Son of Zadok – Runner and Messenger for King David
Also known as: Achimaas, Ahimaaz
The united kingdomMessengerRunnerIntelligence courierSon of a priestStewardc. 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 was stationed at the spring En-Rogel outside Jerusalem, where the two served as courageous intelligence couriers who relayed vital messages from David's counselor Hushai to the fleeing king. When they were discovered by Absalom's men, a woman in Bahurim saved them by hiding them in a well and misleading their pursuers. Ahimaaz was also known for his exceptional speed as a runner. After the decisive battle where Absalom fell, he insisted on bringing the news to David, chose an alternative route through the Jordan Valley, and passed the first messenger, Cushite. His conduct when he reached the king demonstrated both courage and wisdom: he delivered the message of victory but tactfully refrained from telling David directly about his son's death, leaving that heavy news to the Cushite. A person with the same name is later mentioned as one of King Solomon's twelve district governors responsible for Naphtali, married to the king's daughter Basemath—an identification that is plausible but uncertain.
Ahimaaz and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, were stationed at En-Rogel to receive intelligence from Hushai and bring it to David during Absalom's rebellion.
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.
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 ran to David and conveyed the crucial counsel that he must cross the Jordan immediately, based on Hushai's intelligence regarding Ahithophel's battle plan.
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."
Ran as a messenger after the battle against Absalom
After Absalom was killed by Joab, Ahimaaz asked permission to run with the message to David. Joab first sent the Cushite, but Ahimaaz insisted and finally received approval. He took another route through the Jordan Valley and arrived first.
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."
Ahimaaz reached David before the Cushite and reported the victory, but avoided telling him directly about Absalom's death. When David asked if Absalom was safe, Ahimaaz evasively replied that he had seen a great commotion but did not know what it meant. In this way, he spared the grieving father's heart—at least for a moment.
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."
An Ahimaaz is mentioned as one of Solomon's twelve district governors, married to Solomon's daughter Basemath, with responsibility for the Naphtali region. Identifying him as Zadok's son is plausible but not certain.