Hidden Figure
Quiz time! Quick, name this Biblical character: Impulsive, self-important, loud-mouthed, passionate, quick with a weapon, over-confident, and actually rebukes his leader. Got it? Okay, name this one. Ready to call down destruction and judgment on his enemies, ambitious, zealous, loyal, power-hungry, one of two fiery brothers. Got it?
If you said, “Easy-peasy…that’s Peter and John,” I’d have to say “Natural mistake, but, oh, sorry, here’s a lovely consolation prize!” Our mystery men are actually Joab and Abishai, brothers we meet as we move through 2 Samuel. (You may recall my odd fascination with Joab from this post). But it’s actually Zeruiah, their hidden figure parent, we’ll be discussing today. If you’re scratching your head at that name, let me refresh your memory.
| Crazy sons of… |
Anyone in earshot of King David would eventually hear him say, with gusto, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?” At first, I assumed this was an oath of some kind, like saying “You crazy sons of ….” (you can fill in the blank, I’m sure). Or that Zeruiah was some hell-raiser warrior, since David said this when one of these brothers was warming up to do something very, very violent. (Here’s a classic example: “David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” (2 Sam 19:22)
Surprise, surprise. Turns out, David was talking about their MOTHER (who also happened to be his own SISTER). That’s right. Zeruiah is not some muscle-bound chieftain, it’s dear old mom. She’s yet another long-lost Biblical woman who has been hiding in plain sight. Bringing her into the spotlight is tricky since nothing is directly recorded about her, but we can make some guesses by way of her boys’ behavior and character. Tip: Watch for volcanic impulsiveness, machismo, and courage, all family trademarks. (Which begs the question: What do people conclude about you by observing your kids?)
| Meet big brother Joab |
This man is the Old Testament version of the apostle Peter. “Step Aside and Let the Man Come Through” Joab always has a better idea and he’s got the brass to argue with, scold, rebuke, and overrule his lord and master, King David.
| Joab’s highlights reel |
- David’s commander in chief because he was the first volunteer to go against the savage Jebusites and win Jerusalem for his king
- Masterminded the defeat of several key enemy cities
- Urged damage control in the whole ugly Bathsheba affair by reminding David about another woman whose actions changed history. (Spoiler: David didn’t get the hint.)
- Fiercely loyal to his brothers, his king and kingdom
|Why I heart Joab |
For today, I want to focus on ONE aspect of his character—his uniquely modern appreciation for women! That he collaborated with and respected women, in an age when virtually all other men did not, tells me a lot about his relationship with his mother. Let’s face it. If Joab didn’t respect and, yes, love his mother, he would never have been able or willing to strategically partner with women. Even the way he speaks to them tells me his momma raised him right:
For instance: Joab hires a woman to disguise herself as a disgruntled peasant whose son has been denied justice. This clever actress totally smokes David and winds up with the big reveal that she’s talking about David’s son Absalom, not her own son. David is irked he’s been caught *again* by a charade like this (remember Prophet Nathan’s “poor man with the cherished lamb incident?). His irritated reaction makes me laugh: “Is the hand of Joab in all this?” David smells a rat and that rat, he knows, has to be his right-hand man and nemesis, good ol’ Joab.
| What Joab learned from Mom |
I have no evidence for this, but my mother instinct tells me Zeruiah taught Joab to stand up for what’s right; do it yourself when others fail or quail (kill traitors, even if they are the king’s sons); use any means to accomplish a righteous end; protect your family honor (avenge your little brother and tell your Uncle David to quit making a laughing stock of himself). I’ll bet Zeruiah was proud of her outlandishly brave, ruthlessly pragmatic eldest.
| Meet Abishai, number 2 son |
Zeruiah’s 2nd son doesn’t get as much coverage as his big brother, but it’s obvious he earned plenty at his mother’s knee, too. Like the New Testament “Son of Thunder” John, Abishai has an itchy trigger finger. “One And Done” Abishai is your go-to guy when you want to lop someone’s head off or run them through.
| Abishai’s highlights reel |
- 2nd in command in David’s army under brother Joab
- Volunteered for the most dangerous missions
- Lifted his spear single-handedly against 300 men and killed them. IN ONE BATTLE.
- Struck down 18K Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
- Stepped in to kill Goliath’s brother when an elderly David grew faint
| What Abishai learned from Mom |
Anyone knows that if your mother doesn’t believe in you, you wind up like some twisted weirdo in a Hitchcock movie. Our man Abishai has the boldness comes from a mother who infuses her boys with a sense of purpose and can-do gusto.
Abishai’s got the likable family swagger in spades, assuring David that if the king will only, please, please, pretty please, let him kill Saul, he would do it in one stroke. “I won’t have to strike him twice,” he promises, fingers itching at his sword hilt. You’ve got to admire a guy with that kind of self-assurance and it only comes from being raised in an atmosphere of motherly love, admiration, and encouragement to be all that you can be.
| Meet the baby of the family, Asahel |
Every family tags their kids: the pretty one, the funny one, the smart one. Well, in Zeruiah’s family, “Hot Foot” Asahel was the fast one and, by all appearances, the family favorite.
| Asahel’s highlights reel |
- One of King David’s renowned warriors and a military leader
- Singled out as a “mighty warrior”
- As “fleet as a gazelle.”
- Never gave up, even at the cost of his life.
Srsly, that’s it. Asahel is chasing down his enemy (and cousin) Abner, who asks “Is that you, Asahel?” as they’re running along. Asahel’s 2-word reply says volumes.
| What Asahel learned from Mom |
Quiet, intense, single-focused Asahel learned from his mother that youngest doesn’t mean inferior, use your gifts for the kingdom, actions speak louder than words, and to never, EVER give up. During this desperate chase, Abner tries to bribe him off, threaten him, appeal to family. But Asahel never takes his eyes off the prize. Abner knows the only way he can stop this kid is kill him. Which he does, ruthlessly. (Not too surprisingly, big brother Joab kills Abner in EXACTLY the same manner the very next day. And I say, good for him, frankly.)
| What we can learn from Zeruiah about fighting like a girl |
Have you ever felt sidelined because you’re “just” a SAHM? Worried because, as a single mother, your sons will suffer from lacking a father in the house? Are you up to your pretty, sweaty neck in diapers and Legos, or gym socks and algebra homework? No time (or energy) to join committees or take part in church activities, even though you’d love to. Your days are filled with endless requests for your time, your attention, your cooking!
Take heart, Mom. The old saying is absolutely true—Motherhood is THE most important job in the world! If you teach your children to believe in God and His King with all their hearts, you are helping build an army, just as Zeruiah did.
ALL of Zeruiah’s sons were mighty men of war, who took their commitment to their King seriously. She sent them off to fight for her brother, the King, and they brought with them a ferocity and dedication that could not be denied and has rarely been matched in Scripture.
Like Zeruiah, you’re creating a legacy. Infuse your sons and daughters with courage, boldness, passion and zeal. Teach them family loyalty, love for their King, unflinching sincerity, and a sense of duty and righteousness.
No one but a mother has that utterly steadfast belief in her children’s capabilities. Your confidence can become theirs. Help them believe that, no matter what their family order or abilities, they, too, can become one of God’s mighty ones.
These sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. 2 Sam 3:39
(I strongly urge you to get the full picture of these amazing brothers in 2 Samuel.)
No one but a mother has that utterly steadfast belief in her children’s capabilities. Your confidence can become theirs. Help them believe that, no matter what their family order or abilities, they, too, can become one of God’s mighty ones.
These sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. 2 Sam 3:39
(I strongly urge you to get the full picture of these amazing brothers in 2 Samuel.)
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