Abiathar

( Hebrew ebhyathar , Father of plenty, or, the great one is father).

Descendant of Achimelech, Achitob, Phinees, Heli, Ithamar, Aaron, a high priest who escaped from the slaughter at Nob, went to David in his banishment ( 1 Samuel 22:20-23 ; 23:6 ) and assisted him with his advice ( 1 Samuel 23:9-14 ; 30:7 ). Together with the high priest Sadoc, he assisted at the transportation of the ark to Jerusalem ( 1 Chronicles 15:11, 12 ), and tried to follow David in his flight ( 2 Samuel 15:24 ), but instead aided him by counsel ( 2 Samuel 15:29-36 ; 17:15 sq. ; 19:11 ; 1 Chronicles 27:34 ). He favoured Adonias ( 1 Kings 1:7, 19, 25, 42 ), and was banished by Solomon to Anathoth ( 1 Kings 2:22-27 ), thus completing the ruin of the house of Ithamar ( 1 Samuel 2:30-36 ; 3:10-14 ). As to 2 Samuel 8:17 , see Commentaries.