- AHIKAM brother of support = helper, one of the five whom Josiah sent
to consult the prophetess Huldah in connection with the discovery of the
book of the law (2 Kings 22:12-14; 2 Chronicles 34:20). He was the son of
Shaphan, the royal secretary, and the father of Gedaliah, governor of Judea
after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (2 Kings 25:22;
Jeremiah 40:5-16; 43:6). On one occasion he protected Jeremiah against the
fury of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:24). It was in the chamber of another son
(Germariah) of Shaphan that Baruch read in the ears of all the people
Jeremiah’s roll. - AHIMAAZ brother of anger = irascible. (1.) The father Ahinoam, the wife
of Saul (1 Samuel 14:50).
(2.) The son and successor of Zadok in the office of high priest (1
Chronicles 6:8, 53). On the occasion of the revolt of Absalom he remained
faithful to David, and was of service to him in conveying to him tidings of
the proceedings of Absalom in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:24-37; 17:15-21).
He was swift of foot, and was the first to carry to David tidings of the
defeat of Absalom, although he refrained, from delicacy of feeling, from
telling him of his death (2 Samuel 18:19-33).
- AHIMAN brother of a gift = liberal. (1.) One of the three giant Anakim
brothers whom Caleb and the spies saw in Mount Hebron (Numbers
13:22) when they went in to explore the land. They were afterwards
driven out and slain (Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10).
(2.) One of the guardians of the temple after the Exile (1 Chronicles 9:17).
- AHIMELECH brother of the king, the son of Ahitub and father of
Abiathar (1 Samuel 22:20-23). He descended from Eli in the line of
Ithamar. In 1 Chronicles 18:16 he is called Abimelech, and is probably the
same as Ahiah (1 Samuel 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
(1 Samuel 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 (1
Samuel 22:9-23). Possibly Abiathar had a son also called Ahimelech, or the