Ahinoam is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, known primarily as one of the wives of King David. Her account is interwoven with the early history of Israel's monarchy and provides insight into the familial and political dynamics of the time.

Name and Meaning

The name Ahinoam (Hebrew: אֲחִינֹעַם) is understood to mean "brother of pleasantness" or "my brother is delight." This name reflects the common practice in ancient Israel of using familial terms to convey endearment or relational status.

Biblical References

Ahinoam is first introduced in the context of David's rise to power. She is described as "Ahinoam of Jezreel," distinguishing her from other individuals with similar names. Her account is primarily found in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.

1. Marriage to David: Ahinoam becomes David's wife during his time of fleeing from King Saul. In 1 Samuel 25:43, it is recorded, "David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel; so both of them were his wives." This marriage occurs shortly after David's marriage to Abigail, the widow of Nabal, highlighting David's growing household and influence.

2. Mother of Amnon: Ahinoam is noted as the mother of Amnon, David's firstborn son. In 2 Samuel 3:2, the text states, "Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel." Amnon's birthright as the firstborn son would later play a significant role in the tragic events within David's family, particularly in the narrative of Amnon and Tamar.

3. Role in David's Reign: While Ahinoam herself is not a central figure in the political events of David's reign, her position as one of his wives places her within the royal household during a formative period in Israel's history. Her son Amnon's actions and subsequent death are pivotal in the internal strife that plagued David's family.

Historical and Cultural Context

Ahinoam's marriage to David likely served both personal and political purposes. Marriages during this period often solidified alliances and strengthened claims to leadership. Her designation as "of Jezreel" suggests a connection to the region of Jezreel, which may have had strategic importance for David.

Theological Significance

Ahinoam's account, while not extensively detailed, contributes to the broader narrative of David's life and reign. Her inclusion in the biblical text underscores the complexities of David's family dynamics and the challenges of leadership in ancient Israel. The events surrounding her son Amnon highlight themes of sin, justice, and the consequences of moral failings within a covenant community.

Conclusion

Ahinoam remains a somewhat enigmatic figure, yet her presence in the biblical narrative is crucial for understanding the lineage and personal life of King David. Her account invites reflection on the roles of women in biblical history and the intricate tapestry of relationships that shaped the early monarchy of Israel.Ahinoam

beauty of the brother; brother of motion

Ahinoam

(brother of grace , i.e. gracious).

1. The daughter of Ahimaaz and wife of Saul. (1 Samuel 14:50) (B.C. about 1090.)
2. A native of Jezreel who was married to David during his wandering life. (1 Samuel 25:43) (B.C. 1060.) She lived with him and his other wife Abigail at the court of Achish, (1 Samuel 27:3) was taken prisoner with her by the Amalekites when they plundered Ziklag, (1 Samuel 30:5) but was rescued by David. (1 Samuel 30:18)

Ahinoam

1. Daughter of Ahimaaz and wife of Saul, 1 Samuel 14:50.

2. A woman of Jezreel, wife of David and mother Amnon. She was taken captive by the Amalekites, at Ziklag, 1 Samuel 30:5; but was recovered by David, and accompanied him to Hebron, 2 Samuel 2:2; 3:2.

Brother of pleasantness = pleasant.

(1.) The daughter of Ahimaaz, and wife of Saul (1 Samuel 14:50).

(2.) A Jezreelitess, the first wife of David (1 Samuel 25:43; 27:3). She was the mother of Amnon (2 Samuel 3:2). (See 1 Samuel 30:5, 18; 2 Samuel 2:2.)

AHINOAM

a-hi-no'-am, a-hin'-o-am ('achino`am, "my brother is pleasantness"):

(1) Daughter of Ahimaaz, and wife of King Saul (1 Samuel 14:50).

