Lives of Scripture

Chimham appears at the close of Absalom's failed rebellion against his father David. Barzillai the Gileadite, an elderly and wealthy man, had provided for David and his men while David was a fugitive from Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27-29; 19:32). When David, restored as king, invited Barzillai to come live with him in Jerusalem, Barzillai declined because of his age -- eighty years old, with failing senses -- but asked David to let his son Chimham go in his place: "Here is your servant Chimham, let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight" (19:37, NASB). David agreed: "Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight; and whatever you require of me, I will do for you" (19:38). Chimham then crossed the Jordan with David and the people (19:40). Scripture records no further words or deeds of Chimham himself -- his significance lies entirely in being the beneficiary of his father's loyalty, taken into David's personal favor as a direct result of Barzillai's faithfulness. (A place near Bethlehem later called "Geruth Chimham," mentioned in Jeremiah 41:17, may preserve his name, though Scripture does not explain the connection.)