1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 22:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

But one of the sons of Achimelech, the son of Achitob, whose name was Abiathar, escaped, and fled to David,
Douay-Rheims

וַיִּמָּלֵ֣ט בֵּן־אֶחָ֗ד לַאֲחִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ בֶּן־אֲחִט֔וּב וּשְׁמ֖וֹ אֶבְיָתָ֑ר וַיִּבְרַ֖ח אַחֲרֵ֥י דָוִֽד׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

Due to the kindness extended to David, Saul pursued the entire family of Abimelech, with the exception of Abiathar, who was serving as the high priest at that time. This event foreshadows the truth that no one can bring harm to the one true High Priest, Christ (cf. Heb. 5:10).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

1 Sam 23:6Now at that time, when Abiathar, the son of Achimelech, fled to David, to Ceila, he came down, having an ephod with him.
1 Sam 30:7And he said to Abiathar, the priest, the son of Achimelech: Bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought the ephod to David.
1 Sam 2:33However, I will not altogether take away a man of thee from my altar: but that thy eyes may faint, and thy soul be spent: and a great part of thy house shall die, when they come to man's estate.
1 Sam 23:9Now when David understood that Saul secretly prepared evil against him, he said to Abiathar, the priest: Bring hither the ephod.
Job 1:19A violent wind came on a sudden from the side of the desert, and shook the four corners of the house, and it fell upon thy children, and they are dead: and I alone have escaped to tell thee.
1 Sam 4:12And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Silo the same day, with his clothes rent, and his head strewed with dust.
Job 1:15And the Sabeans rushed in, and took all away, and slew the servants with the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell thee.
Job 1:17And while he also was yet speaking, there came another, and said: The Chaldeans made three troops, and have fallen upon the camels, and taken them; moreover, they have slain the servants with the sword: and I alone have escaped to tell thee.