And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

And David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

Now when David understood, that Saul secretly prepared evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest: Bring hither the ephod.

And when David knew that Saul devised mischief against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod.

And David knew that Saul secretly plotted mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

And David knoweth that against him Saul is devising the evil, and saith unto Abiathar the priest, 'Bring nigh the ephod.'

And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring here the ephod.

And it was clear to David that Saul had evil designs against him, and he said to Abiathar the priest, Come here with the ephod.

And when David had realized that Saul had secretly prepared evil against him, he said to Abiathar, the priest, "Bring the ephod."

Bring hither the ephod - It seems as if David himself, clothed with the ephod, had consulted the Lord; and 1-Samuel 23:10-12 contain the words of the consultation, and the Lord's answer. But see on 1-Samuel 23:2 (note).

And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, (d) Bring hither the ephod.
(d) To consult with the Lord by Urim and Thummim.

And. David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him,.... That is, plotted and contrived it, formed schemes in order to do him mischief, giving out one thing, and designing another; so he pretended war against the Philistines, but his intention was to come against Keilah, and take David there:
and he said to Abiathar the priest, bring hither the ephod; not for David to put on, but for the priest himself, that being clothed with it, and the Urim and Thummim in it, he might inquire for him of the Lord.

he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod--The consultation was made, and the prayer uttered, by means of the priest. The alternative conditions here described have often been referred to as illustrating the doctrine of God's foreknowledge and preordination of events.