David trusts the LORD’s leading more than his own wisdom.
“Now David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, ‘Bring the ephod here.’” (v.9) As we enter into this scene, David—who lived approximately from 1040 BC to 970 BC—has already been on the run from King Saul, the first anointed king over Israel. David understands that Saul is actively seeking to harm him, and this knowledge prompts him to take deliberate steps to seek divine guidance through the priest Abiathar. Abiathar himself was the sole surviving priest from the massacre at Nob (1 Samuel 22:20) and had joined David. David’s request to “bring the ephod” underscores his dependence on God’s direction, since the ephod was used to discern the LORD’s will among the people of Israel in that time.
In Israel’s historical context, the ephod was part of the high priest’s sacred garments and often included the Urim and Thummim, which helped reveal God’s guidance (Exodus 28:30). By calling for the ephod, David demonstrates his deep waiting upon God’s wisdom rather than his own instincts. Instead of relying on his military might or his growing band of followers, he turns first to the LORD for counsel. David’s pattern—to consult the LORD or His appointed priests—foreshadows the way believers are called to seek divine guidance through prayer and the Scriptures, and portrays a trust that echoes into the New Testament teaching that Jesus, our High Priest, mediates on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14).
David’s request also reveals his steady faith, proving once again why God referred to him as “a man after My heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). Even while threatened by Saul—in this period likely around 1011 BC when David had not yet assumed the throne—he chooses to act righteously, refusing to take Saul’s life by force. Calling on the ephod laid a spiritual foundation for David’s leadership, marking him as a future king who would depend upon the LORD’s voice rather than human influence.
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1 Samuel 23:9 meaning
“Now David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, ‘Bring the ephod here.’” (v.9) As we enter into this scene, David—who lived approximately from 1040 BC to 970 BC—has already been on the run from King Saul, the first anointed king over Israel. David understands that Saul is actively seeking to harm him, and this knowledge prompts him to take deliberate steps to seek divine guidance through the priest Abiathar. Abiathar himself was the sole surviving priest from the massacre at Nob (1 Samuel 22:20) and had joined David. David’s request to “bring the ephod” underscores his dependence on God’s direction, since the ephod was used to discern the LORD’s will among the people of Israel in that time.
In Israel’s historical context, the ephod was part of the high priest’s sacred garments and often included the Urim and Thummim, which helped reveal God’s guidance (Exodus 28:30). By calling for the ephod, David demonstrates his deep waiting upon God’s wisdom rather than his own instincts. Instead of relying on his military might or his growing band of followers, he turns first to the LORD for counsel. David’s pattern—to consult the LORD or His appointed priests—foreshadows the way believers are called to seek divine guidance through prayer and the Scriptures, and portrays a trust that echoes into the New Testament teaching that Jesus, our High Priest, mediates on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14).
David’s request also reveals his steady faith, proving once again why God referred to him as “a man after My heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). Even while threatened by Saul—in this period likely around 1011 BC when David had not yet assumed the throne—he chooses to act righteously, refusing to take Saul’s life by force. Calling on the ephod laid a spiritual foundation for David’s leadership, marking him as a future king who would depend upon the LORD’s voice rather than human influence.