Ahimaaz

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

("brother of anger", i.e. "choleric".)

1.  1 Samuel 14:50.

2. Zadok the priest's son; the messenger in Absalom's rebellion, with Jonathan, Abiathar's son, to carry tidings from Hushai, David's friend and spy. Zadok and Abiathar, who took back the ark to the city at David's request, were to tell them while staying outside the city at Enrogel whatever Hushai directed. They told David the counsel of Ahlthophel for an immediate attack, which David should baffle by crossing Jordan at once. They narrowly escaped Absalom's servants at Bahurim, the woman of the house hiding them in a well's mouth, over which she spread a covering with ground grain on it, and telling the servants what was true in word, though misleading them: "they be gone over the brook of water." Bahurim, the scene of Shimei's cursing of David, was thus made the scene of David's preservation by God, who heard his prayer ( 1 Samuel 16:12;  Psalms 109:28).

David's estimate of Ahimaaz appears in his remark on his approach after the battle ( 2 Samuel 18:27): "he is a good man, and cometh with good tidings." Though Cushi was later in arriving he announced the fate of Absalom, which Ahimaaz with courtier-like equivocation evaded announcing, lest he should alloy his good news with what would be so distressing to David. Joab, knowing David's fondness for Absalom, had not wished Ahimaaz to go at all on that day, but youths will hardly believe their elders wiser than themselves. Good running was a quality much valued in those days, and Ahimaaz was famous for it. The battle was fought on the mount of Ephraim W. of Jordan, and Ahimaaz ran by the plain of the Jordan to David at Mahanaim. Compare as to Asahel  2 Samuel 2:18; Elijah,  1 Kings 18:46. Compare as to runners before kings  2 Samuel 15:1;  1 Kings 1:5; as to courier posts,  2 Chronicles 30:6;  2 Chronicles 30:10;  Esther 3:13;  Esther 3:15;  Esther 8:14. Comparing  1 Kings 4:2 with  1 Chronicles 6:10, some infer that Ahimaaz died before he attained the priesthood, and before his father Zadok, who was succeeded by Ahimaaz's son, Azariah. (See Abiathar )

3.  1 Kings 5:7;  1 Kings 5:15.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Ahimaaz ( A-Hĭ M'A-Ăz ), Brother Of Anger. 1. The father of Ahinoam, Saul's wife.  1 Samuel 14:50. 2. The son of Zadok the priest. He, with Jonathan, Abiathar's son, contrived to bring David Intelligence, during Absalom's rebellion, of Ahithophel's counsel, and Hushai's endeavor to counteract it. They were hid in a well and escaped capture.  2 Samuel 15:27;  2 Samuel 15:36;  2 Samuel 17:15-22. When the royal forces had gained the victory, he offered to convey the news to David; but his request was refused by Joab because of Absalom's death. After Cushi had been despatched, Ahimaaz again solicited permission to run, and, having overcome Joab's reluctance, he started, outran Cushi, and apprised the king of the success achieved. In answer, however, to the inquiry respecting Absalom, he, not quite truthfully, replied that he had seen a tumult, but "knew not what it was."  2 Samuel 18:19-30. We hear nothing more of Ahimaaz, and, comparing  1 Kings 4:2;  1 Chronicles 6:8-9;  1 Chronicles 6:53, it seems probable that he died before his father, and was never high priest. 3. One of Solomon's commissariat officers.  1 Kings 4:15. We cannot suppose this person identical with No. 2.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

1. Father of Ahinoam, wife of Saul.  1 Samuel 14:50 .

2. Son of Zadok the priest.  2 Samuel 15:27,36 . When Absalom revolted and David had to flee from Jerusalem, Zadok continuing true to David, returned to the city, and Ahimaaz, and Jonathan son of Abiathar, remained at En-rogel; to whom Zadok sent word of the counsel of Ahithophel and of Hushai by a 'wench,' and they hastened to David with the news. But a lad having seen the transaction, messengers were sent in pursuit. The spies however reached a house in Bahurim, and were hid in a well, corn being spread over the covering. Their pursuers were told that they had gone on their way. So they having searched for them in vain returned to Jerusalem. The spies then hastened to David, and reached him in safety.  2 Samuel 17:17-21 . On the defeat and death of Absalom, Ahimaaz begged that he might run with the news to David. Joab at first refused; but after Cushi had started, he allowed Ahimaaz to go also; who, being swift of foot, reached David first and told him of the defeat of Absalom, but let Cushi tell of his death.  2 Samuel 18:19-29 . We have no evidence of Ahimaaz succeeding to the priesthood. He may have died before his father.

