Lexical Summary
Kimham: Kimham
Original Word:כִּמְהָם
Part of Speech:proper name, masculine ; noun, of location
Transliteration:Kimham
Pronunciation:kim-HAM
Phonetic Spelling:(kim-hawm')
KJV: Chimham
NASB:Chimham
Word Origin:[fromH3642 (כָּמַהּ - yearns)]
1. pining
2. Kimham, an Israelite
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Chimham
Fromkamahh; pining; Kimham, an Israelite -- Chimham.
see HEBREWkamahh
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
kamahDefinitionan attendant of David, also a place near Bethlehem
NASB TranslationChimham (4).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
2 Samuel 19:38;
2 Samuel 19:39 = v.2 Samuel 19:41; in all ,
L . in
Jeremiah 41:17 Qr (Kt ), compare above
2 Samuel 19:41, see foregoing.
see . see below p.455 above
Jeremiah 41:17 Kt, see .
Topical Lexicon
Identity and Family BackgroundChimham (כִּמְהָם) was the son of Barzillai the Gileadite, a wealthy and godly supporter of King David during the monarch’s exile in Mahanaim. His father’s loyalty to the anointed king at personal cost placed Chimham within a family renowned for covenant faithfulness and generosity (2 Samuel 19:32).
Scriptural Occurrences
1.2 Samuel 19:37 ‒ Barzillai presents Chimham to David as his substitute for royal favor: “Here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you”.
2.2 Samuel 19:38 ‒ David gladly accepts the proposal, promising: “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you.”
3.2 Samuel 19:40 ‒ Chimham accompanies David to Gilgal amid the procession of Judah and half of Israel, visibly identifying himself with the restored kingdom.
Historical Setting
These verses occur during David’s return from exile after Absalom’s rebellion. Barzillai, though aged, had supplied the king’s retinue (2 Samuel 17:27-29). When David offered a place at court in gratitude, Barzillai declined because of advanced age but requested the privilege for Chimham. The exchange illustrates Near-Eastern patronage: a benefactor is honored through the advancement of his household, ensuring ongoing relational bonds between the throne and loyal subjects.
Hospitality Recompensed
Barzillai’s hospitality receives a tangible, generational reward. By welcoming the king in hardship, he secured lasting blessings for his lineage (compareProverbs 27:10;Hebrews 13:2). Chimham becomes the living pledge that David’s gratitude is not short-lived and that covenant kindness (חֶסֶד, ḥesed) extends beyond a single act.
Possible Later Legacy
Jeremiah 41:17 mentions “Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem,” a lodging place whose name likely commemorates Chimham. Although the proper noun there is associated with a different Strong’s index, its appearance supports the historical tradition that David granted Chimham an estate near Bethlehem, the king’s hometown. Such a grant would align with David’s promise, provide permanent income for Barzillai’s house, and explain the site’s continued memory centuries later.
Ministry and Spiritual Lessons
• Faithful service to God’s anointed invites enduring reward. Barzillai’s kindness is mirrored in Chimham’s elevation (Matthew 10:41-42).
• God-honoring parents secure blessings for their children (Psalm 112:2). Chimham benefits directly from his father’s piety.
• Succession in service matters. Barzillai recognized his physical limitations and released the next generation to stand with the king (2 Timothy 2:2).
• Gratitude is a royal virtue. David’s public acceptance of Chimham testifies to integrity in leadership and anticipates the Messianic King who remembers every act of love done to His brethren (Matthew 25:40).
Theological Reflection
Chimham’s story, though brief, underscores the reliability of divine promises mediated through David’s line. The narrative foreshadows the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ, who welcomes those presented to Him and secures for them a place in His kingdom (John 14:2-3). Thus, a seemingly minor figure becomes a witness to the covenant faithfulness that threads through Scripture.
Forms and Transliterations
וְכִמְהָ֖ן וכמהן כִּמְהָ֔ם כִמְהָ֗ם כמהם chimHam kim·hām ḵim·hām kimHam kimhām ḵimhām vechimHan wə·ḵim·hān wəḵimhān
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