Chimham
“Pining or longing”
Summary
A son of Barzillai the Gileadite who accompanied David back to Jerusalem after Absalom's rebellion, receiving land at Bethlehem.
☩Biblical Account
Chimham was a follower and probably a son of Barzillai the Gileadite, who had supported David while the king was in exile at Mahanaim during Absalom's rebellion. When David invited the aged Barzillai to come with him to Jerusalem, the old man declined on account of his age but sent his son Chimham in his stead. David promised to do for Chimham whatever Barzillai wished, and subsequently commanded Solomon to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai.
☩Legacy at Bethlehem
David appears to have bestowed on Chimham a possession at Bethlehem from his own patrimony. In later times, an inn or khan stood on this land, well known as 'the habitation of Chimham,' serving as a starting point for travelers from Jerusalem to Egypt. This location is mentioned in Jeremiah 41:17, where Jewish refugees from Ishmael stopped there before fleeing to Egypt—more than four centuries after Chimham's time, yet still bearing his name.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Chimham," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Chimham," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Chimham," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Chimham," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).