Das vereinte KönigreichPriest's sonMessengerSpyRunnerc. 1000 BC
Ahimaaz, son of the high priest Zadok, played a crucial role during Absalom's rebellion against King David.
Together with Jonathan, son of Abiathar, he formed a central part of David's intelligence network.
The two were stationed at En-Rogel outside Jerusalem to receive strategic information from Hushai, David's advisor who operated as a double agent in Absalom's court.
After a dramatic escape where they were hidden in a well in Bahurim, they reached David with the life-saving message to cross the Jordan without delay.
Ahimaaz also distinguished himself after the victory over Absalom's army by insisting on running to David with news of the triumph, despite Joab's objections.
He showed both physical endurance and diplomatic wisdom — he told David about the victory but refrained from revealing Absalom's death.
In the priestly lineage, he is regarded as the father of Azariah, and thus belongs to the Zadokite priestly line that played a prominent role in temple service in Jerusalem.
It is also possible that he is identical with the Ahimaaz mentioned as one of Solomon's district governors over the territory of Naphtali.
Ahimaaz and Jonathan, son of Abiathar, were stationed at En-Rogel outside Jerusalem to receive intelligence from Hushai and pass it on to David, who had fled the city during Absalom's rebellion.
27The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Listen: go back to the city in peace, and take with you your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan son of Abiathar—your two sons.
17Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En-rogel, and a servant girl would go and bring them word, and they would go and report to King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city.
When Absalom's servants searched for Ahimaaz and Jonathan, they were hidden in a well by a woman in Bahurim, who covered the well with a cloth and scattered grain over it so that the pursuers did not find them.
18But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them hurried away and came to the house of a man in Bahurim who had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.
20When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman answered, "They have crossed the stream." The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.
21After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went and reported to King David. They said to him, "Get up and cross the water quickly, for this is what Ahithophel has advised against you."
After escaping their pursuers, Ahimaaz and Jonathan brought the vital message to David that he must cross the Jordan immediately, since Ahithophel had advised Absalom to pursue him at once.
21After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went and reported to King David. They said to him, "Get up and cross the water quickly, for this is what Ahithophel has advised against you."
After the victory over Absalom's forces, Ahimaaz insisted on running to David with the news, despite Joab's attempt to stop him. He ran via the Jordan Valley and arrived before the Cushite whom Joab had sent.
22Ahimaaz son of Zadok pressed Joab again: "Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite." Joab said, "Why do you want to run, my son? You have no news that will bring you a reward."
When Ahimaaz reached David, he reported the victory but tactfully omitted telling about Absalom's death. The watchman had already recognized him by his running style. It was the Cushite who then brought the painful news of Absalom's fall.
26Then the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper, "Look, another man is running alone!" The king said, "He too is bringing news."
28Ahimaaz called out to the king, "All is well!" He bowed before the king with his face to the ground and said, "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has handed over the men who raised their hands against my lord the king."
29The king asked, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" Ahimaaz answered, "I saw a great commotion when the king's servant Joab sent me, your servant, but I do not know what it was."
31Then the Cushite arrived and said, "Let my lord the king hear the good news: today the LORD has vindicated you and freed you from the hand of all who rose up against you."
32The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rose up against you to do you harm, be like that young man."
Possible identification as Solomon's district governor
An Ahimaaz is mentioned as one of King Solomon's twelve district governors, married to Solomon's daughter Basemath and responsible for the Naphtali region. It is debated whether this is the same Ahimaaz as Zadok's son.