Zeruiah
צְרוּיָה · tse.ru.yah · H6870G“pain or tribulation of the Lord” Hitchcock's 186925 mentions in 4 books, most in 2 Samuel (14)
Who she was
Zeruiah was the sister of King David and the mother of three of his most prominent military leaders: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Her sons played significant roles throughout David's reign, both in military campaigns and in political matters. Joab served as the commander of David's army, while Abishai and Asahel were also known for their bravery and skill in battle. Zeruiah's sons were fiercely loyal to David, though their actions sometimes brought them into conflict with the king. For example, Joab murdered Abner and Amasa, two of David's rivals, without the king's consent. Despite these tensions, David recognized the importance of Zeruiah's sons in establishing and maintaining his kingdom. The fact that Zeruiah is consistently mentioned as their mother highlights her significance in the family and her influence on her sons' roles in David's court.
Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0
Family
FatherJesseMotherNahashSiblingsDavid, Eliab, Abinadab, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem, Elihu, Abigail, ShimeahSpousehusband of ZeruiahChildrenAbishai, Joab, Asahel
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0
Every mention
25 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
2 Samuel14 mentions
2 Samuel 2:13Joab the son of Zeruiah and David’s servants went out, and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.2 Samuel 2:18The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.2 Samuel 3:39I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”2 Samuel 8:16Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder,2 Samuel 14:1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.2 Samuel 16:9Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head.”2 Samuel 16:10The king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”2 Samuel 17:25Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s…2 Samuel 18:2David sent the people out, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the…2 Samuel 19:21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh’s anointed?”2 Samuel 19:22David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For don’t I know that I am king…2 Samuel 21:17But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “Don’t go out with us to battle any more, so that you don’t…2 Samuel 23:18Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.2 Samuel 23:37Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
1 Kings3 mentions
1 Kings 1:7He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.1 Kings 2:5“Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom…1 Kings 2:22King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest…
1 Chronicles7 mentions
1 Chronicles 2:16and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.1 Chronicles 11:6David had said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.1 Chronicles 11:39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah),1 Chronicles 18:12Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt.1 Chronicles 18:15Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;1 Chronicles 26:28All that Samuel the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth and of…1 Chronicles 27:24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to take a census, but didn’t finish; and wrath came on Israel for this. The number wasn’t put into the account in the chronicles of King David.
What the dictionary says
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…
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Read the article →Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR · Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References · CC BY 4.0 · github.com/STEPBible/STEPBible-Data
- Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (1869) · Public domain