Bible Dictionary
Chimham
Chimham was a son of Barzillai who returned with David after Absalom’s defeat. David appears to have granted him property near Bethlehem, later known as the habitation of Chimham.
Definition
Chimham was one of the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, or possibly his follower. He returned with David after Absalom’s defeat when Barzillai declined the invitation to remain with the king and sent Chimham in his place.
Biblical Usage
Chimham is associated with David’s return from beyond Jordan to Jerusalem and with the reward granted for loyalty to the king.
Historical Background
David appears to have granted Chimham a possession near Bethlehem. A later “habitation of Chimham” was probably an inn or khan, though the suggestion that Jesus was born in its stable is presented only as a supposition.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Pining, probably the youngest son of Barzillai the Gileadite (2 Sam. 19:37-40). The “habitation of Chimham” (Jer. 41:17) was probably an inn or khan, which is the proper meaning of the Hebrew geruth, rendered “habitation”, established in later times in his possession at Bethlehem, which David gave to him as a reward for his loyalty in accompanying him to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom (1 Kings 2:7). It has been supposed that, considering the stationary character of Eastern institutions, it was in the stable of this inn or caravanserai that our Saviour was born (Luke 2:7).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(longing), a follower and probably a son, of Barzillai the Gileadite, who returned from beyond Jordan with David. (2 Samuel 19:37,38,40) (B C 1023.) David appears to have bestowed on him a possession at Bethlehem, on which, in later times, an inn or khan was standing. (Jeremiah 41:17)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kim'-ham (kimham (2Sa 19:37,38) or kimhan (2Sa 19:40) or kemohem (Jer 41:17 Kt.); this reading, however, may probably be safely ignored): One of the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, who supported David while the latter was in exile in Mahanaim (2Sa 19:37). After the death of Absalom, Barzillai was invited to spend the remainder of his life with the king; but he refused, and sent his son Chimham in his stead. From the mention of "the habitation of Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem" (Jer 41:17 the King James Version), it has been inferred that Chimham received a grant of land from David's patrimony at Bethlehem, which retained his name for at least four centuries. It has been suggested that his name was probably Ahinoam ('achino`am).</p><p>Horace J. Wolf</p>