This verse illustrates the tragic consequences of Saul’s rebellion against God and the path that leads to David’s ascension as Israel’s shepherd-king.
“And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 22:21)
In this verse, Abiathar—who was a son of the high priest Ahimelech—escapes from the slaughter of the priests in the city of Nob and flees to David. Earlier in 1 Samuel 22, King Saul, growing increasingly jealous and paranoid, had commanded the execution of these priests because Ahimelech gave David bread and Goliath’s sword (1 Samuel 22:10). The city of Nob likely sat close to Jerusalem, and served as a place where priests lived and officiated. This terrible event highlights Saul’s departure from trusting in the LORD and shows the stark contrast between the king’s actions and David’s reliance on God’s guidance and mercy.
Abiathar’s announcement to David—“Saul had killed the priests of the LORD”—must have struck David with grief as he recognized the horrific consequences of Saul’s spiraling jealousy. By this point in Israel’s timeline (around 1010-1000 BC), Saul’s reign was nearing its end, and David was already anointed by Samuel to be the next king (1 Samuel 16:13). It reveals the gravity of Saul’s heart: he had become willing to shed innocent blood to maintain control, violating both God’s law and the covenant relationship meant to guide Israel’s kings (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). For Abiathar, this tragedy positioned him as the lone surviving priest from Nob, ultimately aligning him with David’s cause and becoming his priest (1 Samuel 23:9).
This moment also foreshadows the priestly lineage moving toward collaboration with David, who was the rightful anointed king and an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1). In the New Testament, Jesus, like David, was opposed by religious authorities who abandoned righteousness in their lust for power (Matthew 23:13). The news of such a grievous act as killing priests testifies that when humanity strays from God’s commandments, it can commit atrocities in the name of self-preservation, underscoring our need for the redeeming reign of a righteous King (Hebrews 7:26).
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1 Samuel 22:21 meaning
“And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 22:21)
In this verse, Abiathar—who was a son of the high priest Ahimelech—escapes from the slaughter of the priests in the city of Nob and flees to David. Earlier in 1 Samuel 22, King Saul, growing increasingly jealous and paranoid, had commanded the execution of these priests because Ahimelech gave David bread and Goliath’s sword (1 Samuel 22:10). The city of Nob likely sat close to Jerusalem, and served as a place where priests lived and officiated. This terrible event highlights Saul’s departure from trusting in the LORD and shows the stark contrast between the king’s actions and David’s reliance on God’s guidance and mercy.
Abiathar’s announcement to David—“Saul had killed the priests of the LORD”—must have struck David with grief as he recognized the horrific consequences of Saul’s spiraling jealousy. By this point in Israel’s timeline (around 1010-1000 BC), Saul’s reign was nearing its end, and David was already anointed by Samuel to be the next king (1 Samuel 16:13). It reveals the gravity of Saul’s heart: he had become willing to shed innocent blood to maintain control, violating both God’s law and the covenant relationship meant to guide Israel’s kings (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). For Abiathar, this tragedy positioned him as the lone surviving priest from Nob, ultimately aligning him with David’s cause and becoming his priest (1 Samuel 23:9).
This moment also foreshadows the priestly lineage moving toward collaboration with David, who was the rightful anointed king and an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1). In the New Testament, Jesus, like David, was opposed by religious authorities who abandoned righteousness in their lust for power (Matthew 23:13). The news of such a grievous act as killing priests testifies that when humanity strays from God’s commandments, it can commit atrocities in the name of self-preservation, underscoring our need for the redeeming reign of a righteous King (Hebrews 7:26).