Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail

One of King David’s wives, whom he married during his time of fleeing from Saul and staying in the wilderness of Judah. She was the mother of David’s firstborn son, Amnon, who lusted after and raped his half-sister Tamar, the daughter of Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.

Her origin is from the Calebite family, from the region south Judah. She is associated with the city of Jezreel, mentioned in the list of cities of Judah in Joshua 15:26.
She was part of David’s marital alliances with families in the Judah region, as indicated by Mazra’s research on creating connections with attributed families in that area (see “Canaan and Israel: Historical Research,” pp. 185-186).

Even in Zakovitch’s work, David’s marriages to Ahinoam the Jezreelitess serve to consolidate his influence and hold in the south and establish a covenant there (“David: From Shepherd to Sovereign,” pp. 113-114).

Ahinoam, along with David’s second wife Abigail and the men of Ziklag, were captured by the Amalekites during a raid on the city. David and his men rescued his wives and the captives.

A minority opinion suggests that Ahinoam the Jezreelitess could be Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz, the wife of Saul (mother of Jonathan, Ishvi, Malki-Shua, Merab, and Michal). David took her as a wife shortly after declaring himself Saul’s heir, effectively inheriting all of Saul’s wives, including Ahinoam, along with Saul’s daughter Michal. This is also hinted in the prophecy of Nathan the prophet to David: “And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your bosom” (2 Samuel 12:8). (Refer to works by Malul, Society, Law, and Customs in Israel during the Biblical Period and in Ancient Eastern Cultures,” page 219 and Ahuvah Ashman, note 96 on p. 249.)

Meaning of the Name:

‘Noam’ = A title of God, signifying He is my brother or in the direction of God’s instruction – He is good.