ABIATHAR: THE PRIEST Lesson 7 for the 13th of November, 2010

AN ENTIRE LIFE IN A VERSE The entire life of Abiathar is written in 1 Kings, 2: 26; from his escape from Nob to the loss of his priesthood (let’s confirm it by following the numbers) “To Abiathar the priest the king [Solomon] said: 4 Go back to your fields in Anathoth. 5 You deserve to die, 1 but I will not put you to death now, 2 because you shared all my father's hardships, 3 and carried the ark of the Sovereign Lord before him"

Why did Saul want to kill Abiathar’s family? What happened? 1. “but I will not put you to death now,” The part of Abiathar’s life that is written is delimited by two death sentences. He escaped from death both times. The first time happened at his father Ahimelech’s house in Nob when Saul killed all the priests. It wasn’t his fault but he was sentenced. The second time he deserved to die because he supported Adonijah, but he was forgiven by Solomon. Why did Saul want to kill Abiathar’s family? What happened?

2. “because you shared all my father's hardships,” Abiathar escaped from Saul and looked for David. He stood with him as a fugitive. When Absalom rebelled against David, Abiathar stayed in Jerusalem by order of David and risked his son’s life to help the king.

3. “and carried the ark of the Sovereign Lord before him.” Abiathar carried out his priestly duties faithfully while he was with David. He was present when the ark was moved. He consulted God with the ephod in David’s name. He shared the priesthood responsibly with Zadok during David’s reign.

As priests, are we ready to intercede on behalf of those around us? 3. “and carried the ark of the Sovereign Lord before him.” Besides functioning in these roles, Abiathar had experienced personal trauma and, like David, was a homeless refugee –which somehow prepared him even better to serve the future king of Israel, who also was constantly on the run. He could understand the frustrations, fears, and betrayals that David and his men must have often felt in the face of continued persecution. Jesus acts like that with us. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews, 4: 15) As priests, are we ready to intercede on behalf of those around us?

“Missionaries for God are wanted, faithful men and women who will not shirk responsibility. Judicious labor will accomplish good results. There is real work to be done. The truth should be brought before people in a careful manner by those who unite meekness with wisdom. We should not hold ourselves aloof from our fellow men, but come close to them; for their souls are as precious as our own. We can carry the light into their homes, with a softened and subdued spirit plead with them to come up to the exalted privilege offered them, pray with them when it seems proper, and show them that there are higher attainments that they may reach, and then guardedly speak to them of the sacred truths for these last days” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, book 4, “Co-workers with Christ”, page 73)

4. “Go back to your fields in Anathoth.” Abiathar’s life wasn’t only problems. Abiathar could purchase properties in Anathoth –a priestly city– during David’s prosperous times. Those prosperous times also undermined his integrity.

You need meditate and pray before making a decision. 5. “You deserve to die,” Abiathar took the wrong decision just before David’s death. Abiathar knew that God had chosen Solomon as the next king of Israel, but he supported Adonijah who was the crown prince by the tradition of primogeniture. He was disqualified to serve as a priest by that mistake. Then the prophecy of Eli was fulfilled one hundred years later; the priesthood passed to the seed of Zadok. Are we inclined to follow God's will although it does not coincide with our personal opinions? You need meditate and pray before making a decision.

“Each human being is given the freedom of choice “Each human being is given the freedom of choice. It is his to decide whether he will stand under the black banner of rebellion or under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. With deep solicitude Heaven watches the conflict between good and evil. None but the obedient can enter the gates of the city of God. Upon those who choose to continue in transgression the death sentence must at last be pronounced. The earth will be purified from their misdoings, their defiance of God” E.G.W. (In heavenly places, December 20)