Ahitub אֲחִיטוּב
Father of Ahimelech, High Priest at Nob killed by Saul
Who is Ahitub in the Bible?
Ahitub was a priest and the father of Ahimelech, who served as High Priest at Nob during King Saul's reign (1 Samuel 14:3, 22:11-12). As the grandson of the High Priest Eli, Ahitub came from an important priestly lineage, and his son Ahimelech continued this tradition of service. When David fled from Saul and sought refuge at Nob, Ahimelech provided him with consecrated bread and Goliath's sword, an act of compassion that would have tragic consequences (1 Samuel 21:1-9). After the servant Doeg reported this aid to Saul, the king executed Ahimelech and the priests of Nob, marking a dark moment in Israel's history when Saul's paranoia led to the destruction of an entire priestly community. Ahitub's family exemplifies the faithful priesthood that existed outside the royal court, even as they became victims of Saul's violent jealousy toward David.
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, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left."
- 1 Samuel 22:9
"But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob."
- 1 Samuel 22:11
"Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king."
- 1 Samuel 22:12
"“Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied."
- 1 Samuel 22:20
"But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲחִיטוּב |