At a glance
- In Malayalam
- അബ്യാഥാർ
- What the name means
- “Father of abundance”
- In the readings
- 1 Sunday, 3 October 2027
- Gospel passages
- Mark 2:23–28
Name meanings and role notes are drafted with each edition and waiting for review by a priest or editor.
The life of Abiathar
A priest in David’s time, the only one of the priests of Nob to escape Saul’s massacre. He served David faithfully for many years, but was sent away by Solomon. Jesus names him when recalling how David ate the holy bread.
- Family
- Father: Ahimelech, priest of Nob Scripture1 Samuel 22:20
David, fleeing Saul, is given the holy bread at Nob by the priest Ahimelech, Abiathar’s father.
Scripture1 Samuel 21:1–6Saul has Doeg kill the priests of Nob; Abiathar alone escapes and flees to David.
Scripture1 Samuel 22:17–20David tells him, “Stay with me, don’t be afraid.”
Scripture1 Samuel 22:23He brings the ephod, and David asks the Lord through it.
Scripture1 Samuel 23:6–9With Zadok he serves as priest under David, and carries the ark during Absalom’s revolt.
Scripture2 Samuel 15:24–29He supports Adonijah, not Solomon, as king.
Scripture1 Kings 1:7Solomon sends him away to his fields at Anathoth, ending his priesthood.
Scripture1 Kings 2:26–27Jesus says David ate the bread “when Abiathar was high priest.” 1 Samuel names the priest that day as Ahimelech; readers have long explained this in different ways.
ScriptureMark 2:26
Read it in the Bible
- 1 Samuel 21:1–6 The holy bread
- 1 Samuel 22:6–23 The escape from Nob
- Mark 2:23–28 Lord of the Sabbath
Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible).
Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.
Sundays with Abiathar
Third Sunday after Holy Cross
Gospel: Mark 2:23–28
The high priest Mark names in the story of David.
