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My [[Text:EBD:Father (EBD)|father]] a [[Text:EBD:King (EBD)|king]], or father of a king, a common name of the [[Text:EBD:Philistines (EBD)|Philistine]] kings, as "[[Text:EBD:Pharaoh (EBD)|Pharaoh]]" was of the Egyptian kings. (1.) The Philistine king of [[Text:EBD:Gerar (EBD)|Gerar]] in the time of [[Text:EBD:Abraham (EBD)|Abraham]] (Gen. 20:1-18). By an interposition of [[Text:EBD:Providence (EBD)|Providence]], [[Text:EBD:Sarah (EBD)|Sarah]] was delivered from his harem, and was restored to her [[Text:EBD: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 [[Text:EBD: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 [[Text:EBD: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 [[Text:EBD: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 [[Text:EBD:Oath (EBD)|oath]] at [[Text:EBD:Beersheba (EBD)|Beer-sheba]] (Gen. 21:22-34).

(2.) A king of Gerar in the time of [[Text:EBD:Isaac (EBD)|Issac]], probably the son of the preceeding (Gen. 26:1-22). Isaac sought refuge in his territory during a [[Text:EBD:Famine (EBD)|famine]], and there he acted a part with reference to his [[Text:EBD:Wife (EBD)|wife]] [[Text:EBD: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 [[Text:EBD:Covenant (EBD)|covenant]] which had been entered into between their fathers (Gen. 26:26-31).

(3.) A son of [[Text:EBD:Gideon (EBD)|Gideon]] (Judg. 9:1), who was proclaimed king after the [[Text:EBD:Death (EBD)|death]] of his father (Judg. 8:33-9:6). One of his first acts was to [[Text:EBD:Murder (EBD)|murder]] his [[Text:EBD:Brother (EBD)|brothers]], seventy in number, "on one stone," at [[Text:EBD:Ophrah (EBD)|Ophrah]]. Only one named [[Text:EBD:Jotham (EBD)|Jotham]] escaped. He was an unprincipled, ambitious ruler, often engaged in [[Text:EBD:War (EBD)|war]] with his own subjects. When engaged in reducing the town of [[Text:EBD:Thebez (EBD)|Thebez]], which had revolted, he was struck mortally on his head by a [[Text:EBD:Mill (EBD)|mill]]-stone, thrown by the [[Text:EBD:Hand (EBD)|hand]] of a woman from the [[Text:EBD:Wall (EBD)|wall]] above. Perceiving that the wound was mortal, he desired his [[Text:EBD:Armour-bearer (EBD)|armour-bearer]] to thrust him through with his [[Text:EBD: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 [[Text:EBD:Abiathar (EBD)|Abiathar]], and [[Text:EBD:High priest (EBD)|high priest]] in the time of [[Text:EBD: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.) [[Text:EBD:Achish (EBD)|Achish]], king of [[Text:EBD:Gath (EBD)|Gath]], in the title of Ps. 34. (Comp. 1 Sam. 21:10-15.)