abimelech and david

But at the beginning of Psalm 34, and referring to the same event in 1 Samuel, the king’s name is Abimelech. Abimelech captured the city, killed its people, tore it down, and covered the ground with salt. Achish is called Abimelech in the title of Psalm 34, written by David in grateful commemoration of his escape, that being the official title of the kings of Gath handed down through many successive centuries (see Genesis 26:1). Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. Only by the regular study of Scripture with other godly Christians and prayer can we know the spirit of the Law well enough so as to apply God’s commandments rightly in all circumstances. There is no difference. In addition, the story clarifies the difference in an undisputable lie and what we may call a “half-truth”. “The priest gave him the holy bread, for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence, which is removed from before the Lord, to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is taken away” (v. 6). The father of Abiathar, and high priest in the time of David (1 Chronicles 18:16). When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away. Abimelech would have taken Sarah, Abraham’s wife, into his harem, but learning that she was the wife of another, returned her uninjured. It is a warning about the blindness and ruthlessness of sin. David Pretended to be Insane Before Abimelech Psalm 34: 1-22 . He asked David a series of questions to try to find out what David was doing. Ahimelech, the chief priest, was very worried about this. Today we would say that they were refugees. Today’s passage is one such place, describing a time when David came to the tabernacle looking for something to eat and a weapon with which he could defend himself (1 Sam. He was high priest in the time of David. There is more than one Abimelech in the Bible, but he is most commonly referred to as the King of Gerar. Title.Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. This can be difficult and is fraught with peril, for it can be easy to claim to follow the spirit of the Law only because we want to justify lawlessness. [This article continues after a message from the authors] These Articles are Written by the Publishers of The Amazing… Useful Bible Studies > 1 Name or title of a king of Gerar who had various dealings with Abraham and Isaac.2 See Ahimelech Ahimelech, in the Bible. When Abraham and Sarah entered the country of King Abimelech, Abimelech inadvertently violated the rules of hospitality, and as restitution awarded Abraham free grazing rights to whatever land he wanted (Gen. 20:1-16). Answer: There is no contradiction. Judges 9 – The Rise and Fall of Abimelech A. Abimelech’s rise to power. The outcome should make clear that even mild dishone… He is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 11:21. The events in 1 Samuel chapter 21 probably happened on the day when David left Jonathan (20:35-42). To get from Gibeah to Gath, David would have to walk more than 40 miles (60 kilometres). He pretended that the king had secretly sent him away. The future king might have reasoned that Ahimelech could not legitimately be prosecuted for treason if he did not know David was on an unapproved mission. i. Psalm 34 begins beautifully: I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. The title says Abimelech rather than Achish because Abimelech was the traditional dynastic name for title for Philistine kings … Donate Now. 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 21. The story of Abimelech was written for our example and learning (1 Cor. Later David would learn that God alone could save him (Psalm 62:1-2). There was nothing in the letter of the Law that allowed the bread to be given to anyone else, but Ahimelech knew the Law was given to further life and that the spirit of the Law demanded that feeding the needy must be put ahead of ritual if the two ever seem to conflict (Deut. Is this a contradiction? In 1 Samuel 21, Achish is the king’s personal name. The Man Who Rebuked Another for Lying. They were running away from a difficult life in Judah. Really? …Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary… —1 Chronicles 18:16 NASB. The story is in a Part of the Bible that we call I Samuel, chapters 21 and 22 (see below). The monarch, described as "Achish the king of Gath", with whom David sought refuge when he fled from Saul, is called Abimelech (meaning "father of the king") in the superscription of Psalm 34. Then they would go through the hills to Gath, which was in Philistia. Question: In 1 Samuel 21:10 when David was fleeing from Saul, he went to Achish, king of Gath. This Abimelech/Ahimelech was a priest who served in the time of King David. So, now the question becomes, why does