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Ahimaiz

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(Hebrew Achima'ats, אֲחַימעְוְֹ , brother of anger, i e. irascible; Sept. Ἀχιμάας ), the name of three men.

1. The father of Ahinoam, wife of King Saul (1 Samuel 14:50), B.C. ante 1093.

2. The son and successor of Zadok (1 Chronicles 6:8; 1 Chronicles 6:53) in the high- priesthood (B.C. cir. 972-956), in which he was succeeded by his son Azariah (1 Chronicles 6:9). (See HIGH-PRIEST). 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. (See ABSALOM).

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 (q.v.), they instantly sent a girl (probably to avoid suspicion) to direct Ahimaaz and Jonathan to speed away with the intelligence. The transaction, however, was witnessed and betrayed by a lad, and the messengers were so hotly pursued that they took refuge in a dry well, 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). B.C. cir. 1023. As may be inferred from his being chosen for this service, Ahimaaz was swift of foot. (See RUNNER).

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 despatched, 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). (See DAVID). 3. Solomon's purveyor in Naphtali, who married Basmath, Solomon's daughter (1 Kings 4:15), B.C. post 1014.