²⁴ Zadok the priest was there, and with him were the Levites, carrying the sacred Covenant Box. They set it down^[a] and didn't pick it up again until all the people had left the city. The priest Abiathar was there too.^[b]

Abiathar's Banishment and Joab's Death

^26 (A)Then King Solomon said to Abiathar the priest, “Go to your country home in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not have you put to death now, for you were in charge of the Lord's Covenant Box while you were with my father David, and you shared in all his troubles.”

²⁰ But Abiathar, one of Ahimelech's sons, escaped, and went and joined David. ²¹ He told him how Saul had slaughtered the priests of the Lord. ²² David said to him, “When I saw Doeg there that day, I knew that he would be sure to tell Saul. So I am responsible^[a] for the death of all your relatives. ²³ Stay with me and don't be afraid. Saul wants to kill both you and me, but you will be safe with me.”