1 Samuel 23:9

9 But David understood that Saul devised evil against him, and he said to Abiathar, the priest, Bring here the ephod.

1 Samuel 23:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 23:9

And. David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against
him
That is, plotted and contrived it, formed schemes in order to do him mischief, giving out one thing, and designing another; so he pretended war against the Philistines, but his intention was to come against Keilah, and take David there:

and he said to Abiathar the priest, bring hither the ephod;
not for David to put on, but for the priest himself, that being clothed with it, and the Urim and Thummim in it, he might inquire for him of the Lord.

1 Samuel 23:9 In-Context

7 And it was told Saul how David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, God has delivered him into my hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that has gates and bars.
8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
9 But David understood that Saul devised evil against him, and he said to Abiathar, the priest, Bring here the ephod.
10 Then David said, O LORD God of Israel, thy slave has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? Will Saul come down as thy slave has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy slave. And the LORD said, He will come down.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010