Ahimaaz

For other people named Ahimaaz, seeAhimaaz (disambiguation).

Jonathan and Ahimaaz hide from AbsalombyJohann Christoph Weigel,1695. This woodcut depicts an event recorded in2 Samuel 17:17-21.

Ahimaaz(Hebrew:אֲחִימַעַץ‎ʾĂḥīmaʿaṣ,"My Brother Is Counselor" ) was son of the high priestZadok.

He first appears in the reign of KingDavid(reigned c. 1000-962 BCE). DuringAbsalom's revolt he remained faithful to David, and, along withJonathan, son of Abiathar,assisted him by giving him news about the proceedings of Absalom inJerusalem(2 Samuel 15:24–37;17:15–21). He was a swift runner, and was the first to bring David news of the defeat of Absalom, although he refrained from mentioning his death (2 Samuel 18:19–33).

Under KingSolomon(c. 970–930 BCE), Ahimaaz's father Zadok became high priest. When Zadok died, Ahimaaz succeeded him in that position (1 Chronicles 6:8, 53).

He may have been the same Ahimaaz who took as wifeBasemath,one of Solomon's daughters (1 Kings 4:15). Subsequent kings of Israel,Ahaz,also married daughters of the high priest.

References

Attribution

This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Easton, Matthew George(1897). "Ahimaaz".Easton's Bible Dictionary(New and revised ed.). T. Nelson and Sons.