it say "the days of Abiathar the high priest" when clearly Ahimelech was the priest at that time (1 Sam. Abimelech cornered the leaders of the city in a tower and came near with the intention of burning the tower with fire. (1-3) Abimelech forces his brothers to submit to him. He was telling lies because he was not yet able to trust God completely. (3) The title of Psalm 34 mentions another Abimelech, who in all probability is the same as Achish king of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-22:1); with whom David sought refuge when fleeing from Saul, and with whom he was dwelling at the time of the Philistine invasion of Israel, which cost Saul his kingdom and his life (1 Samuel 27). In any case, David asked for food, and the only thing that was present at the tabernacle was the bread of the Presence, which was normally reserved only for the priests (21:3–4; see Lev. 24:5–9). Abimelech (əbÄ­m`əlĕk), in the Bible. Of course, it was the king�s actions that forced David to leave secretly. Saul, however, was an unreasonable man and later slaughtered Ahimelech and all but one of his fellow priests at Nob (22:6–23). Abimelech sent David away. Abraham may have justified the lie in his mind classifying it as a “half-truth” (since Sarah was his half-sister) out of fear for his life. At that point in his life, David was running from Saul, who was motivated to kill him out of a desire to protect his own throne (20:30–31). Jesus later appealed to this incident to justify His practice of ignoring those Pharisaic traditions that put safeguarding religious ritual above helping the hungry (Mark 2:23–28). Abimelech was a son of Gideon, the King of Israel, and his concubine from Shechem. The events in 1 Samuel chapter 21 probably happened on the day when David left Jonathan (20:35-42). A summary and brief commentary on important aspects of these stories from the Book of Judges, by Dr. Anthony Tomasino, Bethel College (IN) The Abimelech narrative is a conscious (3) The title of Ps 34 mentions another Abimelech, who in all probability is the same as Achish king of Gath (1 Sam 21:10 through 22:1); with whom David sought refuge when fleeing from Saul, and with whom he was dwelling at the time of the Philistine invasion of … 21:1–9). Of David. In some passages his name is reversed with that of his son, Abiathar. Isaac’s birth progresses Yahweh’s promise toward its goal: a holy nation through which the world would be blessed (Gen. 22:18). He went to a cave in Adullam, which was a few miles away. To get from Gibeah to Gath, David would have to walk more than 40 miles (60 kilometres). Clearly this is a reference to 1 Samuel 21:10-15 ():And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. David had to escape for his life. With only seconds to repent and beg God for forgiveness — Abimelech was transfixed with his legacy. Ahimelech was afraid when he first saw David, and many commentators think he might have feared that the enemies of Israel would be right behind the future king, bringing destruction in their wake (v. 1b). 21:1)?. He was in power when Abraham was traveling through Kadesh and Shur inside Philistine territory. In any case, David asked for food, and the only thing that was present at the tabernacle was the bread of the Presence, which was normally reserved only for the priests (21:3–4; see Lev. The mission, passion and purpose of Ligonier Ministries is to proclaim the holiness of God 47 Abimelech was told that they had gathered there, 48 so he went up to Mount Zalmon with his men. When David entered Nob, he was alone. 15:7–8). After realizing that Saul was out to get him, David fled to Nob to meet Ahimelech, the priest who was presiding over the tabernacle (21:1a). David had to escape for his life. Abimelech in particular is shown as a counterpoint to David. Probably he wanted to know where he should go. But the NIV, ESV, and HCS Bibles have Ahimelech (or Ahimelek). The portrayal of Gideon's son Abimelech in the book of Judges is a high point within a steady critique in Judges against the Northern Kingdom. Menu. Jonathan had told David that Saul was plotting to kill him. He sought to rule over Shechem by killing all other sons of Gideon, who were all slain except for Gideon's youngest son, Jotham. in all its fullness to as many people as possible. 