3. An officer of Solomon in Naphtali who married Basmath, daughter of Solomon.  1 Kings 4:15 .

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

the son of Zadok, the high priest. Ahimaaz succeeded his father under the reign of Solomon. He performed a very important piece of service for David during the war with Absalom. While his father Zadok was in Jerusalem,  2 Samuel 15:29 , Ahimaaz and Jonathan continued without the city,  2 Samuel 17:17 , near En-Rogel, or the fountain of Rogel; thither a maid servant came to tell them the resolution which had been taken in Absalom's council: whereupon they immediately departed to give the king intelligence. But being discovered by a young lad who gave information concerning them to Absalom, that prince sent orders to pursue them: Ahimaaz and Jonathan, fearing to be taken, retired to a man's house at Baharim, in whose court-yard there was a well, wherein they concealed themselves. After the battle, in which Absalom was overcome and slain, 17, Ahimaaz desired leave of Joab to carry the news thereof to David. But instead of him Joab sent Cushi to carry the news, and told Ahimaaz that he would send him to the king upon some other occasion; but soon after Cushi was departed, Ahimaaz applied again to Joab, praying to be permitted to run after Cushi; and, having obtained leave, he ran by the way of the plain, and outran Cushi. He was succeeded in the priesthood by his son Azariah.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

AHIMAAZ . 1 . Saul’s father-in-law (  1 Samuel 14:50 ). 2 . Son of Zadok. He and Jonathan were stationed outside Jerusalem to learn Absalom’s plans; after an adventurous journey they succeeded in warning David (  2 Samuel 15:27;   2 Samuel 15:36;   2 Samuel 17:17-21 ). Ahimaaz was eager to carry the tidings of Absalom’s defeat; but Joab preferred to send by an Ethiopian slave the unwelcome news of the prince’s death. Obtaining leave to follow, Ahimaaz outstripped this man, was recognized by the watchman through the style of his running, but left the Ethiopian to disclose the worst (  2 Samuel 18:19-32 ). It may be the same person who appears later as Solomon’s son-in-law and commissioner in Naphtali (  1 Kings 4:15 ).

J. Taylor.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Ahim'a-az. (Brother Of Anger).

1. Son of Zadok, the high priest, in David's reign, and celebrated for his swiftness of foot. During Absalom's rebellion, he carried to David the important intelligence that Ahithophel had counseled an immediate attack upon David and his followers.  2 Samuel 15:24-37;  2 Samuel 17:15-22. Shortly afterwards, he was the first to bring to the king the good news of Absalom's defeat.  2 Samuel 18:19-33. (B.C. 972-956).

2. Saul's wife's father.  1 Samuel 14:50. (B.C. before 1093).

3. Solomon's son-in-law.  1 Kings 4:15. (B.C. after 1014).

Holman Bible Dictionary

 1 Samuel 14:50 2 2 Samuel 15:27 2 Samuel 15:36 2 Samuel 7:17 2 Samuel 17:18-21 2 Samuel 18:19-29 2 Samuel 18:27 3 1 Kings 4:15

