Saul wanted guidance as to what he should do in response to the report from his watchmen that the Philistine army was dispersing. Ahijah was meant to bring or give him a divine message from God so that he could act with God’s approval1 and know whether or not he had to join the battle. Ahijah would have made use of the ephod to do so.2
18 Et Saül dit à Achija: Fais approcher l'arche de Dieu! Car en ce temps, l'arche de Dieu était avec les enfants d'Israël.