Definition: And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou [art] worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 2:26. It's a really significant passage about a priest and God’s judgment. Here’s the explanation, simplified for understanding: The Basic Story: This verse comes after a period of conflict and trouble involving a priest named Abiathar. The King, Saul, is worried about Abiathar. He believes Abiathar is causing problems and possibly even dangerous things. God tells the King to send Abiathar away – to go to a place called Anathoth. What’s Happening? “And unto Abiathar the priest…” : This establishes who is being addressed. It's talking directly to Abiathar, a religious leader. “…said the king, Get thee to Anathoth…” : The King is telling Abiathar to leave. He’s giving him a specific destination – Anathoth. It sounds like a place of worship or significance. “unto thine own fields” : This is key! The King is saying Abiathar needs to go away from his own fields. It's a very clear instruction. He's asking him to leave his home and responsibilities. “…for thou [art] worthy of death” : This is the shocking part. The King isn’t just saying he thinks Abiathar is bad; he's declaring that Abiathar deserves death. It’s a powerful statement of judgment. “but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father…” : This is where it gets really important. The King isn't just saying he could kill Abiathar. He’s choosing not to kill him. This is a crucial point – God is showing mercy and choosing to protect someone, even though the King feels justified in his judgment. "...and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.” : This explains why the King isn’t sending Abiathar away. He's saying that Abiathar’s actions – perhaps involving the Ark of God – have caused problems for the whole kingdom, just like his father did. It suggests a pattern of trouble and hardship. In Simple Terms: The King is deeply troubled by Abiathar’s behavior. He sees it as causing problems for the kingdom, and he believes that Abiathar deserves to be punished. However, God intervenes – He chooses to spare Abiathar's life, not because he wants to punish him, but because he’s showing mercy and recognizing a pattern of trouble. What does this verse tell us about God? It shows that God is involved in human affairs, even when people are causing problems. God isn't just watching from afar; He's actively intervening to protect those who are righteous and to correct wrongdoings. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Discuss the significance of the Ark of the Lord? Compare this verse to another passage in the Bible?