Ahimelech

Ahimelech appears in the Hebrew Bible as a member of the hereditary Aaronic priesthood serving at the sanctuary of Nob during the reign of Saul, in the narrative context of David's flight from the king. Genealogically he is presented as a descendant of Aaron through Ithamar and as linked to the house of Eli; sources identify him as son of Ahitub and as father of Abiathar in some passages, though biblical textual tradition preserves variant genealogical attributions that later commentators have noted without definitive resolution. His role in the narrative is shaped by cultic office and the political conflict between Saul and David (chiefly 1 Samuel 21–22).

The supplied sources provide no physical description of Ahimelech. Biblical references identify him by office (priest at Nob), genealogy (descendant of Aaron, connected to Eli/Ithamar), and actions (providing showbread, officiating duties), but the texts cited do not describe his bodily appearance, clothing, or distinctive marks.

No supernatural abilities are ascribed to Ahimelech in the referenced materials; his capacities are those of a hereditary Israelite priest. He officiates at Nob, performs cultic duties implied by his office (including provision of the showbread), and exercises priestly functions within the sanctuary. Narrative actions attributed to him include giving David and his men five loaves of the showbread (1 Samuel 21:1–9) and interacting with the royal court, which results in his being summoned and accused by Saul on information from Doeg the Edomite (1 Samuel 22).