The BibleGospel Companion

Ahimelech

אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ · a.chi.me.lekh · H0288Gאֲחִיָּ֫הוּ · a.chiy.yah · H0281O“my brother is a king; my king's brother” Hitchcock's 186913 mentions in 2 books, most in 1 Samuel (12)

Who he was

Ahimelech, also known as Ahijah, was the priest at Nob during the reign of King Saul. He was the son of Ahitub and the father of Abiathar. When David was fleeing from Saul, he came to Ahimelech at Nob seeking help. Ahimelech, unaware of the conflict between David and Saul, provided David with the consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath. (1 Samuel 21:1–9)

Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul's servants, witnessed this interaction and reported it to Saul. Saul summoned Ahimelech and the other priests, accusing them of conspiring with David against him. Despite Ahimelech's defense of his actions, Saul ordered the execution of the priests. Doeg carried out the order, killing Ahimelech and eighty-four other priests. (1 Samuel 22:9–19).

Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, was the only one who escaped the massacre. He fled to David and brought with him the ephod, a priestly garment used for seeking God's guidance. (1 Samuel 22:20–23; 23.6; 30.7)

The story of Ahimelech's tragic fate is also referenced in Psalm 52, which is attributed to David when Doeg informed Saul about Ahimelech's assistance to David. The psalm reflects on the consequences of those who trust in evil and contrasts them with those who trust in God's steadfast love. (Psalms 52:1)

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Family

FatherAhitubChildrenAbiathar
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

13 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
1 SamuelChapter 14: 2 mentionsChapter 21: 3 mentionsChapter 22: 5 mentionsChapter 23: 1 mentionChapter 30: 1 mention12 mentions
1 Samuel 14:3including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of Yahweh in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn’t know that Jonathan was gone.1 Samuel 14:18Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring God’s ark here.” For God’s ark was with the children of Israel at that time.1 Samuel 21:1Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech came to meet David trembling, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no man with you?”1 Samuel 21:2David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commanded me to do something, and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the business about which I send you, and what I have…1 Samuel 21:8David said to Ahimelech, “Isn’t there here under your hand spear or sword? For I haven’t brought my sword or my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.”1 Samuel 22:9Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.1 Samuel 22:11Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests who were in Nob; and they all came to the king.1 Samuel 22:14Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, “Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, captain of your body guard, and honored in your house?1 Samuel 22:16The king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house.”1 Samuel 22:20One of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.1 Samuel 23:6When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand.1 Samuel 30:7David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” Abiathar brought the ephod to David.
PsalmsChapter 52: 1 mention1 mention
Psalms 52:1For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, “David has come to Ahimelech’s house.” Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving…

What the dictionary says

Brother of the king, the son of Ahitub and father of Abiathar (1 Sam. 22:20-23).

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources