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My [[Father (EBD)|father ]] a [[King (EBD)|king]], or father of a king, a common name of the [[Philistines (EBD)|Philistine ]] kings, as "[[Pharaoh (EBD)|Pharaoh]]" was of the Egyptian kings. (1.) The Philistine king of [[Gerar (EBD)|Gerar]] in the time of [[Abraham (EBD)|Abraham ]] (Gen. 20:1-18). By an interposition of [[Providence (EBD)|Providence]], [[Sarah (EBD)|Sarah]] was delivered from his harem, and was restored to her [[Husband (EBD)|husband ]] Abraham. As a mark of respect he gave to Abraham valuable gifts, and offered him a settlement in any part of his country; while at the same time he delicately and yet severely rebuked him for having practised a deception upon him in pretending that Sarah was only his sister. Among the gifts presented by the king were a thousand pieces of [[Silver (EBD)|silver ]] as a "covering of the eyes" for Sarah; i.e., either as an atoning gift and a testimony of her innocence in the sight of all, or rather for the purpose of procuring a [[Veil, vail (EBD)|veil ]] for Sarah to conceal her beauty, and thus as a reproof to her for not having worn a veil which, as a married [[Woman (EBD)|woman]], she ought to have done. A few years after this Abimelech visited Abraham, who had removed southward beyond his territory, and there entered into a league of peace and friendship with him. This league was the first of which we have any record. It was confirmed by a mutual [[Oath (EBD)|oath ]] at [[Beersheba (EBD)|Beer-sheba ]] (Gen. 21:22-34).

(2.) A king of Gerar in the time of [[Isaac(EBD)|Issac]], probably the son of the preceeding (Gen. 26:1-22). Isaac sought refuge in his territory during a [[Famine (EBD)|famine]], and there he acted a part with reference to his [[Wife (EBD)|wife ]] [[Rebekah (EBD)|Rebekah]] similar to that of his father Abraham with reference to Sarah. Abimelech rebuked him for the deception, which he accidentally discovered. Isaac settled for a while here, and prospered. Abimelech desired him, however, to leave his territory, which Isaac did. Abimelech afterwards visited him when he was encamped at Beer-sheba, and expressed a desire to renew the [[Covenant (EBD)|covenant ]] which had been entered into between their fathers (Gen. 26:26-31).

(3.) A son of [[Gideon (EBD)|Gideon]] (Judg. 9:1), who was proclaimed king after the [[Death (EBD)|death ]] of his father (Judg. 8:33-9:6). One of his first acts was to [[Murder (EBD)|murder ]] his [[Brother (EBD)|brothers]], seventy in number, "on one stone," at [[Ophrah (EBD)|Ophrah]]. Only one named [[Jotham (EBD)|Jotham ]] escaped. He was an unprincipled, ambitious ruler, often engaged in [[War (EBD)|war ]] with his own subjects. When engaged in reducing the town of [[Thebez (EBD)|Thebez]], which had revolted, he was struck mortally on his head by a [[Mill (EBD)|mill]]-stone, thrown by the [[Hand (EBD)|hand ]] of a woman from the [[Wall (EBD)|wall ]] above. Perceiving that the wound was mortal, he desired his [[Armour-bearer (EBD)|armour-bearer ]] to thrust him through with his [[Sword (EBD)|sword]], that it might not be said he had perished by the hand of a woman (Judg. 9:50-57).

(4.) The son of [[Abiathar(EBD)|Abiathar]], and [[High priest (EBD)|high priest ]] in the time of [[David (EBD)|David]] (1 Chr. 18:16). In the parallel passage, 2 Sam. 8:17, we have the name Ahimelech, and Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech. This most authorities consider the more correct reading. (5.) [[Achish (EBD)|Achish]], king of [[Gath (EBD)|Gath]], in the title of Ps. 34. (Comp. 1 Sam. 21:10-15.)