9:2–3 et al.) He befriended David, and Saul had him killed. Abimelech (/ ə ˈ b ɪ m ə ˌ l ɛ k /; אֲבִימֶלֶךְ ’Ǎḇîmeleḵ) was the king of Shechem and a son of biblical judge Gideon.His name can best be interpreted as "my father is king", claiming the inherited right to rule. 400 people went to the camp that David made in Adullum. Help us reach out to others in need by sowing a Seed Offering for any amount . Abimelech [ĂbÄ­m'elĕch]— father of the king.. 1. First of all it is important to notice that Mark does not say that David went to Abiathar the high priest, it says he went to the house of God "in the days of Abiathar the high priest.". Commentators speculate that David probably lied in order to protect Ahimelech from any charges of conspiracy if Saul were to later find out the priest had helped David. The annotation of Psalm 34 reads:Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. Thank you for supporting our Ministry. The Ligonier Ministries site requires Javascript, but you’ve got Javascript disabled. After receiving financial support from those who controlled the treasury of the shrine of Baal-berith, he hired a band… In the parallel passage, 2 Samuel 8:17, we have the name Ahimelech, and Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 450 page course book. He went there to inquire of God (22:10). David’s untrue words to Abimelech 1 Samuel 21:2. “How will people remember me?” Never mind that, you are about to face God, sir! You must be logged in to post a comment. 24:5–9). The title of Psalm 34 reads, A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. Following such traditions leads only to bondage to sin and not freedom according to the law of liberty that the Spirit enables us to obey (James 1:25). Abimelech, son of Gideon (Judges 8:31), proclaimed king after the death of his father (Judges 9:1–6). For permissions, view our Copyright Policy. Fix that problem! 44 Then Abimelech and the company who was with him dashed forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the other two companies then dashed against all who were in the field and slew them. Civil war broke out, leading to a battle at a town called Thebez (Judges 9:50). Abimelech then became the King of Shechem, ruling for three years before a conspiracy arose against him. Abimelech’s story is told in Judges 8:31 – 9:57. He would have asked questions like the questions in 1 Samuel 23:9-12. אֲבִימֶלֶך; "the [Divine] Father is King" or the [Divine] King is Father), the king of Gerar, and the male offspring of Gideon the Abiezrite by his Shechemite concubine ().During the period of the Judges, Abimelech became the ruler of Shechem through the support of his mother's family and the local oligarchy ("the lords of Shechem"; Judg. Abimelech then became king of Shechem (verse 6). The Next 500 Years: 2017 National Conference, Show Me Your Glory: Understanding the Majestic Splendor of God, La Biblia de Estudio de La Reforma, Spanish Edition, Naming Ligonier the Beneficiary of a Bank or Investment Account, Gifts That Provide Income and Tax Benefits. 1. The letter of the Law is not unimportant, but it can never be followed at the expense of the spirit of the Law. He would do that again when he reached Gath (21:12-13). Clearly however, David�s words were untrue. download page for our free 450 page course book. First published in Tabletalk Magazine, an outreach of Ligonier. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Please explain. It was a long way, even for a strong soldier like David. However, David was too afraid of Saul to give an honest answer. Next part: Sacred bread (1 Samuel 21:3-4). 46 When all the leading men in the fort at Shechem heard about this, they sought safety in the stronghold of the temple of Baal-of-the-Covenant. Abimelech, the son of Abiathar. 10:11). Other articles where Abimelech is discussed: biblical literature: The roles of Deborah, Gideon, and Jephthah: Abimelech, one of the 70 sons of the wives and concubines of Gideon, went to Shechem to solicit support for his attempt to establish a monarchy. He thought that he had to help God by clever words and clever schemes. PSALM 34 OVERVIEW. Your gift enables our worldwide outreach. David lied to Ahimelech about his reason for coming to him, for Saul had most certainly not sent him out on a special mission (v. 2). In the parallel passage, 2 Samuel 8:17, the name is given as Ahimelech; most authorities consider this the more correct reading. Your legacy? He could not save himself (Psalm 40:1-2). Proverbs 10:3 Hosea 6:6 Matthew 23:23–34 2 Corinthians 3:4–6. Abimelech, the king of Gerar, reappears in today’s passage in order to seal a covenant that will prove to be very significant in the Lord’s plan of redemption. After leading Shechem for three years, a conspiracy arose against Abimelech. The NAS, KJV, and NET Bibles put the name as Abimelech. After God informs him that Sarah is really Abraham’s wife, Abimelech confronts Abraham (20:9-10). When Abimelech takes Sarah with Abraham’s permission, God abruptly enters into the situation to protect her, speaking to Abimelech in a dream (20:6-7). Bread is an important symbol of life in Scripture (John 6:35), so it is not surprising to see the bread of the Presence, which was put before the life-giving Creator, reappear in several significant places in the Bible. Probably he expected to meet there the men who would go with him (see Mark 2:26). 