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

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

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