New International VersionTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons were Abishai, Joab and Asahel.
New Living TranslationTheir sisters were named Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah had three sons named Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
English Standard VersionAnd their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.
Berean Standard BibleTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
King James BibleWhose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
New King James VersionNow their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel—three.
New American Standard BibleTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abshai, Joab, and Asahel.
NASB 1995and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abshai, Joab and Asahel.
NASB 1977and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abshai, Joab, and Asahel.
Legacy Standard Bibleand their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abshai, Joab, and Asahel.
Amplified BibleTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.
Christian Standard BibleTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
Holman Christian Standard BibleTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
American Standard Versionand their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
Contemporary English VersionJesse also had two daughters: Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah was the mother of Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
English Revised Versionand their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah's three sons were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
Good News TranslationHe also had two daughters, Zeruiah and Abigail. Jesse's daughter Zeruiah had three sons: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
International Standard Versionalong with their sisters Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah's three sons were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
NET BibleTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah's three sons were Abshai, Joab, and Asahel.
New Heart English Bibleand their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
Webster's Bible TranslationWhose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
World English Bibleand their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand their sisters Zeruiah and Abigail. And sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asah-El—three.
Young's Literal Translation and their sisters Zeruiah and Abigail. And sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asah-El -- three.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd their sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd their sisters were Sarvia, and Abigail. The sons of Sarvia: Abisai, Joab, and Asael, three.
Catholic Public Domain VersionTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.
New American BibleTheir sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah had three sons: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
New Revised Standard Versionand their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhose sisters were Zuriah and Abigail. And the sons of Zuriah: Abishai, Joab, and Ashail, three.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd their two sisters Tsuria and Abigal; and the sons of Tsuria: Abishi and Yuab and Ashail, three. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd their sister was Saruia, and another Abigaia: and the sons of Saruia were Abisa, and Joab, and Asael, three.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Sons of Israel… 15Ozem sixth, and David seventh. 16Their sisterswere Zeruiahand Abigail.And the threesonsof Zeruiah wereAbishai,Joab,and Asahel.17Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.…
Cross References 1 Samuel 17:12-14Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons. And in the days of Saul, Jesse was old and well along in years. / The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. / And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul,
1 Samuel 16:10-13Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” / And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” ...
2 Samuel 2:18The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
2 Samuel 17:25Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.
2 Samuel 23:18-19Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.
2 Samuel 23:24Now these were members of the Thirty: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
1 Samuel 22:1-2So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. / And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
1 Samuel 26:6And David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” “I will go with you,” answered Abishai.
2 Samuel 21:17But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”
2 Samuel 2:22Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”
1 Samuel 16:6-7When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” / But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
1 Samuel 17:55-58As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” / “Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. / So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. ...
1 Samuel 18:1-4After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. ...
1 Samuel 20:41-42When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more. / And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.
1 Samuel 14:50-51His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner. / Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