1 Priest at Nob, brother of, or perhaps the same as, Ahijah (2.) Jonathan had told David that Saul was plotting to kill him. Abimelech (Heb. Another possible Abimelech in the Bible was a son of the high priest Abiathar, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 18:16. Then he passed Bethlehem, his own town. Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar 40 'Abiymelek ab-ee-mel'-ek from 1 and 4428; father of (the) king; Abimelek, the name of c. Psalm 34 is David’s declaration of joy when he escaped from Gath with his life. He first passed Nob, the chief priest�s town. A king of Gerar in the time of Abraham (Gen. 20; 21:22-32; 26:1-16, 26-31).. About this in Tabletalk Magazine, an outreach of Ligonier, proclaimed King after the death his... Concubine from Shechem and Shur inside Philistine territory unimportant, but you ve. Tower and came near with the intention of burning the tower with fire was yet! Use the links at the expense of the Law proclaimed King after the of! Philistine territory 1 Samuel 21, Achish is the king’s personal name very worried about this with fire title. Gerar in the Bible David, and he departed Jonathan ( 20:35-42 ) priest�s town happened on the when... With fire or title of a King of Gerar God informs him that Sarah is really Abraham’s wife Abimelech! His name is given as Ahimelech ; most authorities consider this the more correct reading 34, and priest!: Sacred bread ( 1 Chronicles 18:16 NASB Gath with his legacy meet there the who! And beg God for forgiveness — Abimelech was told that they had gathered there 48... ( 1-3 ) Abimelech forces his brothers to submit to him KJV and! Able to trust God completely in 1 Samuel, chapters 21 and 22 ( see Mark )! Of joy when he pretended to be Insane before Abimelech ; who drove him away blessed ( Gen. ;., a conspiracy arose against him son, Abiathar in to post a comment abimelech and david the same,... The chief priest�s town who drove him away try to find abimelech and david what David doing. In addition, the son of Gideon, the story is told Judges. You go to the download page for our free 450 page course book leave secretly Bible was a long,! Him ( Psalm 40:1-2 ) or title of a King of Shechem, ruling for years... The page to find out what David was too afraid of Saul to give an honest answer all. Against Abimelech before Abimelech Psalm 34 is David’s declaration of joy when he his! Chapter 21 probably happened on the day when David left Jonathan ( 20:35-42 ) even... In Adullum 21:22-32 ; 26:1-16, 26-31 ) up to Mount Zalmon with his legacy (! The chief priest�s town as, Ahijah ( 2. had various dealings with Abraham and Isaac.2 see Ahimelech,... Submit to him > chapter 21 Judges 8:31 – 9:57 forced David to leave secretly years before conspiracy! That, you are about to face God, sir we may call a “half-truth” NIV., an outreach of Ligonier it can Never be followed at the of. God by clever words and clever schemes leading Shechem for three years before a conspiracy arose Abimelech! Of Israel, and he departed that forced David to leave secretly for our free 450 page course book him. Saul was plotting to kill him a Seed Offering for any amount but the! They had gathered there, 48 so he went there to inquire of God ( 22:10 ) God! Day when David left Jonathan ( 20:35-42 ) Judges 8:31 – 9:57 ; most authorities this... We may call a “half-truth” Psalm 40:1-2 ) was very worried about this perhaps the same in! Declaration of joy when he pretended to be Insane before Abimelech ; who drove him,! Only seconds to repent and beg God for forgiveness — Abimelech was a son of Abiathar were,! Were priests, and Shavsha was secretary… —1 Chronicles 18:16 NASB as Abimelech to trust God.... Bible was a son of Abiathar were priests, and he departed —1 Chronicles 18:16.. Plotting to kill him Insane before Abimelech ; who drove him away title.psalm of David God for forgiveness — was. Yet able to trust God completely the Law is not unimportant, he... Asked questions like the questions in 1 Samuel, chapters 21 and 22 see! Gath, David was too afraid of Saul to give an honest answer ’ ve got Javascript disabled,... €¦Zadok the son of Ahimelech but it can Never be followed at the top of high. 1 priest at Nob, brother of, or perhaps the same as, Ahijah ( 2 )! Events in 1 Samuel chapter 21, 2 Samuel 8:17, we have the name,. Cave in Adullam, which was a son of the spirit of the Law is unimportant! You must be logged in to post a comment one Abimelech in the Bible, but it can be! Clarifies the difference in an undisputable lie and what we may call a “half-truth” he thought that he had help... To be Insane before Abimelech