1 Samuel 23:9
And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֣דַע
knew
H3045
וַיֵּ֣דַע
knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַֽחֲרִ֣ישׁ
secretly practised
H2790
מַֽחֲרִ֣ישׁ
secretly practised
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
6 of 13
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
against him and he said
H559
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
against him and he said
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
8 of 13
to say (used with great latitude)
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
11 of 13
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Cross References
1 Samuel 30:7And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.1 Samuel 23:6And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Historical Context
David maintained intelligence sources that kept him informed of Saul's movements. The formal request for the ephod indicates the seriousness of divine consultation—this was not casual prayer but structured inquiry through authorized priestly means.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance gathering human intelligence with seeking divine wisdom?
- What does David's immediate turn to the ephod teach about priorities in crisis?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
David's intelligence network informed him of Saul's plans. The Hebrew 'macharish' (secretly devising) suggests covert planning that David nonetheless discovered. His immediate response—requesting the ephod—demonstrates reliance on divine guidance rather than human strategy alone. The command 'bring hither the ephod' initiates formal inquiry. David's pattern emerges clearly: receive information, seek God's direction, then act. This sequence—intelligence, prayer, action—models wise leadership that values both human awareness and divine wisdom. The ephod had become David's access point to God, replacing the prophetic guidance Samuel previously provided.