Treasury of Scripture Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three. the sons of. 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 Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee. 2 Samuel 2:18-23 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahelwas as light of foot as a wild roe… 2 Samuel 3:39 And Iam this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiahbe too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. Jump to Previous AbigailAb'igailAbishaiAbi'shaiAbshaiAsahelAs'ahelJoabJo'abSistersThreeZeruiahZeru'iahJump to Next AbigailAb'igailAbishaiAbi'shaiAbshaiAsahelAs'ahelJoabJo'abSistersThreeZeruiahZeru'iah1 Chronicles 2 1.The sons of Israel.3.The posterity of Judah by Tamar.13.The children of Jesse.18.The posterity of Caleb the son of Hezron.21.Hezron's posterity by the daughter of Machir.25.Jerahmeel's posterity.34.Sheshan's posterity.42.Another branch of Caleb's posterity.50.The posterity of Caleb the son of Hur.Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail.Zeruiah and Abigail are mentioned as sisters of David's brothers, highlighting the importance of family lineage in the genealogies of Israel. Zeruiah is often noted for her sons, who played significant roles in David's military campaigns. Abigail, not to be confused with David's wife of the same name, is less prominently featured in the biblical narrative. The mention of sisters in genealogies is relatively rare, indicating their significance. This reflects the cultural context where family connections were crucial for social and political alliances. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
Zeruiah's sons were prominent figures in King David's reign. Abishai was known for his bravery and loyalty to David, often accompanying him in dangerous situations. Joab, the most famous of the three, served as the commander of David's army and was instrumental in many of David's military victories. However, Joab's actions were sometimes controversial, as he was involved in the deaths of Abner and Absalom, which were against David's wishes. Asahel, known for his swiftness, was killed by Abner, which led to a prolonged conflict between the house of David and the house of Saul. The roles of these men highlight the turbulent and often violent nature of David's rise to power and the establishment of his kingdom. Their stories are interwoven with themes of loyalty, justice, and the complexities of leadership, which are echoed throughout the biblical narrative. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZeruiahA sister of David, known for being the mother of three of David's mighty warriors. Her sons played significant roles in David's military campaigns. 2. AbigailAnother sister of David, distinct from Abigail, the wife of Nabal. She is the mother of Amasa, who also served as a military leader. 3. AbishaiThe eldest son of Zeruiah, known for his bravery and loyalty to King David. He was a commander in David's army and played a crucial role in several battles. 4. JoabThe second son of Zeruiah, he was the commander of David's army. Joab was a skilled military leader but also known for his ruthless actions. 5. AsahelThe youngest son of Zeruiah, known for his swiftness and agility. He was killed by Abner during a battle, which led to a prolonged conflict between David's and Saul's followers. Teaching Points Family Influence and LegacyThe influence of family is significant in shaping one's character and destiny. Zeruiah's sons were instrumental in David's reign, showing how family ties can impact leadership and legacy. Loyalty and LeadershipAbishai and Joab's loyalty to David exemplifies the importance of steadfastness in leadership. Their actions remind us of the need for loyalty in our commitments and relationships. The Complexity of Human CharacterJoab's life illustrates the complexity of human character, where strengths and weaknesses coexist. This serves as a reminder to seek God's guidance in balancing our own traits. The Consequences of ActionsAsahel's pursuit of Abner and his subsequent death highlight the consequences of our actions. It teaches us to consider the potential outcomes of our decisions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 2:16?
2.How does 1 Chronicles 2:16 highlight the importance of family in God's plan?
3.What role do Jesse's sons play in the lineage of King David?
4.How can we honor our family heritage as seen in 1 Chronicles 2:16?
5.How does this verse connect to the prophecy of Jesus' lineage?
6.What lessons can we learn from Jesse's sons for our spiritual journey?
7.How does 1 Chronicles 2:16 fit into the genealogy of King David?
8.What is the significance of Zeruiah and Abigail in 1 Chronicles 2:16?
9.Why are only the sisters of David mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:16?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 2?
11.What are Joab's key achievements and lessons in the Bible?
12.Why does 1 Chronicles 16 differ from 2 Samuel 6 in describing the Ark's journey and the people's offerings?
13.2 Samuel 3:27–30: Why doesn’t David punish Joab immediately for murdering Abner if he truly opposes the act?
14.In what year of King Asa's reign did Baasha, King of Israel die? Twenty-sixth year (I Kings 15:33 - 16:8) Still alive in the thirty-sixth year (2 Chronicles 16:1)What Does 1 Chronicles 2:16 Mean Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail• The “their” refers back to Jesse’s sons already listed in1 Chronicles 2:13-15. So Scripture highlights that Jesse had at least two daughters in addition to his eight sons. • Mentioning the sisters puts the whole family in view; God values every member, not just the famous ones (compareGenesis 5 where daughters are also noted). • Zeruiah and Abigail become key because of the pivotal roles their children will play alongside David, Jesse’s youngest (1 Samuel 16:11-13).
And the three sons of Zeruiah• Unlike many Old Testament genealogies that trace lineage through fathers, here we follow a matriarch. Zeruiah’s name recurs often, underlining her influence (2 Samuel 16:10; 18:16). • All three sons serve in David’s administration, illustrating how God weaves entire families into His purposes (Psalm 68:6). • The trio’s shared identity as “sons of Zeruiah” becomes almost a title, stressing their unity and determination.
