Reference: Ahimelech
American
1. Son of Ahitub, and brother of Ahiah, whom he succeeded in the high priesthood. Some think, however, that both names belong to the same person. During his priesthood the tabernacle was at Nob, where Ahimelech dwelt, with many priests. Here he received David when fleeing from Saul, and gave him the showbread and Goliath's sword. This act, as reported by Doeg the Edomite, Saul viewed as treasonous; and by the hand of this idolatrous and malignant foreigner, he put Ahimelech and eighty-five other priests of Jehovah to death, 1Sa 22--a crime sufficient of itself to forfeit the throne and the favor of God.
2. Also called Abimelech, 1Ch 18:16, probably the same as Abiathar, which see, 1Ch 24:3,6,31.
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Easton
brother of the king, the son of Ahitub and father of Abiathar (1Sa 22:20-23). He descended from Eli in the line of Ithamar. In 1Ch 18:16 he is called Abimelech, and is probably the same as Ahiah (1Sa 14:3,18). He was the twelfth high priest, and officiated at Nob, where he was visited by David (to whom and his companions he gave five loaves of the showbread) when he fled from Saul (1Sa 21:1-9). He was summoned into Saul's presence, and accused, on the information of Doeg the Edomite, of disloyalty because of his kindness to David; whereupon the king commanded that he, with the other priests who stood beside him (86 in all), should be put to death. This sentence was carried into execution by Doeg in the most cruel manner (1Sa 22:9-23). Possibly Abiathar had a son also called Ahimelech, or the two names, as some think, may have been accidentally transposed in 2Sa 8:17; 1Ch 18:16, marg.; 1Ch 24:3,6,31.
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Fausets
1. (See ABIATHAR, (See AHIJAH.)
2. The Hittite who, with Abishai, was asked by David: "Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?" He lost a precious opportunity of serving the king (Isa 6:8); Abishai alone volunteered (1Sa 26:6).
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Hastings
1. Son of Ahitub, and grandson of Phinehas. He either succeeded his brother Ahijah in the priesthood, or more probably was the same person under another name (1Sa 14:3,18). For his fate see Doeo. In 2Sa 8:17 and 1Ch 18:16; 24:6 the names of Abiathar and Ahimelech have been transposed. 2. A Hittite, who joined David when a fugitive (1Sa 26:6).
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Morish
Ahim'elech
1. Priest at the time the ark was at Nob. He received David when fleeing from Saul, gave him the showbread and the sword of Goliath. This being reported to Saul by Doeg the Edomite, Ahimelech and the other priests were put to death, Abiathar alone escaping. 1Sa 21:1-8; 22:9-20; Ps. 52. title.
2. Son of Abiathar, 2Sa 8:17; called ABIMELECH in 1Ch 18:16. See ABIATHAR
3. A Hittite, companion of David when persecuted by Saul. 1Sa 26:6.
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Smith
Ahim'elech
(brother of the king).
1. Son of Ahitub,
and high priest of Nob in the days of Saul. He gave David the shew bread to eat, and the sword of Goliath; and for so doing was put to death, with his whole house, by Saul's order. Abiathar alone escaped. [ABIATHAR] (B.C. 1085-1060.)
See Abiathar
2. A Hittite.
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Watsons
AHIMELECH. He was the son of Ahitub, and brother of Ahia, whom he succeeded in the high priesthood. He is called Abiathar, Mr 2:26. During his priesthood the tabernacle was at Nob, where Ahimelech, with other priests, had their habitation. David, being reformed by his friend Jonathan that Saul was determined to destroy him, thought it prudent to retire. He therefore went to Nob, to the high priest Ahimelech, who gave him the shew bread, and the sword of Goliath. One day, when Saul was complaining of his officers, that no one was affected with his misfortunes, or gave him any intelligence of what was carrying on against him, 1Sa 22:9, &c, Doeg related to him what had occurred when David came to Ahimelech the high priest. On this information, Saul convened the priests, and having charged them with the crime of treason, ordered his guards to slay them, which they refusing to do, Doeg, who had been their accuser, at the king's command became their executioner, and with his sacrilegious hand massacred no less than eighty-five of them; the Septuagint and Syriac versions make the number of priests slain by Doeg three hundred and five. Nor did Saul stop here; but, sending a party to Nob, he commanded them to slay men, women, and children, and even cattle, with the edge of the sword. Only one son of Ahimelech, named Abiathar, escaped the carnage and fled to David.