1 Samuel 23

1 Samuel 23:9

Ephod] The Ephod here is that of the High Priests; wherin were the Urim and Thummim, Exod. XXVIII. 30. which Urim and Thummim were not the twelve precious stones of the Breast-plate; mentioned, v. 17-21. Or the words of Vrim and Thummim, engraven in the middest of those twelve precious stones on the Breast-plate; Or things committed into the hands of the workmen to make them: But rather given by God to Moses, to put them not on, but into the Breast-plate; which haply to this end and purpose was doubled, ver. 16. so to have them hid there. And accordingly, Levit. VIII. 8. Moses is said to put in the Breast-plate the Urim and the Thummim.

Yet what things, or what kinde of things they were, appears not. Only we know the names signifie Lights, and Perfections; haply intimating Knowledge of Doctrine, and Integrity of Life and Conversation: And that by these the High Priests extraordinarily did ask Counsels of the Lord, and did receive Answers, as Oracles from him. So we see the Precept for it, Num. XXVII. 21. Joshuah shall stand before Eleazar the Priest, who shall ask Counsel for him, after the judgement of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he (i. e. Joshuah) and all the children of Israel with him.

And the Practice of it we finde, expected earnestly by Saul, 1 Sam. XXVIII. 6. though the same, it may seeme, lighty sleighted by him, 1 Sam. XIV. 18, 19. And here acted by Abiathar the High Priest, for David; David hereunto adjoyning his Request unto the Lord, for the Answer, ver. 10, 11, 12. And again, 1 Sam. XXX. 7.

And not unlike but Davids enquiring of the Lord, 2 Sam. II. 1. and chap. V. 19, 23. and XXI. 1. And possibly that, Judg. XX. 18, 23, 27, 28. was by the same meanes, upon the same ground. And if it were burnt, or lost at the ruine of the Temple, and all, by Nebuchadnezzar, yet the Tirshatha entertains an expectation of the restoring of it, Ezra II. 63.

Neh. VII. 65.

1 Samuel 23:27

a Messinger] Gods providence for the preservation of his.