Zadok son of Ahitub
The name "Zadok" is derived from the Hebrew root "tsadaq," meaning "righteous" or "just." Zadok's lineage as the son of Ahitub places him within the priestly line of Aaron, specifically from the line of Eleazar. Historically, Zadok's role as a priest during King David's reign signifies a period of religious consolidation and reform. His righteousness and loyalty to David are later rewarded when he becomes the high priest under Solomon, symbolizing the enduring covenant between God and the house of David.

Ahimelech son of Abiathar
The mention of "Ahimelech" here is intriguing, as it may refer to a textual variation or a scribal tradition. In the broader biblical narrative, Abiathar is a priest who initially supported David during his flight from Saul. The name "Ahimelech" means "my brother is king," which could reflect the close relationship between the priesthood and the monarchy. This connection underscores the integral role of the priesthood in supporting and legitimizing the Davidic dynasty, emphasizing the divine approval of David's kingship.

were priests
The Hebrew term for "priests" is "kohanim," which denotes those set apart for sacred duties. The priesthood in Israel was not merely a religious office but a vital component of the nation's identity and governance. Priests served as mediators between God and the people, offering sacrifices and maintaining the sanctity of worship. In the context of David's reign, the presence of Zadok and Ahimelech as priests highlights the centrality of worship and adherence to the Mosaic Law as foundational to the kingdom's success and divine favor.

Seraiah was the scribe
The role of "scribe," or "sofer" in Hebrew, was crucial in the administration of the kingdom. Scribes were responsible for recording official documents, maintaining royal archives, and ensuring the accurate transmission of legal and religious texts. Seraiah's position as a scribe under David indicates the importance of literacy and record-keeping in the establishment of a stable and just society. This role also reflects the broader biblical theme of the power of the written word in preserving God's covenant and guiding His people.

(17) Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar.--So Ahimelech is also described in 1Chronicles 18:16; 1Chronicles 24:6; on the other hand, Abiathar is expressly said to be the son of Ahimelech in the narrative in 1Samuel 22:20-23. This difficulty is increased by the further notices of the men bearing these names. Ahimelech was certainly the high priest who gave the shew-bread to David, and was slain in consequence by Saul (1 Samuel 21, 22), and Abiathar, who fled to David, and afterwards became high priest, and was finally put out of the high-priesthood by Solomon (1 Kings 1, 2) was certainly his son; but, on the other hand, in 1Chronicles 24:3; 1Chronicles 24:6; 1Chronicles 24:31 Ahimelech. is said to have been the co-priest with Zadok during the reign of David, and our Lord says that David ate the shew-bread "in the days of Abiathar, the high priest" (Mark 2:26). These apparently conflicting facts have occasioned unnecessary perplexity. The simple solution of the difficulty seems to be that both names were borne alike by father and by son, so that both of them are spoken of sometimes under one name, sometimes under the other. . . . Verse 17. - Zadok... and Ahimelech... were the priests. We have already seen that this was contrary to the letter of the Mosaic Law, and yet that there was no schism, and that by patience matters came back to the right groove. Zadok, of the elder line of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:4-8, 50-53), was high priest at Gibeon, and Ahimelech, of the junior line of Ithamar, was the high priest at Jerusalem. Instead of Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, the Syriac transposes the names, and reads, "Abiathar the son of Ahimelech" This agrees with the list in 2 Samuel 20:25, and it is certain that Abiathar outlived David (1 Kings 2:26), and that he was David's high priest throughout his reign, though Zadok is not only constantly associated with him, but is placed first, as the man of higher rank (2 Samuel 15:24-35; 2 Samuel 17:15; 2 Samuel 19:11; 2 Samuel 20:25). It is also remarkable that our Lord makes Abiathar the person who gave David the shewbread (Mark 2:26), whereas in 1 Samuel 21. he is repeatedly called Ahimelech. As both the LXX. and the Vulgate support the Hebrew against the Syriac, and as the reading "Ahimelech" is confirmed by 1 Chronicles 18:16 and 1 Chron 24:3, 6, 31, we must reject the emendation of the Syriac, and conclude that there was a double tradition respecting these names, some manuscripts making Abiathar the father, and others giving the seniority to Ahimelech. Our Lord made Abiathar the father, but the scribes, in their editing of the Hebrew text, gave that place to Ahimelech, yet did not carry out their restoration so thoroughly as not to leave proof that the names probably ought to be reversed. Seraiah was scribe. His office was similar to that of a secretary of state with us. For Seraiah we have Shavsha in 1 Chronicles 18:16, Shisha in 1 Kings 4:3, and Sheva in 2 Samuel 20:25. This illustrates what has just been said as to the uncertainty about proper names. They are always most difficult to read, as the sense gives no aid, and these various forms of a name that does not occur elsewhere really bear witness to the high antiquity of the manuscripts uses by the scribes in settling the text of the Old Testament; and also to their self-restraint in not making them all forcibly agree.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Zadok
וְצָד֧וֹק (wə·ṣā·ḏō·wq)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6659: Zadok -- the name of several Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahitub
אֲחִיט֛וּב (’ă·ḥî·ṭūḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 285: Ahitub -- 'my brother is goodness', two Israelites

and Ahimelech
וַאֲחִימֶ֥לֶךְ (wa·’ă·ḥî·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 288: Ahimelech -- 'brother of a king', an Israelite name, also a Hittite name

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Abiathar
אֶבְיָתָ֖ר (’eḇ·yā·ṯār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 54: Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest

were priests;
כֹּהֲנִ֑ים (kō·hă·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

Seraiah
וּשְׂרָיָ֖ה (ū·śə·rā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8304: Seraiah -- 'Yah persists', the name of a number of Israelites

was the scribe;
סוֹפֵֽר׃ (sō·w·p̄êr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate


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OT History: 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)