Boy Old Testament Known
Ahimelech
my brother is a king; my king's brother
אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ a.chi.me.lekh
Ahimelech (Hebrew: אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ, a.chi.me.lekh) means “my brother is a king; my king's brother”, by traditional interpretation. Three men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a priest. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Abiathar in 1 Chronicles 24.
Which Ahimelech?
Three men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Ahimelech
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Ahimelech
son of Abiathar
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Ahimelech
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 20 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 3 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Samuel 14:3 |
| Last appears | Psalms 52:1 |
| Cross-references | 338 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Jonathan attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Abiathar.
- Doeg co-occurrence Appears with Doeg in Psalms 52.
- Seraiah co-occurrence Appears with Seraiah in 2 Samuel 8.
- Ahitub co-occurrence Appears with Ahitub in 2 Samuel 8.
- Shemaiah co-occurrence Appears with Shemaiah in 1 Chronicles 24.
- Nethanel co-occurrence Appears with Nethanel in 1 Chronicles 24.
- Ichabod co-occurrence Appears with Ichabod in 1 Samuel 14.
- Zadok co-occurrence Appears with Zadok in 1 Chronicles 24.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.14.3;
son of: Ahitub (H0285);
father of: Abiathar (H0054); also called Ahijah (KJV: Ahiah) at 1Sa.14.3,18;
Also named: a.chiy.yah (אֲחִיָּ֫הוּ "Ahijah" H0281O)
§ Ahimelech = "my brother is king" or "brother of Melek"
1) a priest murdered by Doeg at Saul's command, for supposedly assisting David
2) a Hittite warrior under David
Ahimelech, the High Priest at Nob, gave David consecrated bread and Goliath's sword but was later killed by Saul for aiding David.
The biblical story
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. (1Sa.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. (1Sa.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. (1Sa.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. (Psa.52.1)
Key verses
Ahimelech appears in 13 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I–chabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
1 Samuel 14:3 -
And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
1 Samuel 14:18 -
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
1 Samuel 21:1 -
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
1 Samuel 21:2 -
And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.
1 Samuel 21:8
Show all 13 references
1 Samuel (12)
- 1 Samuel 14:3
- 1 Samuel 14:18
- 1 Samuel 21:1
- 1 Samuel 21:2
- 1 Samuel 21:8
- 1 Samuel 22:9
- 1 Samuel 22:11
- 1 Samuel 22:14
- 1 Samuel 22:16
- 1 Samuel 22:20
- 1 Samuel 23:6
- 1 Samuel 30:7
Psalms (1)
- Psalms 52:1