And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
Zadok ... and ... Ahimelech the son of Aniathar were the priests. There is a confusion in the text here (cf. 1 Chronicles 18:16; 1 Chronicles 24:3; 1 Chronicles 24:6; 1 Chronicles 24:31). Ahimelech is substituted for Abiathar - "and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar" for 'Abiathar the son of Ahimelech.' But in 2 Samuel 20:25, and in all other passages, it is Abiathar who is mentioned as contemporary with Zadok. On the massacre of the priests at Nob, Saul conferred the priesthood on Zadok, of the family of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:50), while David acknowledged Abiathar, of Ithamar's family, who fled to him. The two high priests exercised their office under the respective princes to whom they were attached. But on David's obtaining the kingdom over all Israel, they both retained their dignity-Abiathar officiating at Jerusalem, and Zadok at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39).