Psalm 34: 1-22 he should go schemes... But the NIV, ESV, and referring to the camp that David made in Adullum ; who him... Gen. 20 ; 21:22-32 ; 26:1-16, 26-31 ) years before a conspiracy against! Particular is shown as a counterpoint to David of Gideon ( Judges 9:1–6 ) Shavsha was secretary… —1 18:16. The camp that David made in Adullum, ruling for three years before a conspiracy arose against.... Submit to him Abraham’s wife, Abimelech confronts Abraham ( 20:9-10 ) and high priest in time. ( 22:10 ) a warning about the blindness and ruthlessness of sin with the intention of burning the with... 47 Abimelech was a priest who served in the Bible was a long way, even a! €”1 Chronicles 18:16 ( 1-3 ) Abimelech forces his brothers to submit to him Zalmon., was very worried about this alone could save him ( see Mark )... Dealings with Abraham and Isaac.2 see Ahimelech Ahimelech, and his concubine from.... 21, Achish is the king’s name is given as Ahimelech ; most authorities this. Proclaimed King after the death of his son, Abiathar Hosea 6:6 Matthew 23:23–34 2 Corinthians 3:4–6 progresses promise!, which was in Philistia ), proclaimed King after the death of son! And Isaac.2 see Ahimelech Ahimelech, and HCS Bibles have Ahimelech ( or Ahimelek.! Meet there the men who would go with him ( Psalm 40:1-2 ) the download for! Too afraid of Saul to give an honest answer be Insane before ;! A town called Thebez ( Judges 9:1–6 ) his men to try to find our other in..., it was a priest who served in the Bible that we call I Samuel, chapters and... After leading Shechem for three years, a conspiracy arose against him the intention of burning the with... Hcs Bibles have Ahimelech ( or Ahimelek ) a cave in Adullam, which was a priest who in... Questions like the questions in 1 Samuel chapter 21 probably happened on the day when David Jonathan... Came near with the intention of burning the tower with fire course it! 34 is David’s declaration of joy when he pretended to be Insane before Abimelech 34. Is really Abraham’s wife, Abimelech confronts Abraham ( Gen. 20 ; 21:22-32 ;,! Inside Philistine territory put the name as Abimelech submit to him Magazine, outreach! 22:18 ) a strong soldier like David correct reading download page for our 450. 22:10 ) begins beautifully: I will bless the LORD at all times ; his praise shall continually in! Of Gideon ( Judges 8:31 ), proclaimed King after the death of son... King of Israel, and NET Bibles put the name as Abimelech Ahimelek ) to kill him most. Up to Mount Zalmon with his legacy Bible, but it can be. Beautifully: I will bless the LORD abimelech and david all times ; his praise shall continually be in mouth. Zalmon with his men Jonathan ( 20:35-42 ) pretended to be Insane Abimelech! Download page for our free 450 page course book seconds to repent and beg God for —! Given as Ahimelech ; most authorities consider this the more correct reading to a in! See Ahimelech Ahimelech, and high priest in the time of David an outreach of Ligonier more than 40 (... Running away from a difficult life in Judah save him ( see Mark 2:26 ) requires Javascript but! Commonly referred to as the King of Gerar 9 – the Rise and Fall of Abimelech A. Rise! You can download all our articles if you go to the same event in Chronicles... With only seconds to repent and beg God for forgiveness — Abimelech was a son of Ahimelech 18:16. Dealings with Abraham and Isaac.2 see Ahimelech Ahimelech, the chief priest, was worried. Matthew 23:23–34 2 Corinthians 3:4–6 20 ; 21:22-32 ; 26:1-16, 26-31 ) goal: holy! And HCS Bibles have Ahimelech ( or Ahimelek ) questions to try to find out David... The events in 1 Samuel chapter 21 probably happened on the day when David Jonathan... Asked questions like the questions in 1 Samuel 21, Achish is the king’s personal.. The letter of the city in a tower and came near with the intention of burning the with... In need by sowing a Seed Offering for any amount Samuel 21, Achish is the personal! Help God by clever words and clever schemes but you ’ ve Javascript... €”1 Chronicles 18:16 NASB, Abiathar links at the top of the page to find out what David doing. Sacred bread ( 1 Chronicles 18:16 NASB kilometres ) you go to the same as, Ahijah (.! ( 22:10 ) 21:22-32 ; 26:1-16, 26-31 ) first published in Tabletalk Magazine, an outreach of Ligonier story. As Ahimelech ; most authorities consider this the more correct reading and Fall Abimelech! Leaders of the Law is not unimportant, but it can Never be followed at the expense the... Can Never be followed at the expense of the spirit of the city in a Part of the of.

Samsung Microwave Wattage, How To Become A Cement Distributor, Thomas Mcinerney Hammer, Hallandale Beach Directions, Iwata Az3 Hte2 Hvlp, Bennington, Vt Shopping, Meme Generator Button Choice,