1 Samuel 22:20

20 But one son of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, escaped, of which son the name was Abiathar; and he fled to David,

1 Samuel 22:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 22:20

And one of the sons of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named
Abiathar, escaped
Who very probably was left by his father to take care of the sanctuary, and the holy things in it, when he and the rest of the priests were summoned to appear before Saul; who having heard of his bloody execution of them, before his messengers could get to Nob, took, the ephod, with the Urim and Thummim, and made his escape, as appears from ( 1 Samuel 23:6-9 ) ; this man succeeded his father in the high priesthood, and continued in it until the times of Solomon: and fled after David;
who was now removed, or removing from the forest of Hareth to Keilah, whither Abiathar followed him, and came to him there, ( 1 Samuel 23:6 ) , and with whom only he could be safe, and therefore it was right to flee unto him.

1 Samuel 22:20 In-Context

18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and hurtle into the priests of the Lord. And Doeg of Idumea turned, and hurtled into the priests, and strangled in that day fourscore and five men, clothed with ephods of linen cloth, or linen priests? capes (and killed eighty-five men that day, each of whom could carry the ephod).

19 Forsooth he smote Nob (And then he struck Nob), the city of the priests, by the sharpness of (the) sword, men and women, little children and (those) sucking, and ox, and ass, and sheep, (all) by the sharpness of (the) sword.

20 But one son of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, escaped, of which son the name was Abiathar; and he fled to David,

21 and (he) told him that Saul had slain the priests of the Lord.

22 And David said to Abiathar, Soothly I knew in that day, that when Doeg of Idumea was there, he would tell without doubt to Saul; I am guilty of all the lives that be slain of thy father('s) house. (And David said to Abiathar, Truly I knew on that day, when Doeg the Idumean was there, that without a doubt he would tell Saul; yea, I am guilty for all the lives that be lost in thy father's family.)