1 Kings 2:26

Translations

Modern

Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.”

Traditional

And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.

Literal

And to Abiathar the priest said the king, “Go to Anathoth, to your own fields. For you are deserving of death, and at this time I will not put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord YHWH before the face of David my father, and because you were afflicted in all that my father was afflicted.”

Latin

Abiathar quoque sacerdoti dixit rex: Vade in Anathoth ad agrum tuum: equidem vir mortis es: sed hodie te non interficiam, quia portasti arcam Domini Dei coram David patre meo, et sustinuisti laborem in omnibus in quibus laboravit pater meus.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.”

Notes

1 Kings 2:26–27

Abiathar had supported Adonijah in his attempt to make himself king (1 Kings 1:7, 25). But he was removed from his position instead of being killed because he had:

carried the ark (2 Samuel 15:24, 29, 35),
supported David, and
shared in David's hardships.

Abiathar's removal from the priesthood fulfilled God's word about Eli's family line through Ithamar (1 Samuel 2:30–35). Zadok's appointment (1 Kings 4:2) restored the high priesthood to Eleazar's line, as it was before Eli (Numbers 20:22–28; 25:11–13; 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 6:1–8, 50–53; Ezra 7:2–5) and continued during Israel's divided kingdom (2 Chronicles 31:10; Ezekiel 43:19).

1 Kings 2:26–35

Solomon believed that Adonijah's main supporters, Abiathar and Joab, were still part of Adonijah's plans, so he took action against them too.

Theme notes and profiles

Abiathar Eleazar Solomon Zadok

Events

Reign of Solomon

Related verses

Joshua 21:18
Anathoth, and Almon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.
1 Samuel 22:20–23
But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.
Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
2 Samuel 15:24–29
Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had passed out of the city.
1 Samuel 26:16
This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die, since you did not protect your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now look around. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”
Jeremiah 1:1
These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.
1 Kings 2:35
And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.
1 Samuel 23:6–9
(Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)
Luke 22:28
You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.
1 Kings 1:25
For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
1 Chronicles 15:11–12
David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.
Isaiah 10:30
Cry aloud, O Daughter of Gallim! Listen, O Laishah! O wretched Anathoth!

People

Abiathar: High priest during the reigns of David and Solomon David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Anathoth: A Levitical city in Benjamin, home of the prophet Jeremiah

Glossary

Abiathar Amasa Anathoth (Place), Anathothite Eleazar Ithra Jether Joab Kings, Books of First and Second Nob Palace Samuel, Books of First and Second Shimei Solomon (Person) Zadok

Topics

Abiathar: Helps David by Sending his Son from Jerusalem to David with Secret Information Concerning the Counsel of Ahithophel Abiathar: High Priest--Called Ahimelech: Thrust out of office by Solomon Altars: Afforded No Protection to Murderers Anathoth: City of Refuge in Benjamin: Abiathar Confined In Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Solomon, in Thrusting Abiathar out of the High Priest's office Homicide: Felonious: Solomon Levites: Owned Lands Priests: Might Purchase and Hold Other Lands in Possession Punishment: Minor offenses: Confinement Within Limits Punishments were Inflicted by Order of Kings Usurpation in Religious Affairs by King Solomon, in Thrusting Abiathar out of the Priesthood

1 Kings 2:26

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