Chimham כִּמְהָם
Barzillai's son, accompanied David to Jerusalem
Who is Chimham in the Bible?
Chimham was the son of Barzillai the Gileadite, a wealthy supporter of King David during Absalom's rebellion. When David returned to Jerusalem after defeating Absalom, he invited the elderly Barzillai to accompany him as a reward for his loyalty and provision during the exile in Mahanaim. Since Barzillai declined due to his advanced age, he sent his son Chimham to go with David instead (2 Samuel 19:37-38). David showed great favor to Chimham and promised to care for him as he had cared for Barzillai, and Chimham proceeded with the king to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19:40). Chimham's willingness to serve David demonstrates the continuation of his father's loyalty and suggests he held an honored place in the king's court.
Biography
Chimham was the son of Barzillai the Gileadite, who was a wealthy man from Rogelim. During Absalom's rebellion against King David, Barzillai provided support for David and his followers when they fled from Jerusalem (2Sa.17.27-29). After Absalom's defeat, when David returned to Jerusalem, Barzillai accompanied him to the Jordan River. Due to his advanced age, Barzillai declined David's invitation to come with him to Jerusalem. Instead, he sent his son Chimham to go with the king (2Sa.19.37-38). David showed kindness to Chimham and promised to do for him whatever Barzillai requested (2Sa.19.38). Chimham then went on with David to Jerusalem (2Sa.19.40). This act of loyalty and the king's favor suggests that Chimham held a special place in David's court.
In Scripture
1 biblical book2 Samuel 3 verses
- 2 Samuel 19:37
"Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”"
- 2 Samuel 19:38
"The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.”"
- 2 Samuel 19:40
"Then the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Chimham crossed over with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | כִּמְהָם |
Chimham
:17 Kt.); this reading, however, may probably be safely ignored): One of the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, who supported David while the latter was in exile in Mahanaim (2Sa 19:37). After the death of Absalom, Barzillai was invited to spend the remainder of his life with the king; but he refused, and sent his son Chimham in his stead. From the mention of "the habitation of Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem" (Jer 41:17 the King James Version), it has been inferred that Chimham received a grant of land from David's patrimony at Bethlehem, which retained his name for at least four centuries. It has been suggested that his name was probably Ahinoam ('achino`am).
Horace J. Wolf
See HOUSE;
kin'-e-reth, kin'-e-roth (kinnereth (De 3:17; J