1 Samuel 23:9

9 When David learned that Saul was planning to harm him, he told the priest Abiathar, "Bring 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 When Saul was told that David went to Keilah, Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hands. He has trapped himself by going into a city which has [a gate with] a double door [held shut by] a bar."

8 So Saul called together all the troops to go to war and blockade Keilah, where David and his men were.

9 When David learned that Saul was planning to harm him, he told the priest Abiathar, "Bring the ephod."

10 Then David said, "LORD God of Israel, I have actually heard that Saul is going to come to Keilah and destroy the city on account of me.

11 Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come here as I have heard? LORD God of Israel, please tell me." "He will come," the LORD answered.