1 Samuel 23:9

9 David knew that Sha'ul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Avyatar the Kohen, Bring here the efod.

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 It was told Sha'ul that David was come to Ke`ilah. Sha'ul said, God has delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that has gates and bars.

8 Sha'ul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Ke`ilah, to besiege David and his men.

9 David knew that Sha'ul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Avyatar the Kohen, Bring here the efod.

10 Then said David, O LORD, the God of Yisra'el, your servant has surely heard that Sha'ul seeks to come to Ke`ilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

11 Will the men of Ke`ilah deliver me up into his hand? will Sha'ul come down, as your servant has heard? LORD, the God of Yisra'el, I beg you, tell your servant. The LORD said, He will come down.