Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests;
Zadok and Ahimelech served as priests during King David's reign, a period marked by the consolidation of Israel's tribes and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center. Zadok, from the line of Eleazar, was a prominent figure who remained loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:24-29). His lineage continued to serve in the priesthood, eventually becoming the sole priestly line after Solomon's reign (1 Kings 2:35). Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, represents the line of Ithamar. Abiathar, his father, was the sole survivor of the massacre of the priests at Nob (1 Samuel 22:20) and served David faithfully until he supported Adonijah instead of Solomon, leading to his removal (1 Kings 2:26-27). The dual mention of these priests highlights the transitional period in Israel's religious leadership and foreshadows the eventual establishment of the Zadokite priesthood, which is significant in Ezekiel's temple vision (Ezekiel 44:15).

Shavsha was the scribe;
Shavsha, also known as Seraiah or Sheva in other biblical accounts (2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 20:25), held the important administrative role of scribe or secretary in David's court. The scribe was responsible for maintaining official records, drafting royal decrees, and managing correspondence, reflecting the growing complexity of Israel's governance. This position underscores the shift from a tribal confederation to a centralized monarchy. The role of the scribe is crucial in understanding the development of biblical texts and the preservation of Israel's history. The mention of Shavsha in this context highlights the importance of literacy and record-keeping in the administration of the kingdom, which parallels the role of scribes in the New Testament, who were often experts in the Law (Matthew 23:2).

1. Zadok son of Ahitub
Zadok was a prominent priest during the reign of King David. He is known for his loyalty to David and later became a high priest during Solomon's reign. His lineage is significant in the priestly line.

2. Ahimelech son of Abiathar
Ahimelech, also known as Ahijah in some texts, was a priest during David's time. He was the son of Abiathar, who served as a priest during King Saul's reign and was loyal to David.

3. Shavsha
Shavsha served as a scribe or secretary under King David. The role of a scribe was crucial in maintaining records and managing correspondence for the king.

4. Priests
The priests played a vital role in the religious and spiritual life of Israel, conducting sacrifices, and maintaining the temple rituals.

5. Scribe
The scribe was responsible for recording events, drafting official documents, and ensuring the king's decrees were communicated accurately.Faithfulness in Service
Zadok and Ahimelech exemplify faithfulness in their priestly duties. Believers are encouraged to serve God with loyalty and integrity in their respective roles.

Importance of Record Keeping
Shavsha's role as a scribe underscores the importance of accurate record-keeping and communication. Christians are reminded to be diligent and truthful in their words and actions.

God's Sovereignty in Leadership
The appointment of priests and scribes reflects God's sovereignty in establishing leaders. Trust in God's plan and His choice of leaders in both spiritual and secular contexts.

Legacy of Faith
The lineage of Zadok highlights the impact of a faithful legacy. Believers are encouraged to consider the spiritual heritage they are building for future generations.

Role of Spiritual Leaders
The priests' roles in Israel's spiritual life remind us of the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding and nurturing the faith community.(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.) . . . 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 ...


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)