(Hebrew ebhyathar, Father of plenty, or, the great one is father).
Descendant of Achimelech, Achitob, Phinees, Heli, Ithamar, Aaron, a high priest who escaped from the slaughter at Nob, went to David in his banishment (1 Samuel 22:20-23; 23:6) and assisted him with his advice (1 Samuel 23:9-14; 30:7). Together with the high priest Sadoc, he assisted at the transportation of the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:11, 12), and tried to follow David in his flight (2 Samuel 15:24), but instead aided him by counsel (2 Samuel 15:29-36; 17:15 ff.; 19:11; 1 Chronicles 27:34). He favoured Adonias (1 Kings 1:7, 19, 25, 42), and was banished by Solomon to Anathoth (1 Kings 2:22-27), thus completing the ruin of the house of Ithamar (1 Samuel 2:30-36; 3:10-14). As to 2 Samuel 8:17, see Commentaries.