Priest living at the time of United Monarchy
Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, served as a priest during the reign of King David.
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Also known as Ahimelek · Abimelech
Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, was a priest who served during the reign of King David. He is mentioned alongside Zadok, another prominent priest, suggesting that they held important positions in the priestly hierarchy. (2Sa.8.17; 1Ch.18.16)
In the context of organizing the priestly divisions, Ahimelech is listed among the descendants of Ithamar, one of Aaron's sons. The priests were divided into groups to carry out their duties in the tabernacle and later in the temple. (1Ch.24.3,6).
Ahimelech's father, Abiathar, had a significant role in David's life, supporting him during his flight from Saul and later serving as a priest and advisor to David. (1Sa.22.20-23; 2Sa.15.24-29)
Although not much is recorded about Ahimelech's specific actions, his position as a priest during David's reign indicates that he played a role in the religious life of Israel and in serving the king.
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5 verses in 2 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H0288
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;
With the help of Eleazarʼs descendant Zadok and Ithamarʼs descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service.
The scribe, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officers: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar, and then one from Ithamar.
As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.