AHIMAAZ, the Son of Zadok the High Priest. He succeeded his Father about the year 3000, under the reign of Solomon. He did David a very important piece of 2 Sam. xv. 17. & seq. xvii. 17. In the Year of the World 2981, before J. C. 1019. before the vulgar Æra 1023.service during the war with Absalom: For while his Father Zadok was in Jerusalem with Hushai the friend of David, Ahimaaz and Jonathan continued without the city, near the fountain Rogel; hither a maid-servant came, to tell them the resolution which had been taken in Absalom’s council; whereupon they immediately departed to give the King intelligence of it. But being discovered by a young lad who gave information of them to Absalom, he sent orders to pursue them. Ahimaaz and Jonathan fearing to be taken, retired to a Man’s house of Baharim, in whose Court-yard there was a well, in which they concealed themselves. Upon the mouth of this well the woman of the house spread a covering, and on the covering ground corn. When Absalom’s people came, they asked the woman where Ahimaaz was, and Jonathan? She answer’d, They took a little water, and went away in great haste. They therefore who were in pursuit of them not finding them, returned to Jerusalem. Then Ahimaaz and Jonathan getting out of the well, continued their journey, and came to David, telling him that no time was to be lost, and he was to pass over Jordan with all possible expedition.
After the battle which Joab and Abishai, David’s Generals, fought with Absalom, wherein this Prince was overcome and slain, Ahimaaz desired Joab’s leave to carry news hereof to David. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings because the King’s Son is dead. Then said 1 Sam. xxiii. 18, 19, 20. In the Year of the World 2981, before J. C. 1019, before the vulgar Æra 1023.Joab to Cushi, Go tell the King what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed and ran. Soon after this, Ahimaaz said again to Joab, Howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my Son, seeing thou hast no tidings ready? But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. And Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and out-ran Cushi. The Centinel who kept watch upon the roof over the gate, seeing one man alone coming, gave immediate notice of it to the King; who said, If he is alone, he brings some good news. And indeed, had his army been defeated, the people would have returned in crowds.
As therefore he was coming on with great haste, the Centinel saw a second running also, whereof giving notice from his station, the King said, He too is the bearer of good news. The Centinel added, The running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the Son of Zadock. And the King said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. Ahimaaz coming near, called and said unto the King, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the King, and said, Blessed be the Lord thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lift up their hand against my Lord the King. And the King said, Is the young Man Absalom safe? Ahimaaz out of prudence was unwilling to declare his death to him, and said only, When Joab thy servant sent me thy servant to thee, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. And the King said, Turn aside, and stand here. This is what we learn from History concerning Ahimaaz. He was succeeded in the 1 Chron. vi. 9.High-Priesthood by Azariah. The war between Absalom and David, whereof we have been speaking, began in the year of the world 2981. before J.C. 1019. before the vulgar Æra 1025.