SADOC (Heb. Sadhoq, “the just”). — High priest who lived in the time of David (see), c. 1000 B.C. He was descended from Aaron through the line of Eleazar, to whom the high priesthood had by right belonged (Num. 20:28). But at the time of S., for some unknown reason, the high priesthood had been held for several generations in the Aaronic line of Ithamar, in the person of Abiathar (see). Now, while Abiathar followed David from the persecution of Saul (1 Sam. 22:20–23), S. with his men served the most revered sanctuary at Gibeon (see), where the tabernacle and the altar of burnt offerings built by Moses were kept (cf. 1 Chron. 16:39 ff.; 2 Chron. 1:3, 5, 13).
Both priestly families were present when David successfully made his second attempt to bring the Ark into the capital (1 Chron. 15:11 ff.). Abiathar remained then in Jerusalem, and S. returned to Gibeon (ibid. 16:39 ff.), but both were again with David at the critical moment of Absalom’s revolt. David, however, did not wish them to follow him into exile; he left them in Jerusalem to guard the Ark, so that they might keep him informed of events (2 Sam. 15:24–29; 17:15 ff.). After Absalom’s death, they worked to persuade the people to recall David (ibid. 19:11–15).
The strange situation of two simultaneous high priests was resolved at the accession of Solomon. Abiathar was deposed for having supported Adonijah (see), and S. remained alone in the high priesthood (1 Kings 1:5–8; 2:26 ff.). His descendants are not mentioned in the New Testament. This had been foretold to Eli by a man of God (1 Sam. 2:30–36).
To this S., through a text of Ezekiel (44:15) interpreted arbitrarily, the followers of the “New Covenant” of Damascus (2nd cent. B.C.) claimed to trace their lineage, and it is probably from them that some of the documents found (1947) in the Judean desert derive.