John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah , etc.] Either when he was there, or near the place: [that] he came down with an ephod in his hand ; not with a linen ephod on his back, which the priests in common wore, but the ephod with the Urim and Thummim in his hand, which was peculiar to the high priest; and his father the high priest being dead, it belonged to him, and therefore he took care to bring it with him; though the words may be literally rendered, “the ephod came down in his hand” f461 , as it were by chance, and not with design; and so some Jewish interpreters understand it, that in his fright and flight, among his garments and other things he took hold of to carry with him, and not minding well what he took, this happened to be, being so ordered by the providence of God; though the Targum renders it, “the ephod he made to descend in his hand,” or brought it in his hand; and so Kimchi and Abarbinel observe it may be interpreted, though they seem to incline to the other sense.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - When princes persecute God's people, let them expect vexation on all sides. The way for any country to be quiet, is to let God's church be quiet in it: if Saul fight against David, the Philistines fight agains his country. David considered himself the protector of the land. Thu did the Saviour Jesus, and left us an example. Those are unlike David who sullenly decline to do good, if they are not rewarded for services.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 בברח1272 אביתר54 בן1121 אחימלך288 אל413 דוד1732 קעילה7084 אפוד646 ירד3381 בידו׃3027
