Bible Dictionary
Zeruiah
David’s sister and the mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, three prominent leaders in David’s army.
Definition
Zeruiah was David’s sister and the mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Her sons were leading heroes and commanders in David’s army.
Biblical Usage
The three sons of Zeruiah are repeatedly identified by their relationship to her and were admitted to close companionship with David as his nephews.
Historical Background
The Bible does not name Zeruiah’s husband. Her family was connected with Bethlehem, where her husband was buried according to the supplied material.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Stricken of the Lord, David’s sister, and the mother of Abishai, Joab, and Asahel (1 Chr. 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.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(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.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ze-roo-i'-a, ze-roo'-ya (tseruyah, tseruyah (2Sa 14:1; 16:10), meaning uncertain; Sarouia): In 2Sa 2:18; 17:25; 1Ch 2:16, and elsewhere where the names Joab, Abishai, occur. According to 1Ch 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, Jud 8:31; 9:1 ff); 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 2Sa 2:32, her husband was buried at Bethlehem. In 2Sa 17:25, "Abigal the daughter of Nahash" is said to be her sister.</p><p>See ABIGAIL.</p><p>David Francis Roberts</p>