But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped.
This phrase highlights the survival of Abiathar, the sole escapee from the massacre at Nob, where King Saul ordered the killing of the priests. Ahimelech, the father of Abiathar, was the high priest, and his lineage traces back to Eli, the priest at Shiloh. This escape is significant as it preserves the priestly line, which plays a crucial role in Israel's religious leadership. The event underscores the tension between Saul and David, as Saul's actions against the priests were partly due to his paranoia about David. The survival of Abiathar is a pivotal moment, ensuring the continuation of the priestly ministry during David's rise to power.

His name was Abiathar,
Abiathar's name means "father of abundance" or "my father excels," which may reflect his future role and importance in David's reign. As the only surviving priest from the house of Ahimelech, Abiathar becomes a key religious figure, serving as high priest alongside Zadok during David's kingship. His presence in David's court symbolizes the divine approval and support for David's rule, contrasting with Saul's rejection by God. Abiathar's life and service are intertwined with the narrative of David, providing spiritual guidance and support during critical moments in David's life.

and he fled to David.
Abiathar's flight to David signifies a shift in allegiance from Saul to David, aligning the priestly authority with the anointed future king of Israel. This move is not only a practical decision for survival but also a theological statement, as David is seen as God's chosen leader. Abiathar's presence with David provides legitimacy and divine endorsement to David's claim to the throne. This alliance foreshadows the establishment of Jerusalem as the religious and political center of Israel under David's rule. Abiathar's role in David's court also prefigures the priestly support for Jesus Christ, the ultimate anointed King, who fulfills the Davidic covenant.

1. Abiathar
The son of Ahimelech, a priest who served at Nob. Abiathar is the sole survivor of a massacre ordered by King Saul, and he escapes to join David, becoming a significant figure in David's life and reign.

2. Ahimelech
The father of Abiathar and a priest at Nob. He is executed by Saul for assisting David, highlighting the tension between Saul and David.

3. David
The future king of Israel, who is at this time fleeing from Saul. David becomes a protector and ally to Abiathar, symbolizing God's provision and protection.

4. Nob
A city of priests where Ahimelech served. It becomes a site of tragedy when Saul orders the killing of its inhabitants, demonstrating the extent of Saul's paranoia and disobedience to God.

5. Saul
The first king of Israel, whose jealousy and fear of David lead him to commit grievous acts, including the massacre at Nob.God's Sovereignty and Protection
Despite the tragic events, Abiathar's escape to David shows God's hand in preserving a remnant for His purposes. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty even in dire circumstances.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Saul's actions are a direct result of his disobedience to God. This serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands.

The Role of the Priesthood
Abiathar's role as a priest with David highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance. It reminds believers of the need for godly leaders who seek God's will.

The Importance of Refuge and Community
Abiathar finds refuge with David, illustrating the importance of seeking and providing support within the community of faith during times of trial.(20) Abiathar.--Of those who dwelt at Nob, only one single priest, Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, seems to have escaped this general massacre. It has been suggested that when his father and the whole body of priests went to Gibeah, in accordance with the summons of King Saul, Abiathar remained behind to perform the necessary functions in the sanctuary, and when he heard of the death of his father and his brother priests, he made his escape, and eventually joined David. The exact period of his coming to the exiled band under David is uncertain; in many of the recitals in this Book no note of time is given. It is, therefore, probable that the meeting and interview with David--related in 1Samuel 22:20 and following verses--did not take place immediately after the massacre at Gibeah, nor even directly after the destruction of Nob. From the statement in 1Samuel 22:6 of 1 Samuel 23, it would appear that Abiathar only joined David at Keilah. From that time, however, Abiathar, who became after his father's death high priest, occupies an important place in the story of David's life. Throughout his reign he continued his faithful friend, and seems to have been a worthy holder of his important office. The close of his life, however, was a melancholy one. In the troubles which arose about the succession, in the last days of David's reign, he espoused the side of Adonijah, and was in consequence deposed by the successful Solomon from the high priesthood, and sent into banishment to Anathoth. (See 1Kings 2:26.)

Verses 20-23. - Abiathar escaped. Probably he was left in charge of the sanctuary when Ahimelech and the rest were summoned into the king's presence, and on news being brought of Saul's violence, at once made his escape, Naturally, as representing a family who, though originally Saul's friends, had suffered so much for David, he was kindly received, and a friendship commenced which lasted all David's life; but, taking at last Adonijah's side, he was deprived by Solomon of the high priesthood, and sent into honourable banishment at Anathoth (1 Kings 2:26). On hearing of the terrible tragedy from which Abiathar had escaped, David, with characteristic tenderness of conscience, accuses himself of being the cause of all this bloodshed. Perhaps he felt that when he saw Doeg at Nob he ought at once to have gone away, without implicating Ahimelech in his cause; but he could never have imagined that Saul would have treated innocent men so barbarously, and may have supposed that their sacred character as well as their guiltlessness would have secured them from more than temporary displeasure. David now warmly promises Abiathar safety and friendship, and possibly the inversion of the natural order, he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life (where the my and thy are transposed by the Septuagint in one of its usual improvements of the Hebrew text), is meant to express this entire oneness and close union henceforward of the two friends. As to the question when and where Abiathar joined David, see on 1 Samuel 23:6.

Parallel Commentaries ...

But one
אֶחָ֗ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of the sons
בֵּן־ (bên-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahimelech
לַאֲחִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ (la·’ă·ḥî·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 288: Ahimelech -- 'brother of a king', an Israelite name, also a Hittite name

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahitub
אֲחִט֔וּב (’ă·ḥi·ṭūḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 285: Ahitub -- 'my brother is goodness', two Israelites

escaped.
וַיִּמָּלֵ֣ט (way·yim·mā·lêṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks

His name
וּשְׁמ֖וֹ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

was Abiathar,
אֶבְיָתָ֑ר (’eḇ·yā·ṯār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 54: Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest

and he fled
וַיִּבְרַ֖ח (way·yiḇ·raḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly

to
אַחֲרֵ֥י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

David.
דָוִֽד׃ (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse


1 Samuel 22:20 NIV
1 Samuel 22:20 NLT
1 Samuel 22:20 ESV
1 Samuel 22:20 NASB
1 Samuel 22:20 KJV

1 Samuel 22:20 BibleApps.com
1 Samuel 22:20 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 22:20 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 22:20 French Bible
1 Samuel 22:20 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 22:20 One of the sons of Ahimelech (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)