Abishai• The eldest, Abishai, is remembered for loyalty and courage: – He accompanies David into Saul’s camp and restrains himself at David’s command (1 Samuel 26:6-9). – He rescues David from the giant Ishbi-Benob (2 Samuel 21:15-17). – His leadership of “The Thirty” shows God’s blessing on steadfast devotion (2 Samuel 23:18-19). • Through Abishai we see that zeal, when tempered by obedience to God-appointed authority, accomplishes great exploits (Romans 13:1).
Joab• As David’s commander-in-chief (2 Samuel 8:16), Joab’s strategic mind defends Israel against formidable foes (2 Samuel 10:9-14). • Yet Joab’s story is also a caution: personal vengeance and political calculation lead him to shed innocent blood (2 Samuel 3:27; 20:10). • His complicated legacy reminds us that God evaluates both victories and motives (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Asahel• “Asahel was as swift-footed as a gazelle” (2 Samuel 2:18), a gift he uses in battle. • His relentless pursuit of Abner ends in his own death (2 Samuel 2:23), which later fuels Joab’s vendetta. • Asahel’s brief but vivid appearance shows how natural talents, without prudence, can lead to unintended consequences (Proverbs 19:2).
summary1 Chronicles 2:16 introduces Zeruiah and Abigail to spotlight the far-reaching impact of Jesse’s daughters. Zeruiah’s sons—Abishai, Joab, and Asahel—stand out as courageous, capable, and deeply involved in David’s rise and reign. Their feats and failings together reveal how God providentially shapes families for His purposes while still holding each person accountable for heart attitudes and choices. Verses 16, 17. - These verses do not say that David "begat" Zeruiah and Abigail, but that these two were sisters of the foregoing seven brethren. Light is thrown upon this by 2 Samuel 17:25, which says that Abigail was the daughter of one Nahash, and that Zeruiah was her sister. But it is to leave us in greater darkness as to who Nahath was: whether Nahath was another name for Jesse, or the name of Jesse's wife, or the name of a former husband of Jesse's wife, to whom she bore these two daughters before she became wife to Jesse, and that former husband possibly none other than the Ammonite king ( 2 Samuel 10:2) - or whether none of these conjectures be near the truth, some of which on the face of them seem unlikely enough, is as yet unsettled. Meantime it is worth remembering that Zeruiah named one of her celebrated sons, and probably the eldest of them, Abishai, after Jesse, Ishai being the same as our Jesse; yet from the above premises it is taken that she was strictly sister of Abigail, and therefore was not really related to Jesse. The subject is treated interestingly under the various names in Smith's 'Bible Dictionary.' The husband of Zeruiah is given nowhere, while the husband of Abigail, here called Jether the Ishmeelite, is, in the passage already referred to ( 2 Samuel 17:25), called Ithra (which is a slightly altered form of the name), an Israelite, with little doubt an error for Ishmaelite. In the same passage also her own name appears as אֲבִיגַל, instead of אֲבִיגַיִל, though many manuscripts have this latter.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Their sistersוְאַחְיוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם(wə·’aḥ·yō·w·ṯê·hem)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 269:Sister -- a sisterwere Zeruiahצְרוּיָ֣ה(ṣə·rū·yāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6870:Zeruiah -- an Israelite womanand Abigail.וַאֲבִיגָ֑יִל(wa·’ă·ḇî·ḡā·yil)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 26:Abigail -- 'my father is joy', two Israelite womenAnd the threeשְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃(šə·lō·šāh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thricesonsוּבְנֵ֣י(ū·ḇə·nê)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Zeruiah [were]צְרוּיָ֗ה(ṣə·rū·yāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6870:Zeruiah -- an Israelite womanAbishai,אַבְשַׁ֛י(’aḇ·šay)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 52:Abishai -- 'my father is Jesse', an Israelite nameJoab,וְיוֹאָ֥ב(wə·yō·w·’āḇ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097:Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelitesand Asahel.אֵ֖ל(’êl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6214:Asahel -- 'God has made', four Israelites
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OT History: 1 Chronicles 2:16 And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr) |
