Who was Jerimoth in the Bible?

Jerimoth was a Benjamite warrior who joined David's band of followers while David was fleeing from King Saul. He was among the mighty men who came to David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:5).

Why is Jerimoth significant?

Jerimoth's significance lies in his loyalty, demonstrating the support David gathered from the tribe of Benjamin—King Saul's own tribe—during his exile. His story highlights God's providence in building David's future kingdom.

What key event was Jerimoth part of?

The key event in Jerimoth's life was joining David at Ziklag, a Philistine city where David found refuge. This event is recorded in the list of warriors who defected to David, strengthening his army (1 Chronicles 12:1-7).

Jerimoth

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleDavid's warrior

Jerimoth was a Benjamite warrior who joined David at Ziklag when he was fleeing from King Saul.

Jerimoth

Biography

Jerimoth was a Benjamite warrior who defected to David at Ziklag during the period when David was a fugitive from King Saul (1 Chronicles 12:5). The men who came to David at Ziklag were notable for their ambidextrous skill with bow and sling, able to hurl stones and shoot arrows with either hand, making them formidable soldiers. That Benjamites, members of Saul's own tribe, would risk their lives to join David demonstrated an extraordinary conviction about God's anointed king. Jerimoth's decision to cross tribal and political lines, leaving the security of loyalty to Saul's house, marked him as a man willing to align himself with God's chosen despite personal risk. His name is preserved among those who helped turn the tide toward David's kingship.

Significance

Jerimoth's defection from Saul's tribe to David's cause carries profound theological significance. Benjamin was Saul's own tribe, and joining David could be construed as treason, yet these warriors followed the leading of God's Spirit to support the rightful king. The chronicler notes that God's Spirit came upon Amasai, their spokesman, to declare loyalty to David (1 Chronicles 12:18), suggesting the entire movement was divinely directed. Jerimoth thus represents those who, at personal cost, discern and align with God's redemptive purposes even when it runs counter to tribal, political, or familial loyalty. His story anticipates the call to follow God's anointed above all earthly allegiances.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherDavidSpouseAbihailChildMahalath

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 12:5

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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