Now Davidknewthat Saulwas plottingevilagainsthim; so he saidto Abiatharthe priest,"Bringthe ephodhere."
Then to Abiatharthe priestthe kingsaid,"Goto Anathothto your own field,for you deserveto die;but I will not putyou to deathat thistime,becauseyou carriedthe arkof the LordGODbeforemy fatherDavid,and becauseyou were afflictedin everythingwith whichmy fatherwas afflicted."
Callto Me and I will answeryou, and I will tellyou greatand mightythings,which you do not know.'
For the sonsof Israelwill remainfor manydayswithoutkingor prince,withoutsacrificeor [sacred] pillarand withoutephodor householdidols.
"Moreover, he shall standbeforeEleazarthe priest,who shall inquirefor him by the judgmentof the Urimbeforethe LORD.At his commandthey shall goout and at his commandthey shall comein, [both] he and the sonsof Israelwith him, even allthe congregation."
they became awareof it and fledto the citiesof Lycaonia,Lystraand Derbe,and the surrounding region;
but their plotbecame knownto Saul.They were alsowatchingthe gatesdayand nightsothat they might put him to death;
Therefore they inquiredfurtherof the LORD,"Has the mancomehereyet?"So the LORDsaid,"Behold,he is hidinghimselfby the baggage."
Then Saulsaidto Ahijah,"Bringthe arkof Godhere."For the arkof Godwas at that timewith the sonsof Israel.
But onesonof Ahimelechthe sonof Ahitub,namedAbiathar,escapedand fledafterDavid.
Then Davidsaid,"O LORDGodof Israel,Your servanthas heardfor certainthat Saulis seekingto cometo Keilahto destroythe cityon my account.
Now it cameabout, when Abiatharthe sonof Ahimelechfledto Davidat Keilah,[that] he camedown[with] an ephodin his hand.
So Saulsummonedallthe peoplefor war,to godownto Keilahto besiegeDavidand his men.
Then Davidsaidto Abiatharthe priest,the sonof Ahimelech,"Pleasebringme the ephod."So Abiatharbroughtthe ephodto David.