Chimham

Chimham is a young man who shows up because of a king’s thanks. When David returned across the Jordan after Absalom’s revolt, an old man named Barzillai, who had fed him in exile, declined to follow him to Jerusalem. In 2 Samuel 19:37 he offered his servant instead: “behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king.” David agreed, and Chimham went with him. Jeremiah 41:17 mentions a lodging place near Bethlehem that still carried his name long afterward. The story is a small picture of gratitude being passed on. Read 2 Samuel 19:31-40.

4 verses

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 19:37

Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.

2 Samuel 19:38

And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.

2 Samuel 19:40

Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 41:17

And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

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).

From Smith's Bible Dictionary

William Smith, 1884

(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)