2 Samuel 8:17

Zadok the son of Ahitub Zadok was of the house of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:4-8). He joined David at Hebron after Saul's death (1 Chronicles 12:28), and remained faithful to him throughout his reign. In Absalom's rebellion he left Jerusalem along with David, and only returned at his command (2 Samuel 15:24-29; 2 Samuel 17:15). Through him David communicated with the elders of Judah concerning his return (ch. 2 Samuel 19:11). Finally, when Abiathar joined the rebellion of Adonijah, Zadok remained faithful to David, took part in the anointing of Solomon, and was made sole high-priest (1 Kings 1:8; 1 Kings 1:44; 1 Kings 2:35), which office he held during some part of Solomon's reign (1 Kings 4:4).

Ahimelech the son of Abiathar Since Zadok and Abiathar are elsewhere constantly mentioned together as the high-priests in David's reign, and it is clear from 1 Samuel 22:20-23 that Abiathar was the son of Ahimelech, and from 1 Kings 1; 1 Kings 2:26 that he held office throughout David's reign, it seems necessary to emend the text and read Abiathar the son of Ahimelech. The error, if it is one, appears also in 1 Chronicles 18:16; 1 Chronicles 24:3; 1Ch 24:6; 1 Chronicles 24:31, and must have existed in one of the original documents from which these books were compiled. It seems hardly probable, though not impossible, that the high-priesthood of Abiathar is assumed as known, and only the assistant priests mentioned, who stood in the same relation to him as Hophni and Phinehas to Eli (1 Samuel 1:3): or that Ahimelech officiated for a time as deputy for his father, who was incapacitated by illness or other cause.

priests Zadok officiated in the Tabernacle at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39), Abiathar probably before the Ark in Jerusalem. On the origin of this double high-priesthood, see preliminary note to ch. vi., p. 88.

Seraiah Called in 1 Chronicles 18:16 Shavsha, and probably the same as Shevaor Sheya(2 Samuel 20:25) and Shisha(1 Kings 4:3).

scribe Secretary of state: an official mentioned several times in the course of the history: e.g. 2 Kings 12:10; 2Ki 18:18; 2 Kings 18:37; 2 Kings 22:3, &c.