BIBLE CHARACTER: Ahikam, the son of Shaphan

A man mentioned in just two Books…..

 

 

For some of the characters mentioned in the Bible, plenty of information is available and it is possible to learn a lot from their lives. For others, details are sparse and patchy, and yet the scant information provided opens up a subject that is worth investigating. Such is the case with Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, who is mentioned in two separate parts of God’s Word. We find his name in 2 Kings 22 as well as in Jeremiah’s book.

 

 

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

 

The meaning of a name can prove interesting, and Ahikam means brother of rising, or my brother has arisen. In Jeremiah 26:24 he is referred to as “the son of Shaphan” – a name meaning concealed and giving the idea of a rock-rabbit hiding away. If his father was in fact hidden, Ahikam by contrast was noticeable for certain actions of his which are described in Scripture.

 

As mentioned already, the first time his name is recorded in Scripture is in 2 Kings 22. Josiah had become king at the tender age of just eight years. “He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left” (22:2). Eighteen years later a significant event took place. King Josiah decided to renovate the temple of the LORD which was showing sad signs of neglect. During the renovation Hilkiah the high priest “found the book of the law in the house of the LORD” (22:8) and handed it to Shaphan the scribe who would have had a particular interest in it. Shaphan decided to inform the king of the discovery and read the scroll before the godly monarch who was greatly concerned by its contents (22:10,11).

 

Josiah felt convicted by the guilt of his people’s disobedience and knew that a prophet was needed now rather than a priest or a scribe. He ordered a delegation of five men to go to “Huldah the prophetess” (22:14) in order to ask whether God’s wrath was likely to fall upon the nation at that time. The five men were Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah one of king’s servants (22:12). Notice that a priest and a scribe featured in this delegation, along with a servant from the royal household, plus two other men. One of these was Achbor, and the other was Ahikam whom we are considering in this article.

 

 

INITIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

 

The fact that he is referred to as “the son of Shaphan” while “Shaphan the scribe” is mentioned separately have caused some to question whether there might not in fact be two by the name of Shaphan in this group – one being the priest, the other simply being named as Ahikam’s father. While we cannot settle this point with certainty, we can at least be sure that Ahikam was a trusted individual. He was also capable of working with others, which is an important and valuable trait. 

 

The prophetess Huldah confirmed the seriousness of the situation, and the five men “brought the king word again” (22:20). Judgment would fall in due time. In the book of Jeremiah we reach the period when that judgment began to fall.

 

 

A FURTHER INSIGHT

 

About twelve years later we read of Ahikam again in the early part of Jehoiakim’s reign (Jer.26:1). Jeremiah had warned of imminent judgment and had faced hostility from the priests and prophets, as well as from the people (26:8). In spite of the opposition, Jeremiah remained uncompromising: “Amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God” he ordered (26:13).Some of his listeners toned down their opposition and recalled how earlier prophets had not been put to death for their warnings, but danger remained for Jeremiah. A contemporary of his, Urijah the son of Shemaiah, faced death threats and fled for his life to Egypt only to be fetched back and slain before the king (26:20-23).  

 

Jeremiah might have experienced a similar fate had not Ahikam provided support. At this time of crisis he was a true friend to Jeremiah preventing the people from putting him to death (26:24). How he did this, we cannot be sure. However, Ahikam has set us a fine example of supporting and shielding one of the Lord’s messengers, and his name has not been erased from the pages of Holy Scripture.

 

 

AHIKAM’S SON

 

Some years later the name of Ahikam occurs again. In Jeremiah 39:14 we read of “Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan”. This clearly-expressed lineage indicates that we are considering the same individual, but this time the focus is on his son Gedaliah who later became governor of Judah.

 

Zedekiah (Judah’s last king) had been captured by the Babylonians and taken away from Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar, the cruel Babylonian ruler who would stop at nothing, showed uncharacteristic compassion for the prophet Jeremiah and commanded that he should be kept safe. The order was relayed from one official to another, and ultimately Jeremiah was committed to the care of Gedaliah who carried him home to Jerusalem (39:11-14). It is therefore interesting to see how Gedaliah followed in his father’s footsteps by providing ongoing support for the Old Testament prophet. Can we not say that his father Ahikam must have had some influence upon him?

 

“Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan” is also mentioned in Jeremiah 40:5 and is identified as “governor over the cities of Judah”. He was appointed to this position by the king of Babylon (41:18). It would appear that he had a more exalted position in society than his father, but his pedigree is not forgotten even though his father never aspired to be governor of the people. Gedaliah is repeatedly referred to as “the son of Shaphan” though he came to a sad end when he was slain by the sword of Ishmael the son of Nethaniah. It would seem that Gedaliah had been too trusting. Even after his untimely assassination, Gedaliah is still referred to as “the son of Ahikam” (41:6). His family connections could not be forgotten.

 

 

 

WHAT WE CAN REMEMBER

 

While Gedaliah’s untimely death is recorded in Scripture, we have no record of the passing of Ahikam. He occupied the middle generation of three. His father may have been a scribe, while his son became governor of Judah. Ahikam therefore had less status in society. However, there can be no doubt that he occupies a place in Scripture among those who did what they could (c.f. Mk. 14:8). He took the opportunity which presented itself and left a mark behind him. The Lord Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Lk.16:10). This is an important principle to remember.

 

In conclusion, what practical lessons can we learn from Ahikam? We have seen how he could be entrusted with responsibility and could work effectively with others. He shows us how important it is to support servants of the Lord who may exercise a greater influence than we do. He also nurtured a son who became a leader among God’s people. Perhaps Gedaliah’s promotion was largely because of the influence and example of his father, Ahikam. We never know what may result from a godly example.

 

Although Ahikam has passed from the scene, these brief records of his life remain and can inspire us also to be faithful to the Lord as He gives us opportunity.