²⁰ But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub,^(A) named Abiathar,^(B) escaped and fled to join David.^(C)

⁶ (Now Abiathar^(A) son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod^(B) down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

⁷ Then David said to Abiathar^(A) the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.^(B)” Abiathar brought it to him,

²⁶ To Abiathar^(A) the priest the king said, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth.^(B) You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now, because you carried the ark^(C) of the Sovereign Lord before my father David and shared all my father’s hardships.”^{(D) 27} So Solomon removed Abiathar from the priesthood of the Lord, fulfilling^(E) the word the Lord had spoken at Shiloh about the house of Eli.

⁹ When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar^(A) the priest, “Bring the ephod.^(B)”

¹⁹ when suddenly a mighty wind^(A) swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead,^(B) and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!^(C)”

Death of Eli

¹² That same day a Benjamite^(A) ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh with his clothes torn and dust^(B) on his head.

³³ Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants^(A) will die in the prime of life.

¹⁵ and the Sabeans^(A) attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens^(B) and burned up the sheep and the servants,^(C) and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans^(D) formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”