In the book of Matthew, Jesus mentions that David and his companions ate the bread meant only for the priests "in the days of Abiathar the high priest." Yet Ahimelech was high priest at that time. His father, Abiathar, wasn't. I think that maybe, since Abiathar escaped the massacre of the priests at Nob, Jesus mentioned him as a "successor," knowing that his term as high priest came immediately after the meeting of David and Ahimelech. What do you think? -- Rahman D. Woods (Detroit)

I think that is a good guess. Well put: I cannot improve on it! Abiathar was proleptically high priest. Moreover, according to 1 Samuel 22:20, Abiathar was present at the time of the massacre.

This article is copyrighted and is for private use and study only. © 2004. Reprints or public distribution is prohibited without the express consent of Douglas Jacoby