Zeruiah is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known primarily as the mother of three of King David's most notable military leaders: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Her name is mentioned frequently in the context of her sons' exploits and their close association with David, the second king of Israel. Zeruiah's lineage and her sons' actions significantly impacted the history of Israel during David's reign.

Family Background and Lineage

Zeruiah was the sister of David, making her a daughter of Jesse, the Bethlehemite. This familial connection places her within the tribe of Judah, a tribe that held a central role in the history of Israel. Although the Bible does not provide extensive details about Zeruiah's own life or her husband, her identity is primarily established through her sons, who are often referred to as "sons of Zeruiah" (e.g., 2 Samuel 2:18).

Sons of Zeruiah

1. Joab: Joab, the eldest son of Zeruiah, served as the commander of David's army. He was a formidable warrior and a shrewd military strategist. Joab played a crucial role in many of David's military campaigns, including the capture of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 11:6) and the defeat of Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 18:14-15). Despite his loyalty to David, Joab's actions were sometimes ruthless and politically motivated, leading to tension between him and the king.

2. Abishai: Abishai, another of Zeruiah's sons, was known for his bravery and loyalty to David. He accompanied David on several dangerous missions, including the daring night raid into Saul's camp (1 Samuel 26:6-9). Abishai also played a significant role in battles against the Philistines and other enemies of Israel (2 Samuel 21:17).

3. Asahel: Asahel, the youngest son, was noted for his swiftness and agility. He met his untimely death at the hands of Abner, the commander of Saul's army, during the battle at Gibeon (2 Samuel 2:18-23). Asahel's death sparked a prolonged blood feud between Joab and Abner, which had lasting implications for the political landscape of Israel.

Zeruiah's Influence and Legacy

While Zeruiah herself is not the central focus of the biblical narrative, her influence is evident through her sons' actions and their close association with King David. The repeated mention of her name in connection with her sons underscores her significance in the royal family of Judah. The "sons of Zeruiah" were instrumental in establishing and maintaining David's rule over Israel, often acting as his enforcers and protectors.

Zeruiah's legacy is intertwined with the turbulent and dynamic period of David's reign, marked by military conquests, internal strife, and the consolidation of the kingdom of Israel. Her sons' loyalty and military prowess contributed to David's success as a king, despite the moral and ethical complexities that sometimes accompanied their actions.Zeruiah

pain or tribulation of the Lord

Zeruiah

(balsam), the mother of the three leading heroes of David's army --Abishai, Joah and Asahel-- known as the "sons of Zeruiah." Of Zeruiah's husband there is no mention in the Bible. (B.C. before 1046.)

Zeruiah

Sister of David, and mother of his famous generals, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, 1 Chronicles 2:16. Her husband is unknown.

Stricken of the Lord, David's sister, and the mother of Abishai, Joab, and Asahel (1 Chronicles 2:16), who were the three leading heroes of David's army, and being his nephews, they were admitted to the closest companionship with him. ZERUIAH

ze-roo-i'-a, ze-roo'-ya (tseruyah, tseruyah (2 Samuel 14:1; 2 Samuel 16:10), meaning uncertain; Sarouia): In 2 Samuel 2:18; 2 Samuel 17:25 1 Chronicles 2:16, and elsewhere where the names Joab, Abishai, occur. According to 1 Chronicles 2:16 a sister of David and mother of Joab, Abishai and Asahel, the two former being always referred to as sons of Zeruiah. This latter fact is explained by some as pointing to a type of marriage by which the children belonged to their mother's clan (compare Abimelech, Judges 8:31; Judges 9:1;); by others as being due to her husband's early death; and again as a proof of the mother in this case being the stronger personality. Either of the last two reasons may be the correct one, and plenty of parallels from the village names of boys today can be produced to illustrate both explanations. According to 2 Samuel 2:32, her husband was buried at Bethlehem. In 2 Samuel 17:25, "Abigal the daughter of Nahash" is said to be her sister.

See ABIGAIL.

