Who precisely was Ahinoam, the Jezreelite?

Exactly who was Ahinoam of Jezreel?

King David’s other wives included Ahinoam of Jezreel. He wed her after his first wife, Michal, was given away and before he met Abigail. Amnon, the eldest of David’s sons, had a mother named Ahinoam (2 Samuel 3:2). Jezreel is the name of a city in northern Israel as well as the region around it that includes Lower Galilee, Mount Carmel, and Mount Tabor. Ahinoam’s birthplace was the city of Jezreel.

During David’s time spent on the run from King Saul, he encountered Ahinoam. Some believe that David’s Ahinoam and Saul’s Ahinoam were the same person, given that both men had wives called Ahinoam (1 Samuel 14:49-50). It is theoretically feasible, but very improbable. David and Ahinoam were married when King Saul was still living.

As David was always on the go, fighting fights, and battling to remain alive, Ahinoam was there for him every step of the way. To hide from Saul, David went to Philistine country. King Achish of Gath graciously received David, his two wives Ahinoam and Abigail, and their 600 soldiers (1 Samuel 27:1–3). David afterwards requested a rural settlement for himself and his troops to settle in with their families; in response, Achish granted him Ziklag, which has been in Judahite hands ever since. David spent a total of one year and four months in Philistine land (1 Samuel 27:6–7).

And then disaster hit. Ziklag was invaded by Amalekite invaders while David and his fighting men were away with the Philistines in the north on a military mission. They destroyed the village and enslaved the women and children alike. None were murdered; instead, they were kidnapped and taken along on the journey (1 Samuel 30:1–2). Abigail and Ahinoam were among those who were taken prisoner. Because “every one was bitter in heart because of his sons and children,” David’s troops considered stoning him once he and his men returned to Ziklag and saw the devastation. However, it was the Lord God who gave David the strength he needed (1 Samuel 30:6).

David was successful in his pursuit of the Amalekite invaders with God’s help. David battled them from nightfall until the following day’s sunset. After defeating the Amalekites, David was able to reclaim his two wives and all of his possessions. There was not a single person, young or old, boy or female, or piece of loot that had gone missing. David has returned with all of the items (1 Samuel 30:17–19). Once again, Ahinoam was secure.

After Saul was killed, David prayed to the Lord for guidance and received the directive to return to Hebron. David took Ahinoam, a Jezreelite, and Abigail, the widow of Nabal, a Carmelite, with him. David also brought his troops and their families to Hebron and the surrounding cities. In response, Judah’s warriors traveled to Hebron to crown David king (2 Samuel 2:2–4). Ahinoam, once queen of Jezreel, was elevated to the throne of Judah on that day. In time, she gave birth to Amnon in Hebron.