In brief
Abiathar is a son of Ahimelech, priest of Nob. When Saul has the priests of the Lord massacred, he is the only one to escape and takes refuge with David, who promises him protection (1 Samuel 22:20-23). He becomes David’s priest. During Absalom’s revolt, he takes the ark back to Jerusalem with Zadok and serves as an informant for the fleeing king (2 Samuel 15:24-36). But at the end of the reign, he supports Adonijah against Solomon. The new king spares him because of his years of faithfulness, but strips him of his office (1 Kings 2:26-27).
What does the name Abiathar mean?
Abiathar is a Hebrew name generally understood to mean the father is abundance or father of abundance. The Bible does not explain it. It presents him as a son of Ahimelech, son of Ahitub (1 Samuel 22:20), which ties him to the house of Eli, high priest at Shiloh.
The story of Abiathar
Sole survivor of the massacre of Nob
1 Samuel 22:18-21At Saul’s command, Doeg the Edomite strikes down the priests of Nob: eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod, then the whole town. One son of Ahimelech, son of Ahitub, escaped. His name was Abiathar. He flees to David and tells him that Saul has killed the priests of the Lord.
Stay with me, do not fear
1 Samuel 22:22-23David acknowledges his share of responsibility: he is the cause of the death of everyone in the house of Abiathar’s father. Then he tells Abiathar to stay with him and not to fear, for the one who seeks his life seeks Abiathar’s, and with David he will be safe. The surviving priest and the persecuted king bind their fates together.
The ark taken back to Jerusalem
2 Samuel 15:24-29When David flees from Absalom, Zadok and the Levites carry the ark, and Abiathar goes up with them. David refuses to take the ark along: if he finds favor with the Lord, he will see it again. He sends the two priests back to the city with their sons. So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.
Informant for the fleeing king
2 Samuel 15:35-36David commissions Hushai to frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel and to report everything he hears to the priests Zadok and Abiathar. Their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, will carry the news to the king. Abiathar therefore stays in Jerusalem, at the heart of the conspiracy, in the service of David.
Adonijah’s party
1 Kings 1:7-8At the end of the reign, Adonijah wants to make himself king. He confers with Joab and with the priest Abiathar, and they follow him and help him. Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan and David’s mighty men do not side with him. After so many years of faithfulness, Abiathar chooses the wrong side at the moment of succession.
Spared but removed
1 Kings 2:26-27Solomon tells Abiathar to go to his estate at Anathoth, for he deserves death; but Solomon will not put him to death today, because he carried the ark of the Lord God before David his father. He strips him of his office, thus fulfilling the word spoken about the house of Eli at Shiloh (1 Samuel 2:31-35).
What Abiathar teaches us
- God preserves a survivor to carry on his work; even in tragedy, he keeps a light burning.
- David confesses his responsibility before Abiathar; acknowledging your wrongs toward those who suffer because of you is the beginning of justice.
- Abiathar was faithful in hardship and then stumbled in prosperity; take care to finish your course as well as you began it.
- Solomon spares Abiathar because of his past; God does not forget years of service, even when he must correct.
Key verses
David promises Abiathar protection and a share in the danger. The future king takes under his wing the priest who lost everything because of him.
Zadok and Abiathar take the ark back to Jerusalem at David’s command. The fleeing king prefers to rely on God’s grace rather than appropriate the sign of his presence.
Solomon strips Abiathar of his office, fulfilling the word of the Lord about the house of Eli. His removal is part of a judgment announced long before him.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Abiathar
Frequently asked questions
Who was Abiathar in the Bible?
Abiathar is a priest, son of Ahimelech, sole survivor of the massacre of the priests of Nob ordered by Saul (1 Samuel 22:20). He joins David, serves him as priest and remains loyal to him during Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15). At the end of the reign, he supports Adonijah; Solomon spares him but removes him and sends him to Anathoth (1 Kings 2:26-27).
Why did Solomon remove Abiathar?
Abiathar had taken the side of Adonijah, who wanted to reign in Solomon’s place (1 Kings 1:7). Solomon tells him he deserves death but spares him because he carried the ark before David and shared his sufferings. The text adds that this removal fulfills the word spoken about the house of Eli at Shiloh (1 Kings 2:26-27).
Where can I find the story of Abiathar in the Bible?
Abiathar appears in 1 Samuel 22:20-23 (his flight to David), 1 Samuel 23 and 30 (he inquires of the Lord with the ephod), 2 Samuel 15:24-36 and 19:11 (Absalom’s revolt), then 1 Kings 1:7 and 2:22-27 (Adonijah’s party and his removal). Jesus also mentions him in Mark 2:26.