Abiathar was a High Priest of Israel during the 11th century BC.
Biography[]
Abiathar was the son of High Priest Ahimelech, and he was one of the few rabbis to escape King Saul's massacre of the clergy at Nob. He defected to the rebel David at the Cave of Adullam and became the priest of his party, remaining loyal to him during Absalom's rebellion in 1025-1025 BC and serving as his counselor. Both Abiathar and Zadok served as high priests under King Solomon, but Abiathar supported Adonijah's pretension to the throne. Solomon banished Abiathar to Anathoth after suppressing Adonijah in 1014 BC, and the priesthood passed to Eleazar and the descendants of Ithamar.