Ahijah (Ithamarite)

Ahiah or Ahijah ("Name means::brother of YHWH") (fl. ca. 2908 AM–ca. 2938 AM) was the ninth high priest of Israel and the first to serve as high priest in the United Kingdom of Israel.

Identity and family
Ahijah was the son of Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli. He was serving as high priest in the second full year of the reign of Saul. 

Some commentators insist that this Ahijah is the same man as Ahimelech I, the high priest who was summarily executed after he helped David to flee from Saul. However, he is more likely to be Ahimelech's older brother. The name Ahijah means brother of God, whereas the name Ahimelech means brother of the king.

Career
Ahijah is mentioned in connection with one incident: the unauthorized but victorious action of Jonathan against a Philistine garrison, and the subsequent trial of Jonathan for eating honey when Saul had made everyone swear not to eat anything until the Philistines were vanquished.