Ahimaaz
“My brother is rage, or brother of anger”
Summary
A name borne by three men in Scripture, most notably the son of Zadok the high priest who served as a loyal messenger for David during Absalom's rebellion.
☩The Father-in-law of Saul
One Ahimaaz was the father of Ahinoam, who became the wife of King Saul.
☩The Son of Zadok
The most prominent Ahimaaz was the son of Zadok the high priest, who remained loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion. Along with Jonathan the son of Abiathar, he served as an intelligence courier, bringing critical information to David from Hushai the Archite within Jerusalem. The two young men narrowly escaped capture by hiding in a well at Bahurim.
☩The Victory Messenger
After Absalom's defeat, Ahimaaz urgently requested permission to carry the news to David. Famous for his swiftness, he outran the Cushite messenger by taking the plain route. He told David of the victory but, with diplomatic tact, avoided directly announcing Absalom's death. David's comment that 'he is a good man and comes with good tidings' shows the high esteem in which he was held.
☩Solomon's Son-in-law
An Ahimaaz in Naphtali was one of Solomon's twelve commissary officers, who married Basemath the daughter of Solomon. This may be the same person as the son of Zadok.
Related Verses15 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Ahimaaz," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Ahimaaz," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ahimaaz," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).