Abiathar, the Last Priest of Eli’s Family

Abiathar was the son of Ahimelech, the priest of Nob, and a descendant of Aaron and Eli the high priests (1 Samuel 23:6).

Biblical and Related Accounts: When David was fleeing from King Saul’s pursuit, he came to Ahimelech, the priest of Nob, and received help from him. When Saul learned of this, he had all eighty-five priests of Nob killed, and he also put to death all the men, women, children, and livestock of Nob. However, Ahimelech’s son, Abiathar, escaped. He fled to David with the ephod and told David about Saul’s massacre of the priests of Nob. David said, “I am responsible for the death of your father’s whole family. Stay with me.” So Abiathar joined David (1 Samuel 21:9; 22:9-22). Thereafter, during David’s exile, Abiathar remained with David, serving as the priest for his army. After David became king, he appointed Abiathar and Zadok to serve jointly as high priests (2 Samuel 15:35).

Abiathar was loyal to David, but when Adonijah plotted to usurp the throne that Solomon was to inherit, Abiathar supported and sided with Adonijah (1 Kings 1:7). After David’s death, Solomon succeeded him as king. When Adonijah attempted another rebellion, he was killed by Solomon. However, King Solomon, remembering that Abiathar had shared in the sufferings of his father David, spared his life but removed him from his priestly office. The priestly line of Eli’s house was thus cut off, fulfilling the word the LORD had spoken earlier (1 Kings 2:27; 1 Samuel 2:27-36).