◄ 1 Chronicles 18:16 ►
Verse  (Click for Chapter)
New International Version
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary;

New Living Translation
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were the priests. Seraiah was the court secretary.

English Standard Version
and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; and Shavsha was secretary;

Berean Standard Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;

King James Bible
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

New King James Version
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Shavsha was the scribe;

New American Standard Bible
and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary;

NASB 1995
and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary;

NASB 1977
and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary;

Legacy Standard Bible
and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was scribe;

Amplified Bible
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests, and Shavsha was secretary (state scribe);

Christian Standard Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was court secretary;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was court secretary;

American Standard Version
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

Contemporary English Version
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests. Shavsha was the secretary.

English Revised Version
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ahitub's son Zadok and Abiathar's son Abimelech were priests. Shavsha was the royal scribe.

Good News Translation
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was court secretary;

International Standard Version
Ahitub's son Zadok and Abiathar's son Ahimelech were priests, Shavsha was his personal secretary,

Majority Standard Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;

NET Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe;

New Heart English Bible
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

Webster's Bible Translation
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

World English Bible
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar [are] priests, and Shavsha [is] scribe,

Young's Literal Translation
and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Abimelech son of Abiathar, are priests, and Shavsha is scribe,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Zadok son of Ahitub, and Abimelech son of Abiathar, the priests; and Shavsha the scribe.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Sadoc the son of Achitob, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests: and Susa, scribe.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Zadok, the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were the priests. And Shavsha was the scribe.

New American Bible
Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, were priests; Shavsha was scribe;

New Revised Standard Version
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelek the son of Abiathar were the priests; and Seriah was scribe;And when the Arameans saw that they had been defeated before Israel, they sent messengers and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the river; and they came to Hilam, and Shobach the commander of the army of Hadarezer went before them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Tsaduq, son of Akhitub, and Akhimlek, son of Abiathar the Priest, and Sariya the Scribe
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Sadoc son of Achitob, and Achimelech son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Susa was the scribe;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Officers
…15Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; 16Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe; 17Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.…
Berean Standard Bible · Download


Cross References
2 Samuel 8:17
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;

1 Kings 4:2-4
and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest; / Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

2 Samuel 20:25
Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

1 Chronicles 24:3
With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service.

1 Chronicles 6:4-15
Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas was the father of Abishua, / Abishua was the father of Bukki, Bukki was the father of Uzzi, / Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth, ...

1 Chronicles 24:6
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.

1 Chronicles 24:31
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.

1 Chronicles 6:50-53
These were the descendants of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, / Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, / Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, ...

1 Chronicles 12:27
including Jehoiada, leader of the house of Aaron, with 3,700 men,

1 Chronicles 15:11
David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

1 Chronicles 16:39
And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon

1 Chronicles 24:1-19
These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. / But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. / With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. ...

1 Chronicles 27:5
The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division.

1 Chronicles 27:16-22
These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel: Over the Reubenites was Eliezer son of Zichri; over the Simeonites was Shephatiah son of Maacah; / over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron was Zadok; / over Judah was Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar was Omri son of Michael; ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

Abimelech

2 Samuel 8:17
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

Ahimelech

2 Samuel 20:25
And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:

1 Kings 2:35
And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.

Shavsha

2 Samuel 8:17
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

Seraiah

1 Kings 4:3
Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.

Shisha

Jump to Previous
Abiathar Abi'athar Abimelech Ahimelech Ahim'elech Ahitub Ahi'tub Priests Scribe Secretary Zadok
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Abiathar Abi'athar Abimelech Ahimelech Ahim'elech Ahitub Ahi'tub Priests Scribe Secretary Zadok
1 Chronicles 18
1. David subdues the Philistines and the Moabites
3. He smites Hadarezer and the Syrians
9. Tou sends Hadoram with presents to bless David
11. The presents and the spoil David dedicates to God
13. He put garrisons in Edom
14. David's officers














Berean Study Bible
Zadok son of Ahitub
The name "Zadok" is derived from the Hebrew root "tsadaq," meaning "righteous" or "just." Zadok's lineage as the son of Ahitub places him within the priestly line of Eleazar, Aaron's son. Historically, Zadok's role as a priest during King David's reign signifies a period of religious consolidation and spiritual leadership. Zadok's faithfulness is later rewarded when his descendants are chosen to serve in the temple, highlighting the importance of righteousness and loyalty in God's service.