(2) The woman from Jezreel whom David married after Saul gave Michal to another husband. She and Abigail, the widow of Nabal, seem to have been David's only wives prior to the beginning of his reign in Hebron. His marriage to Abigail is mentioned first, with some details, followed by the statement, easily to be understood in the pluperfect, that he had previously married Ahinoam (1 Samuel 25:39-44). Three times they are mentioned together, Ahinoam always first (1 Samuel 27:3; 1 Samuel 30:5 2 Samuel 2:2), and Ahinoam is the mother of David's first son and Abigail of his second (2 Samuel 3:2 1 Chronicles 3:1). Ahinoam's son was Amnon. The record really represents David's polygamy as a series of bids for political influence; the names of Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah suggest that the method was not finally a success.

Willis J. Beecher

293. Achinoam -- "my brother is delight," two Israelite women
... Achinoam. 294 . "my brother is delight," two Israelite women. Transliteration:
Achinoam Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-no'-am) Short Definition: Ahinoam. ... Ahinoam. ...
/hebrew/293.htm - 6k

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
... And He said, Unto Hebron.2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam
the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite.3. And his men ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm

A Shepherd Boy who was Called to Lead a Nation
... of Judah?" Jehovah answered, "Go up." When David asked, "To which shall I go?" he
said, "To Hebron." So David went up with his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a shepherd boy who was.htm

The Heavenly Banquet.
... attacked the city of Ziklag, and took it, and burned it with fire, and departed,
carrying away with them the two wives of David, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lvii the heavenly banquet.htm

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... The eldest was by Ahinoam, and he was called Arenon; the second was Daniel, by his
wife Abigail; the name of the third was Absalom, by Maacah, the daughter of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... Now the king received both him and his men, and gave them a place to inhabit in.
He had with him also his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, and he dwelt in Gath. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

The History of Saul
... And David also took another wife called Ahinoam of Jezreel, and both two were
his wives. After this Saul always sought David for to slay him. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Ahinoam (7 Occurrences)
...AHINOAM. a-hi-no'-am, a-hin'-o-am ('achino`am, "my brother is pleasantness"):
(1) Daughter of Ahimaaz, and wife of King Saul (1 Samuel 14:50). ...
/a/ahinoam.htm - 10k

Ahin'o-am (7 Occurrences)
Ahin'o-am. Ahinoam, Ahin'o-am. Ahio . ... (See RSV). 1 Samuel 25:43 David also took
Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they became both of them his wives. (See RSV). ...
/a/ahin'o-am.htm - 8k

Jezreelitess (5 Occurrences)
... jez'-re-el-it-es, jez'-rel-it-es (yizre`e'lith, "of Jezreel," feminine): Applied
to Ahinoam, one of David's first two wives, a native of Jezreel in Judah (1 ...
/j/jezreelitess.htm - 8k

Jizreelitess (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 27:3 And David abode with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with
his household; David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jizreelitess, and ...
/j/jizreelitess.htm - 7k

Ab'igail (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 27:3 David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his
household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and ...
/a/ab'igail.htm - 10k

Abigail (18 Occurrences)
... Shortly after this David took Abigail to be his wife, although about the same time,
probably a little before, he had also taken Ahinoam (1 Samuel 25:43); and ...
/a/abigail.htm - 17k

Amnon (23 Occurrences)
... Faithful. (1.) One of the sons of Shammai, of the children of Ezra (1 Chronicles
4:20; Comp. 17). (2.) The eldest son of David, by Ahinoam of Jezreel (1 ...
/a/amnon.htm - 15k

Carmelite (6 Occurrences)
... Carmelite (6 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 30:5 David's two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam
the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. ...
/c/carmelite.htm - 9k

Ahimaaz (15 Occurrences)
... (1.) The father Ahinoam, the wife of Saul (1 Samuel 14:50). ... 1 Samuel 14:50 and
the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. ...
/a/ahimaaz.htm - 14k

Jezreel (37 Occurrences)
... (2.) A town in Judah (Joshua 15:56), to the south-east of Hebron. Ahinoam, one of
David's wives, probably belonged to this place (1 Samuel 27:3). ...
/j/jezreel.htm - 27k

Who was Amnon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ahimaaz in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How many children did King David have? | GotQuestions.org

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