Expert: Marilyn - 6/10/2011

Question
The Bible tells us the names of King David's brothers, but I can't find anything else about them. Did
they not help him or were they not an active part of his kingdom?

Answer
Hello Alice;

While David was on the run from Saul, he sent his parents to Moab, I Samuel 22:3. I Chronicles 2:16 names David's two sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah's three sons joined David's band during this time, but they were always jockeying for status. In II Samuel 3:39 David complained that they were too difficult for him and asked that the Lord would repay them for their deeds. However, when he became king he gave them positions in his government. David appointed Joab, one of her sons, the commander of his army; he was in command when David wanted to eliminate Uriah, Bathsheba's husband and was more than willing to put this good man on the front lines. He was also involved in the story of Absolom's rebellion, this time loyally serving David to the best of his abilities. David hurt his feelings, he felt that despite Absolom's actions, David still loved Absolom more than all the loyal men who served him. Besides his mostly good advice regarding Absolom, Joab also recommended David not take the census which later brought God's anger against David. Abishai, another son of Zeruiah, saved David's life during a battle in his later years when David became weary, II Samuel 21. Asahel, another of Zeruiah's sons, tried to kill Abner, first cousin of Saul and commander of Saul's army, even though David did not want him slain and even admired him; Joab eventually killed Abner.

Zeruiah's sons are the only relatives I have discovered who played a role in David's life after he slew Goliath. This answer covers only a few of the references to this three sons of Zeruiah. It seems that they did not have David's spiritual insights or anything remotely similar to David's relationship with God. They sometimes were beneficial to him and other times detrimental.

Sincerely,

Marilyn