Ahimelech was the son of Ahitub (1 Samuel 22:9), the brother of Ahijah, Saul’s chaplain (1 Samuel 14:1–52), and the great-grandson of Eli. He was the father of Abiathar (1 Samuel 22:20; 1 Samuel 23:6; 1 Samuel 30:7).1 The fact that he is identified as the priest suggests that he served as the chief priest or high priest at the time.
1 Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David trembling and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?”