Ahimelech son of Abiathar
The name "Ahimelech" means "my brother is king," which may reflect the close relationship between the priesthood and the monarchy in Israel. Ahimelech's father, Abiathar, was a priest who served during King David's time, and his lineage traces back to Eli, the high priest. This connection underscores the continuity of the priestly office and the divine mandate to guide the spiritual life of the nation. The mention of Ahimelech alongside Zadok suggests a shared responsibility in maintaining the religious order and upholding God's covenant with Israel.

were priests
The role of priests in ancient Israel was central to the spiritual and communal life of the nation. Priests were responsible for performing sacrifices, teaching the law, and interceding for the people before God. The Hebrew word for priest, "kohen," implies a role of mediation and service. In the context of David's reign, the priesthood was crucial in unifying the tribes and establishing Jerusalem as the religious center. This verse highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and the need for godly individuals to guide the community in worship and obedience to God's commands.

Shavsha was the scribe
The name "Shavsha" is less commonly known, but the role of a scribe was vital in the administration of the kingdom. The Hebrew term for scribe, "sopher," indicates someone who is skilled in writing and record-keeping. Scribes were responsible for documenting royal decrees, maintaining genealogies, and preserving sacred texts. In the historical context of David's reign, the presence of a scribe like Shavsha reflects the growing complexity of the kingdom's administration and the need for accurate record-keeping. This role underscores the importance of literacy and the preservation of God's word for future generations.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(16) Zadok, of the line of Eleazar (1Chronicles 6:4-8). (Comp. 1Chronicles 12:28; 1Chronicles 16:39; 2Samuel 8:17; 2Samuel 15:24; 2Samuel 19:11; 1Kings 1:8; 1Kings 4:4.) . . .
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 16. - Abimelech the son of Abiathar. The reading in the parallel place is, "Abimelech the son of Abiathar," as also in 1 Chronicles 24:6; but comparison of 1 Samuel 22:20; 2 Samuel 20:25; 1 Kings 1:7, 8, suggests that the right reading would be "Abiathar the son of Ahimelech." With this Mark 2:26 agrees, and tells of a correct manuscript, from which, indirectly, the quotation came. Shavsha. The parallel place reads Seraiaha; 2 Samuel 20:25 reads Sheva; and 1 Kings 4:3 reads Shisha. The differences are probably due simply to errors of transcription. Scribe. The historical development of this title is obscure, and not easy to trace. The use of some form or other of the root is abundantly frequent from the times of the earliest parts of Scripture, in the sense of "numbering," or "declaring," or "recording." Perhaps our title of "secretary" would answer sufficiently to it, and all the better, because the Old Testament scribes were also of different leading kinds, like in some degree to our various secretaries of state. There was the kind of scribe of Judges 5:14 - where our Authorized Version is far from the mark, and should rather read "the staff of the scribe," in place of "the pen of the writer" - a military officer, whose duty it was to keep the muster-roll. There was the scribe of 2 Kings 25:19 - a passage which throws light on the former (see also Isaiah 33:18; Jeremiah 52:25). There were the scribes of a more literary, lawyer-like, or clerk-like kind, as here, and in the parallel place, and in 2 Samuel 20:25; 1 Kings 4:3; 1 Chronicles 2:55. In the time of Hezekiah, if not before, the scribes became distinctly a class of men (Proverbs 25:1; Jeremiah 8:8); and the times of the Captivity greatly enlarged their importance. Their exact duties in the best times of the monarchy are not laid down, but the dignified place the king's scribe held is evident from the company in which he is placed here and in the parallel passage.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Zadok
וְצָד֧וֹק (wə·ṣā·ḏō·wq)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6659: Zadok -- the name of several Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahitub
אֲחִיט֛וּב (’ă·ḥî·ṭūḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 285: Ahitub -- 'my brother is goodness', two Israelites

and Ahimelech
וַאֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ (wa·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Abiathar
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר (’eḇ·yā·ṯār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 54: Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest

were priests;
כֹּהֲנִ֑ים (kō·hă·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

Shavsha
וְשַׁוְשָׁ֖א (wə·šaw·šā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7798: Shavsha -- an Israelite

[was] the scribe;
סוֹפֵֽר׃ (sō·w·p̄êr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 18:16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 18:15
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