David’s Family – Part one

While reading first and second Samuel, we are introduced to a large number of personalities, many of whom are relatives of David. Since family relationships often have repercussions that are critical to the outcome of an event, here is a brief compilation of David’s kin.

Boaz and Ruth

The book of Ruth contains the details about two of David’s exemplary ancestors, Boaz and Ruth, David’s great-grandparents. Both are mentioned in the genealogies of Jesus (Matt. 1:5; Luke 3:32). Ruth receives special mention in Matthew’s gospel as one of the four women noted.

These genealogies also reveal the important reality that the line of David’s descendants terminates with Jesus Christ, the promised savior.

From the union between Boaz and Ruth, the Moabitess, came David’s grandfather Obed. The fact Ruth is a Moabitess may help explain why David took his parents to Moab and spent time there himself seeking safety (1 Sam. 22:3,4).

Immediate kin

Scriptures say little about Obed other than that he begat Jesse. They are also silent concerning the name of Jesse’s mother.

We are told that Jesse fathered eight sons and two daughters (1 Sam. 17:12; 1 Chr. 2:16), but we are not given the name of David’s mother. Jesse’s sons, given in birth order, were: Eliab, Abina­dab, Shammah, Nethaneel, Raddai, Ozem and David (1 Chr. 2:13-15). David, the youngest (1 Sam. 17:14), is mentioned seventh in this list; a name of one brother has been excluded. Possibly Elihu (1 Chr. 27:18) or Shimeah (2 Sam. 13:3,32) is the missing name, unless they are synonyms for Eliab and Shammah.

Eliab the eldest

Jesse’s three eldest sons, Eliab, Abina­dab and Shammah (also called Shimma) found employment in Saul’s forces at Elah (1 Sam. 17:13). When David visited the camp, we are told Eliab became angry at what David said regarding Goliath. His “anger was kindled against David and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightiest see the battle” (1 Sam. 17:28).

If Elihu was a synonym for Eliab, he later became the leader of Judah (1 Chr. 27:18). We know that his outward appearance was attractive (1 Sam. 16:6) but this was of no consequence in his service to God. We are told concerning Eliab, “The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). The LORD refused him and instead chose David over any of the older brothers.

We are told that Eliab’s daughter, Abihail, achieved royalty by marrying Rehoboam (2 Chr. 11:18). We are also told that Shammah’s son, Jonadab, (a friend of Amnon, David’s oldest son) was very subtle (2 Sam. 13:3). No additional scriptural details are given for any of David’s other brothers.

Prominent nephews

Zeruiah and Abigail were the two daughters of Jesse (1 Chr. 2:16). Scripture mentions Abigail’s husband as Jether (1 Kgs. 2:5,32) the Ishmeelite (1 Chr. 2:17) but he is also called Ithra an Israelite (2 Sam. 17:25). Zeruiah’s husband is not mentioned. In contrast to this silence, David’s nephews — Abigail’s son, Amasa, and Zeruiah’s three sons, Joab, Abishai and Asahel — play a conspicuous part in David’s life and add considerably to the action recorded in first and second Samuel.

Although Amasa initially sided with Absalom, his cousin, against his Uncle David (2 Sam. 17:25), Absalom’s host was defeated and he was killed by his cousin Joab (2 Sam. 19:2; 18:4). David exonerated Amasa and designated him to succeed Joab as commander of the army (2 Sam. 29:13). This appointment was brief and ended when Joab slew Amasa with the sword at “the great stone which is in Gibeon” (2 Sam. 20:8­-10).

Joab, Abishai and Asahel were, for the most part, strong supporters of their uncle. Their assault on the enemy, however, often exceeded the force that David would have used.

While Asahel was a swift runner, he was slain by Abner (Saul’s uncle) during a battle between the forces of Ishbosheth and those of David (2 Sam. 2:18-23). In revenge for the death of their brother, Joab and Abishai tricked Abner into a vulnerable situation and murdered him. David was appalled at their deed and called a bitter curse against Joab (2 Sam. 3:28).

Abishai was a daring warrior who yearned to smite King Saul while he slept at Hachilah (1 Sam. 26:8). Respecting Saul as the Lord’s anointed, David dismissed the offer. When David was king, Abishai was regarded as fourth in point of valor of the mighty men that formed David’s bodyguard (1 Chr. 11:20). His valor was demonstrated by slaying 300 Philistines at Bethlehem and preventing David from being killed by the spear of the Philistine giant, Ishbibenob (2 Sam. 23:18; 21:16,17).

Joab was the most prominent of David’s nephews and was loyal to David for most of his life. He proved to be a skillful general, although his interests sometimes caused him to take actions opposed to his uncle’s desire (e.g. his slayings of Abner and Absalom). Joab’s loyalty diminished toward the end of David’s life and he backed Adonijah for king (1 Kings 1:7). This opposition to David’ swill eventually cost Joab his life when his cousin Solomon ordered Benaiah to slay him (1 Kings 2:29-34).

Wives and concubines

David had at least eight wives and an unrecorded number of concubines. More than 20 sons were born to him (1 Chr. 3:1-9; 2 Sam. 3:3-5; 5:14-16). Of the prominent sons of David, most are known for their opposition to their father.

David’s first marriage was to Michal, Saul’s daughter (1 Sam. 14:49). He should have received Merab, Saul’s older daughter, but Saul offered Michal in­stead (1 Sam. 18:19). Saul’s intention was to use Michal as bait to rid himself of a rival (1 Sam. 18:25). The dowry was set as an hundred foreskins of the Philistines because Saul hoped David would die acquiring them. To Saul’s dismay, David delivered 200 foreskins and claimed his bride.

The marriage was not a success, however. While David was in exile, Michal was given to another man. Although she was later returned to David, she despised his uninhibited love for God and died childless (2 Sam. 3:13-16; 6:16,23).