Who was Ahimaaz in the Bible?

Son of Zadok the priest. 2 Sam. 15:27, 36. When Absalom revolted and David had to flee from Jerusalem, Zadok continuing true to David, returned to the city, and Ahimaaz, and Jonathan son of Abiathar, remained at En-rogel; to whom Zadok sent word of the counsel of Ahithophel and of Hushai by a 'wench,' and they hastened to David with the news. But a lad having seen the transaction, messengers were sent in pursuit. The spies however reached a house in Bahurim, and were hid in a well, corn being spread over the covering. Their pursuers were told that they had gone on their way. So they having searched for them in vain returned to Jerusalem. The spies then hastened to David, and reached him in safety. 2 Sam. 17:17-21. On the defeat and death of Absalom, Ahimaaz begged that he might run with the news to David. Joab at first refused; but after Cushi had started, he allowed Ahimaaz to go also; who, being swift of foot, reached David first and told him of the defeat of Absalom, but let Cushi tell of his death. 2 Sam. 18:19-29. We have no evidence of Ahimaaz succeeding to the priesthood. He may have died before his father.

News of the battle against Absalom must be sent to David. Ahimaaz the son of Zadok the priest was eager to bear the message, but Joab knew him to be a tender-hearted man, and that he would not want to tell David of the death of Absalom. Therefore Joab chose another man, the Cushite, to do so. He immediately began his long run. But Ahimaaz was anxious to give good news to David, and urged Joab to also let him run. 0 course this was not necessary, but at the persistence of Ahiumaaz, Joab gave him permission (v.23). Apparently the Cushite had taken a mountain trail, which would be rugged, though possibly shorter than by way of the plain, which Ahimaaz chose. This would at least be easier running, and the speed of Ahimaaz was such as to out-distance the Cushite.

David was waiting anxiously for news, sitting between the gates of the city. As the watchman saw a man running alone, David knew that he was bringing news. As he came nearer the watchman saw another following. Then the watchman discerned the first to be Ahimaaz, and David; knowing the man, expected him to bring good news.

Indeed, Ahimaaz was so anxious to set the king's mind at rest that he called out "All is well." Then he gives God the honor for having delivered up the man who had raised revolt against David. Of course, David would know by this that the victory was decisive. However, his greatest concern was for his son, and he asks, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" Ahimaaz knew he had been killed, but was afraid to tell David this, so he rather told him that he had seen a great tumult, but did not know anything of its outcome. In other words, the goodness of the character of Ahimaaz influenced him to compromise the faithfulness of the message.

The Cushite, closely following, also first gave David the good news of the victory of his armies, but at David's questioning as to Absalom, he told him, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against you to do you harm, be as that young man is!" No doubt this way of speaking was just as considerate as can be expected in telling the truth of the matter.

When all was clear, Jonathan and Ahimaaz came up out of the well and made their way to David, who by this time had descended to the Jordan valley. They urged him to cross over the Jordan, for Ahithophel had counselled immediate pursuit and the killing of David. But Hushai's counsel had delayed this, therefore there was time for David to cross over if Absalom and his men had immediately pursued, they might have caught them as they were crossing the river and therefore would be unable to conceal themselves. They took advantage of the respite therefore, and all had crossed over the river by daylight of the following morning.

An equal honour is granted to Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, faithful to David at the risk of his life, and concerning whom the old king had given this testimony: "He is a good man, and comes with good tidings." He was the first to announce to David the victory which restored his throne to him and assured him of inheriting it according to God.

Israel is completely overthrown and flees before victorious Judah. Ahimaaz wants to be the first to bring the good news to David. He had risked his life to warn him of impending danger. Now he does not want to let another have the privilege of announcing his triumph to the king. Joab, always politically shrewd and knowing the king's feelings toward Absalom, tries to discourage him, but in vain. It matters little to Ahimaaz whether this may hurt him personally or hinder his career; he does not share Joab's politics. Whatever may come of it, he desires to be the first, bowed before the king, to acknowledge the dignity that again is his. This is the focus of all his energy, for he belongs to David wholeheartedly. Perhaps he also is thinking of breaking and softening the blow that Absalom's death will inflict on his beloved master's heart. One thing is certain: he has only David's glory in view. May we run like Ahimaaz! May we run to be the first at the feet of our victorious Lord, permitting no one to outstrip us!

When the Cushite announces the fatal news David's heart is broken with unconsolable sorrow: “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died in thy stead, O Absalom, my son, my son! (v. 33).

Son of Ahimaaz and grandson of Zadok. 1 Chr. 6:9.

Son of Johanan, descendant of Zadok, apparently the first high priest who ministered in Solomon's temple. 1 Chr. 6:10-11.

Azariah is the first official mentioned. He is said to be the son of Zadok the priest (v.2), which likely means he was the grandson, that is, probably the direct son of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok (1 Chron.6:9). It is good to see the priest mentioned first, then the scribes and the recorder before the officers of the army, but again the two priests, Zadok and Abiathar (v.4), showing that the relationship of the kingdom to the Lord was paramount. Yet the armed forces were necessary, as is true in Christianity if we are to "fight the good fight of faith," and the household is not to be neglected either, as is true in "the house of God" today (Eph. 2:19). Though last mentioned, the labor force is very necessary in its place. It does not have the prominent place, as priesthood does, but we should be content to labor for the Lord without having undue attention directed toward ourselves, for the Lord will reward all labor for Himself in a coming day.

David had already arranged that Ahimaaz and Jonathan could bring secret intelligence from the priests, so he tells Hushai to use them in order to give David information. Naturally speaking, David was able to make well grounded plans in the very short time he had. Hushai then returned to Jerusalem, and in a short time Absalom with all his retinue walked in to take possession of the city without any resistance.

Hushai then gave information to Zadok and Abiathar as to the counsel of Ahithophel and his contrary counsel, so that David would be urged to put as much distance as he could between his company and Absalom, rather than hiding in a nearby proximity. The message then was to be relayed to Jonathan and Ahimaaz by a girl. No doubt this was considered safer than using a man. Jonathan and Ahimaaz had remained outside the city to avoid any kind of suspicion (v.17). However, a boy saw them as they started on their way to meet David, and he told Absalom.

The fragrance of service pervades this entire chapter. Everyone cooperates in this activity in order give their master his rightful place, a place the wicked have taken away. Hushai, David's friend, is the first to face danger, but also the first instrument of victory. The priests are his first confidants. Their sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, carry the message that is to save David and his band. A simple obscure servant girl (v. 17) is used to forward it to them. The woman of Bahurim is equally obscure and as seldom mentioned as the Mary of Matthew 26:6-13; she is just as deferential as Mary in the sphere that God has entrusted to her responsibility as a woman keeping her home. She renders service to the messengers and arranges a hiding place for them that the enemy is unable to discover. Though it has the two messengers as its immediate object her service is a “good work” on behalf of David. In this scene there is an uninterrupted chain of service working together toward a common goal. Had one link been missing David would become Absalom's prey. The poor servant girl's devotion is just as valuable to the king as Hushai's lovely disinterestedness. None is to be despised and the most humble will perhaps have the best place when it shall be said: “This one and that one was born in her” (Ps. 87:5). “Wheresoever these glad tidings may be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her,” says the Lord (Matt. 26:13).