Ahitub אֲחִיטוּב
Father of Ahimelech, High Priest at Nob killed by Saul
Biography
Ahitub was the father of Ahimelech, who served as the priest at Nob during the reign of King Saul. Ahitub's other son, Ahijah, also served as a priest and wore an ephod, indicating his priestly role. (1Sa.14.3). He is not specifically named as a High Priest but he is the gradson of High Priest Eli and father of High Priest Ahimelech.
When David fled from Saul, he came to Ahimelech at Nob seeking help. Ahimelech provided David with the consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath. (1Sa.21.1-9) However, Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul's servants, witnessed this interaction and reported it to Saul. (1Sa.22.9-10).
Saul summoned Ahimelech and the other priests, accusing them of conspiring with David against him. Despite Ahimelech's defense of his actions, Saul ordered the execution of the priests. Doeg carried out the order, killing Ahimelech, along with eighty-four other priests who were from the family of Ahitub. (1Sa.22.11-19)
Only Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, escaped the massacre and fled to David, bringing with him the ephod. (1Sa.22.20-23) The tragedy that befell Ahitub's family highlights the tension between Saul and David and the consequences faced by those caught in the middle of their conflict.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Samuel 5 verses
- 1 Samuel 14:3
"including Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn’t know that Jonathan was gone."
- 1 Samuel 22:9
"Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub."
- 1 Samuel 22:11
"Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests who were in Nob; and they all came to the king."
- 1 Samuel 22:12
"Saul said, “Hear now, you son of Ahitub.” He answered, “Here I am, my lord.”"
- 1 Samuel 22:20
"One of the sons of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲחִיטוּב | H0285G |