Abiathar: The Priest

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LESSON 7

November 6 - 12

Abiathar: The Priest

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week's Study:

Exod. 28:6, 39:2–7, 1 Sam. 21:1–9, 22:6–23, 2 Sam. 15:13–29.

Memory Text:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV).

Priests played a very important role in the life and history of Israel. And not just in Israel, but in the surrounding nations, as well. In Mesopotamian culture, the king was considered a priest; thus, he combined both political and religious power. Priestly guilds represented powerful interests at the court, and there are many instances where priests were king-makers. In the Old Testament especially, the role of the priesthood was central to the life of faith of Israel. Sacred history shows the influential roles of the priests in New Testament times, as well. The priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2:9), an idea that came to prominence in the Protestant Reformation, is not entirely a New Testament concept (see Exod. 19:6). It seems always to have been God’s ideal that believers would be holy and serve others by interceding for them and by communicating the plan of salvation. This week we’ll look at Abiathar’s story, which gives us some important glimpses into the Old Testament priesthood and tells us that priesthood is not based just on pedigree or education but on personal commitment to the Lord. As in the case of Abiathar, wrong choices can disqualify a member of the priesthood.

*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 13.