Easton's Bible Dictionary

• The father Ahinoam, the wife of Saul (1Samuel 14:50).
• The son and successor of Zadok in the office of high priest (1Chronicles 6:8,53). On the occasion of the revolt of Absalom he remained faithful to David, and was of service to him in conveying to him tidings of the proceedings of Absalom in Jerusalem (2Samuel 15:24-37; 17:15-21). He was swift of foot, and was the first to carry to David tidings of the defeat of Absalom, although he refrained, from delicacy of feeling, from telling him of his death (2Samuel 18:19-33).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The son and successor of Zadok became high priest in the reign of Solomon. During the reign of David, he revealed to him the counsels of Absalom and his advisers in rebellion,  2 Samuel 17:15-21; and conveyed to him also the tidings of Absalom's defeat and death,  2 Samuel 18:1-33 .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a - hi - mā´az , a - him´ā̇ - az ( אחימעץ , 'ăḥı̄ma‛ac , perhaps "my brother is rage," or "brother of rage"):

(1) Father of Ahinoam the wife of King Saul ( 1 Samuel 14:50 ).

(2) The son of Zadok the high priest ( 1 Chronicles 6:8 ,  1 Chronicles 6:9 ,  1 Chronicles 6:53 ). With his father he remained loyal to Dared in the rebellions both of Absalom and of Adonijah. With Jonathan the son of Abiathar he carried information to Dared when he fled from Absalom ( 2 Samuel 15:27 ,  2 Samuel 15:36;  2 Samuel 17:17 ,  2 Samuel 17:20 ). At his own urgent request he carried tidings to David after the death of Absalom ( 2 Samuel 18:19 ). He told the king of the victory, and also, through his reluctance to speak, informed him of Absalom's death. By his reluctance and his sympathy he softened a little the message, which the Cushite presently repeated more harshly.

That Ahimaaz did not succeed his father as high priest has been inferred from the fact that in the Solomon list of heads of departments ( 1 Kings 4:2 ) Azariah the son of Zadok is mentioned as priest. It is assumed that this Azariah is the one who appears in the genealogy as the son of Ahimaaz, and that for some reason Ahimaaz was left out of the succession. These inferences are not Justified by the record, though possibly the record does not absolutely disprove them. As the list stands it makes Zadok and Abiathar the high priests. Azariah and Zabud, the son of Nathan ( 1 Kings 4:2 ,  1 Kings 4:5 ), are spoken of as holding priestly offices of a different kind. Ahimaaz may have died early, or may have followed some other career, but the simple fact is that we do not know.

(3) Ahimaaz, in Naphtali, was one of Solomon's twelve commissary officers ( 1 Kings 4:15 ), who married Basemath the daughter of Solomon. It is not impossible that he was Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, though there is no proof to that effect.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Ahim´aaz (brother of anger, i.e. irascible), son and successor of Zadok, who was joint high-priest in the reign of David, and sole high-priest in that of Solomon. His history belongs to the time of David, to whom he rendered an important service during the revolt of Absalom. David having refused to allow the ark of God to be taken from Jerusalem when he fled thence, the high-priests, Zadok and Abiathar, necessarily remained in attendance upon it; but their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, concealed themselves outside the city, to be in readiness to bear off to David any important information, respecting the movements and designs of Absalom, which they might receive from within. Accordingly, Hushai having communicated to the priests the result of the council of war, in which his own advice was preferred to that of Ahithophel [ABSALOM], they instantly sent a girl (probably to avoid suspicion) to direct Ahimaaz and Jonathan to speed away with the intelligence. The transaction was, however, witnessed and betrayed by a lad, and the messengers were so hotly pursued that they took refuge in a dry cistern, over which the woman of the house placed a covering, and spread thereon parched corn. She told the pursuers that the messengers had passed on in haste; and when all was safe, she released them, on which they made their way to David ( 2 Samuel 15:24-37;  2 Samuel 17:15-21; As may be inferred from his being chosen for this service, Ahimaaz was swift of foot. Of this we have a notable example soon after, when, on the defeat and death of Absalom, he prevailed on Joab to allow him to carry the tidings to David. Another messenger, Cushi, had previously been dispatched, but Ahimaaz outstripped him, and first came in with the news. He was known afar off by the manner of his running, and the king said, 'He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings;' and this favorable character is justified by the delicacy with which he waived that part of his intelligence concerning the death of Absalom, which he knew would greatly distress so fond a father as David ( 2 Samuel 18:19-33).