David Francis Roberts

6870. Tseruyah -- an Israelite woman
... Tseruyah. 6871 . an Israelite woman. Transliteration: Tseruyah Phonetic Spelling:
(tser-oo-yaw') Short Definition: Zeruiah. ... woman NASB Word Usage Zeruiah (26). ...
/hebrew/6870.htm - 6k

The Meek and Lowly One
... Wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" Christ's
disciples were to him something like the sons of Zeruiah to David; or when ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the meek and lowly one.htm

Instances from the Life of the Blessed David in which Anger was ...
... their souls?" [931] And when Shimei threw stones at King David and cursed him, in
his hearing, before everybody, and Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, the captain ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii instances from the.htm

Love and Remorse
... in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.6. Then answered David and
said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love and remorse.htm

A Soldier who Spared his Enemy
... Then David turned to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's
brother, and said, "Who will go down with me to Saul's camp?" Abishai said ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a soldier who spared his.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... he hath cursed that king whom God hath appointed to reign over us?" But David turned
himself to him, and said, "Will you never leave off, ye sons of Zeruiah? ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

How David Laid Siege to Jerusalem; and when He had Taken the City ...
... However, Joab, the son of Zeruiah, prevented the rest; and as soon as he was got
up to the citadel, cried out to the king, and claimed the chief command. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how david laid.htm

How, when Absalom was Beaten, He was Caught in a Tree by his Hair ...
... He appointed Amasa to be captain of all his host, instead of Joab his kinsman: his
father was Ithra and his mother Abigail: now she and Zeruiah, the mother of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how when absalom.htm

In this Matter we must Imitate David's Silence and Humility...
... David was silent; and although he was surrounded with armed men he did not return
the abuse, nor sought revenge: nay, even when the son of Zeruiah spoke to him ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi in this matter.htm

The Wills of Men are So Much in the Power of God, that He Can Turn ...
... wisdom? What did he say to him who wanted to smite the reviler? "What,"
said he, "have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Let ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 41 xx the wills of.htm

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... But Joab, whose father was Suri, and his mother Zeruiah, David's sister, who was
general of David's army, met him, according to David's appointment. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

Zeruiah (25 Occurrences)
...ZERUIAH. ... According to 1 Chronicles 2:16 a sister of David and mother of Joab, Abishai
and Asahel, the two former being always referred to as sons of Zeruiah. ...
/z/zeruiah.htm - 17k

Zeruiah's (1 Occurrence)
...Zeruiah's (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 2:16 And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail.
And the sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three. (See NIV) ...
/z/zeruiah's.htm - 6k

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)
Zeru'iah. Zeruiah, Zeru'iah. Zeruiah's . Multi-Version Concordance
Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David ...
/z/zeru'iah.htm - 13k

Abi'shai (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai
the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying: 'Who will go down with me to ...
/a/abi'shai.htm - 14k

Abishai (25 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Father of (ie, "desirous of") a gift, the eldest
son of Zeruiah, David's sister. He was the brother of ...
/a/abishai.htm - 19k

Asahel (17 Occurrences)
... Made by God, the youngest son of Zeruiah, David's sister. ... The three were sons of
Zeruiah, one of David's sisters (1 Chronicles 2:15, 16 2 Samuel 2:18, etc.). ...
/a/asahel.htm - 16k

Nahash (9 Occurrences)
... Jesse's wife had apparently been first married to this man, to whom she bore Abigail
and Zeruiah, who were thus David's sisters, but only on the mother's side ...
/n/nahash.htm - 14k

Abigail (18 Occurrences)
... In the first passage she is called David's sister, along with Zeruiah; while in
the second she is called the "daughter of Nahash." Several explanations of this ...
/a/abigail.htm - 17k

Joab's (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 26:6 And David spake and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai
the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to ...
/j/joab's.htm - 10k

Jo'ab's (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai
the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, "Who will go down with me to ...
/j/jo'ab's.htm - 8k

Does the Bible mention David's mother? | GotQuestions.org

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