Ahim'elech, a significant priestly figure in the Old Testament, is primarily known for his interactions with David during a critical period of David's life. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.

Lineage and Role:
Ahim'elech was a descendant of Eli, the high priest, and belonged to the priestly line of Ithamar, one of Aaron's sons. He served as the high priest at Nob, a city of priests, during the reign of King Saul. Ahim'elech was the son of Ahitub and the father of Abiathar, who later became a prominent priest during the reign of King David.

Interaction with David:
Ahim'elech's most notable biblical account occurs in 1 Samuel 21. Fleeing from King Saul, David arrives at Nob and seeks assistance from Ahim'elech. The priest, unaware of the full extent of David's situation, provides him with consecrated bread, known as the Bread of the Presence, which was typically reserved for priests. This act of kindness is later referenced by Jesus in the New Testament as an example of mercy over ritual (Matthew 12:3-4, Mark 2:25-26, Luke 6:3-4).

Additionally, Ahim'elech gives David the sword of Goliath, which had been kept at Nob. This assistance, however, leads to dire consequences for Ahim'elech and the priests of Nob.

Tragic Consequences:
The events at Nob are reported to King Saul by Doeg the Edomite, who witnessed the interaction between David and Ahim'elech. Saul, consumed by jealousy and paranoia, accuses Ahim'elech of conspiring with David. Despite Ahim'elech's defense, asserting his loyalty to the king and ignorance of any conspiracy, Saul orders the execution of Ahim'elech and the priests of Nob.

In 1 Samuel 22:18-19 , it is recorded: "Then the king ordered Doeg, 'You turn and strike down the priests!' So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword—men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep."

Legacy:
Ahim'elech's son, Abiathar, escapes the massacre and flees to David, becoming a loyal priest and advisor throughout David's life. Abiathar's survival ensures the continuation of Ahim'elech's priestly line, which plays a crucial role in the religious and political landscape of Israel during David's reign.

Ahim'elech's account is a poignant reminder of the complexities of loyalty, the consequences of political intrigue, and the tragic outcomes that can arise from the misuse of power. His actions, though leading to his demise, are remembered for their compassion and adherence to the spirit of the law, rather than its letter.Ahim'elech (16 Occurrences)

1 Samuel 21:1
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech came to meet David trembling, and said unto him: 'Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?'
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1 Samuel 21:2
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest: 'The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me: Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee; and the young men have I appointed to such and such a place.
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1 Samuel 21:8
And David said unto Ahimelech: 'And is there peradventure here under thy hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.'
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1 Samuel 22:9
Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, and said: 'I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
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1 Samuel 22:11
Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob; and they came all of them to the king.
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1 Samuel 22:14
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said: 'And who among all thy servants is so trusted as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and giveth heed unto thy bidding, and is honourable in thy house?
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1 Samuel 22:16
And the king said: 'Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.'
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1 Samuel 22:20
And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
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1 Samuel 23:6
And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
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1 Samuel 26:6
Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying: 'Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?' And Abishai said: 'I will go down with thee.'
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1 Samuel 30:7
And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech: 'I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod.' And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
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2 Samuel 8:17
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;
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1 Chronicles 18:16
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
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1 Chronicles 24:3
And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
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1 Chronicles 24:6
And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites: one father's house being taken for Eleazar, and proportionately for Ithamar.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 24:31
These likewise cast lots even as their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers' houses of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
(See RSV)

Ahim'elech (16 Occurrences)
Ahim'elech. Ahimelech, Ahim'elech. Ahimelech's . Multi-Version Concordance
Ahim'elech (16 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 21:1 Then came ...
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Ahimelech (17 Occurrences)

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Ahimelech's (1 Occurrence)

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