But: the transition word is important in this context, since it marks a turning point in the story and a contrast between what happened to Abiathar and the rest of Ahimelech’s sons.

As in earlier verses in this chapter, for reasons of English style Good News Translation does not repeat the son of Ahitub.

According to Mark 2.26, it was Abiathar, not Ahimelech, who was high priest when David and his men ate the sacred bread (21.1-6).

Escaped: see the comments on 19.10.

Fled: see the comments on 19.18. Abiathar pursued David, not to attack him but to join him (see 23.6).

Instead of translating fled after David, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Revised English Bible, like Good News Translation, indicate that Abiathar “joined David,” and Contemporary English Version says that “he ran to David.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .