Abiathar in Biblical History

Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Who is Abiathar?
ABI'ATHAR
(father of abundance, i. e. liberal), the tenth high priest of the Jews, and fourth in descent from Eli. 1 Sam 22:20. He was the son of Ahimelech, and the only one who escaped when Doeg at Saul's command slew the priests at Nob in revenge for Ahimelech's service to David in inquiring of the Lord for him, and in giving him the shew-bread to eat, and Goliath's sword.1 Sam 22. Abiathar fled to David at Keilah, and told him what Saul had done. David received him, and he afterward became high priest. Thus there were two high priests in Israel at the same time -- Abiathar, in the party of David, and Zadok, in the party of Saul, 2 Sam 8:17; but, in consequence of his supporting Adonijah in his pretensions to the throne of David, Solomon, upon becoming king, thrust Abiathar out of the priesthood, 1 Kgs 2:27, and conferred the office exclusively upon Zadok. See Zadok. Thus was fulfilled the word of God to Eli, 1 Sam 2:31; for Abiathar was the last of the priests of the house of Ithamar, to which Eli belonged; and Zadok, who succeeded him, was of the family of Eleazar; and so the priesthood passed into its former channel. Abiathar, mentioned in Mark 2:26, has been supposed by some to be the same with Ahimelech. The most probable solution of the difficulty is, perhaps, that Abiathar and Ahimelech may have been hereditary names in the family, and therefore were both borne by the same person. Hence the name Abiathar, being that of David's friend, would be more commonly used than Ahimelech. This theory also accounts for the substitution of one name for another in 2 Sam 8:17; 1 Chr 18:16, and 1 Chr 24:3, 1 Chr 24:6, 1 Chr 24:31. The facts to which the Gospel alludes in the passage cited are fully stated in 1 Sam 21.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'abiathar' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
bible-history.com - Schaff's

Copyright Information
© Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Schaff's Bible Dictionary Home
Bible History Online Home

Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
Online Bible (KJV)
Naves Topical Bible
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Hitchcock's Bible Dictionary

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Popular in the New Testament

Popular in the
New Testament