Lexical Definition
אֲחִימֶלֶךְ ʼĂchîymelek (akh-ee-meh'-lek) Ahimelech N:N-M-P
from אָח and מֶלֶךְ; brother of (the) king
Ahimelech.
- § Ahimelech = "my brother is king" or "brother of Melek"
- Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite
1) a priest murdered by Doeg at Saul's command, for supposedly assisting David
2) a Hittite warrior under David
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| אֲחִימֶ֣לֶךְ | Ahimelech | 1Sam.26.6 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Sa.26.6
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ proper name, masculine (brother of Melek, Phoenician חמלך, חמלכת; see also אחיהו above)
1. priest in Saul's (David's) time 1Sam 21:2* (twice in verse); 1Sam 21:3*; 1Sam 21:9*; 1Sam 22:14; 1Sam 22:16 (אֲחִימֶ֑לֶךְ 1Chr 24:31; Ps 52:2* = (title); son of Ahitub 1Sam 22:9; 1Sam 22:11 (compare12); 1Sam 22:20 father of Abiathar 1Sam 23:6; 1Sam 30:7 so also 2Sam 8:17 ᵑ6 Ew We Th Dr; where ᵑ0 ׳בןאֿביתר אחימ; whence id. wrongly 1Chr 24:6, compare v1Chr 24:4 (מִבְּנֵי אִיתָמָר ׳אֲח) & 1Chr 18:16 (where read ׳אֲח for ׳אֲב).
2. a Hittite 1Sam 26:6.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Samuel | 21:2* · 21:3* · 21:9* · 22:9 · 22:11 · 22:14 · 22:16 · 22:20 · 23:6 · 26:6 · 30:7 |
| 2 Samuel | 8:17 |
| 1 Chronicles | 18:16 · 24:4 · 24:6 · 24:31 |
| Psalms | 52:2* |
Profile
Male • David's warrior • Son of Ahitub, a Hittite warrior who joined David
Man living at the time of United Monarchy
Ahimelech the Hittite was one of David's warriors who accompanied him to Saul's camp while Saul was pursuing David. (1Sa.26.6)
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Sa.26.6;
- only referred to as Ahimelech אֲחִימֶלֶךְ.
Ahimelech the Hittite is briefly mentioned as one of the warriors who accompanied David when he infiltrated Saul's camp. During this time, Saul was pursuing David, seeking to kill him out of jealousy and fear for his own kingship. David, along with Ahimelech and Abishai, snuck into Saul's camp while Saul and his men were sleeping.
Abishai suggested killing Saul, but David refused, choosing to spare Saul's life as he was the Lord's anointed. Instead, David took Saul's spear and water jug, which were near Saul's head, and left the camp undetected. (1Sa.26.6-12)
Ahimelech's presence alongside David demonstrates his loyalty and support for the future king, even in the face of danger. As a Hittite, Ahimelech's allegiance to David also shows that David's followers came from various backgrounds, not just Israelites.
All entries for Ahimelech: אֲחִימֶלֶךְ