Eli he succeeded to the office of high priest, and was himself succeeded by his son Ahijah ( 1 Sam. 14:3 ; 22:9 , 11, 12, 20).
- Abiathar Person
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Father of abundance, or my father excels, the son of Ahimelech the high priest. He was the tenth high priest, and the fourth in descent from Eli.