1 Samuel 23:9

9 David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; and he said to Abi'athar the priest, "Bring the ephod here."

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 Now it was told Saul that David had come to Kei'lah. And Saul said, "God has given him into my hand; for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars."

8 And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Kei'lah, to besiege David and his men.

9 David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; and he said to Abi'athar the priest, "Bring the ephod here."

10 Then said David, "O LORD, the God of Israel, thy servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Kei'lah, to destroy the city on my account.

11 Will the men of Kei'lah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as thy servant has heard? O LORD, the God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant." And the LORD said, "He will come down."