Ahinoam אֲחִינֹ֫עַם
Wife of David, from Jezreel; mother of Amnon
Who is Ahinoam in the Bible?
Ahinoam of Jezreel was one of King David's wives and the mother of his firstborn son, Amnon (2 Samuel 3:2). She became David's wife while he was fleeing from King Saul and living in the wilderness of Paran (1 Samuel 25:43), and she accompanied him during his time in Ziklag, where she was captured by Amalekite raiders but later rescued by David (1 Samuel 30:5). After Saul's death, Ahinoam moved with David to Hebron, where she bore Amnon following David's anointing as king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:2-4). Though the biblical account provides limited details about her life, Ahinoam's role as the mother of David's firstborn son gave her significant importance in establishing the royal line of succession.
Biography
Ahinoam of Jezreel was one of the wives of King David. She became David's wife after he fled from King Saul and settled in the wilderness of Paran. (1Sa.25.43) Ahinoam accompanied David during his time in Ziklag, a city given to him by Achish, the king of Gath. (1Sa.27.3)
When the Amalekites raided Ziklag and took captive the women and children, including Ahinoam, David pursued the raiders and rescued all who had been captured. (1Sa.30.5,18).
After Saul's death, David and his wives, including Ahinoam, moved to Hebron, where David was anointed king over Judah. (2Sa.2.2-4) Ahinoam gave birth to David's firstborn son, Amnon, in Hebron. (2Sa.3.2; 1Ch.3.1)
As one of David's wives, Ahinoam held an important position in the royal household. However, the biblical text does not provide further details about her life or her relationship with David beyond her role as the mother of Amnon.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books1 Samuel 3 verses
- 1 Samuel 25:43
"David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel. So she and Abigail were both his wives."
- 1 Samuel 27:3
"David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal."
- 1 Samuel 30:5
"David’s two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken captive."
2 Samuel 2 verses
- 2 Samuel 2:2
"So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel."
- 2 Samuel 3:2
"And sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel;"
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 3:1
"These were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second was Daniel by Abigail of Carmel;"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲחִינֹ֫עַם |