Meaning
A Hebrew male personal name meaning “the king is my brother” or “my brother is king”; the name is borne by more than one priest in Scripture.
Biblical Usage
Ahimelech was a priest at Nob who gave David the shewbread and the sword of Goliath when David was fleeing from Saul. Doeg the Edomite later reported the encounter to Saul.
Saul ordered the priests of Nob to be killed because Ahimelech had helped David. Ahimelech and the other priests were killed by Doeg, while Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to David.
Key References
- 1 Samuel 21:1 — David comes to Ahimelech at Nob.
- 1 Samuel 21:6 — Ahimelech gives David the hallowed bread.
- 1 Samuel 21:8 — David receives the sword of Goliath.
- 1 Samuel 22:9 — Doeg reports Ahimelech’s actions to Saul.
- 1 Samuel 22:11 — Saul summons Ahimelech and his father’s house.
- 1 Samuel 22:16 — Saul declares judgment against Ahimelech.
- 1 Samuel 22:18 — Doeg kills Ahimelech and the priests.
- 1 Samuel 22:20 — Abiathar escapes and flees to David.
- 2 Samuel 8:17 — Ahimelech is mentioned in a priestly genealogy.
- 1 Chronicles 24:3 — Ahimelech appears in the organization of the priesthood.
Related Terms
- David
- Doeg
- Abiathar
- Nob
- Priest