When translates the Hebrew verb traditionally rendered “And it came to pass” (see page 19). Contemporary English Version translates this transition using the English word “Meanwhile.”
The words the son of Ahimelech may be omitted here, since this is a repetition of information previously provided in the text (see 22.20). But if it is not unnatural to do so, this detail may be repeated.
Abiathar … fled to David: the reference is to the escape mentioned in 22.20. It is not clear from the Hebrew whether (1) Abiathar had already joined David before David attacked Keilah or (2) whether he joined him for the first time at Keilah. Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation suggest the second understanding, and New Century Version clearly expresses it: “He brought it [the holy vest] when he came to David at Keilah.”
But the context favors the first interpretation. The fact that David consulted the LORD (verse 1) suggests the use of the ephod (see the comment on 2.18; and see also 23.9-10). That in turn suggests that Abiathar had already joined David. The verb tenses in New American Bible clearly express this first interpretation: “Abiathar…, who had fled to David, went down with David to Keilah, taking the ephod with him” (so also La Bible Pléiade). New Jerusalem Bible is similar: “When Abiathar … took refuge with David, he went down to Keilah with the ephod in his hand.” New International Version takes the whole verse as a parenthetical remark and also uses verb tenses showing that this is something that had happened prior to the battle at Keilah: “(Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)”
Fled: see the comments on 19.18.
The words in his hand need not necessarily be translated literally. They merely mean that the ephod was in his possession as he traveled. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible, and New American Bible correctly translate “with him.”
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 .