Abigail אֲבִיגַ֫יִל
Sister of David; mother of Amasa
Who is Abigail in the Bible?
Abigail was the daughter of Jesse and sister of King David, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:16-17. She married Jether, an Ishmaelite, and became the mother of Amasa, who served as commander of Absalom's army during his rebellion against David. After Absalom's defeat, David appointed Amasa as his own commander-in-chief in an attempt to reconcile with Absalom's supporters, though Amasa was later killed by Joab when he delayed in gathering the men of Judah. Abigail's significance lies primarily in her role as the mother of Amasa, whose military career reflected the complex political dynamics within David's kingdom during a period of internal conflict.
Biography
Abigail was the daughter of Jesse and the sister of King David, as mentioned in 1Ch.2.16-17. She married a man named Jether, who was an Ishmaelite (2Sa.17.25). Abigail and Jether had a son named Amasa, who played a significant role during the rebellion of David's son Absalom.
During Absalom's revolt against David, Absalom appointed Amasa as the commander of his army, replacing Joab, who had been David's military commander (2Sa.17.25). After Absalom's defeat and death, David offered Amasa the position of commander-in-chief to appease the supporters of Absalom.
However, when David sent Amasa to gather the men of Judah, he took longer than expected. This delay prompted David to send Abishai and Joab to pursue the rebel Sheba. Joab, seeing Amasa as a threat to his position, killed him (2Sa.20.4-13). The biblical text does not provide further information about Abigail's life or her reaction to her son's death.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- David Tribe of JudahKing of JudahAnointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus ChristView full profile →
- Eliab Tribe of JudahDavid's brotherEldest brother of King DavidView full profile →
- Abinadab Tribe of JudahDavid's brotherSon of Jesse, brother of DavidView full profile →
- Shimeah Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Mikloth and nephew of Ner in Benjamin's genealogy.View full profile →
- Nethanel Tribe of JudahDavid's brotherBrother of DavidView full profile →
- Raddai Tribe of JudahDavid's brotherOne of David's brothers, son of JesseView full profile →
- Ozem Tribe of JudahDavid's brotherBrother of DavidView full profile →
- Elihu Tribe of JudahDavid's brotherLeader of the tribe of Judah.View full profile →
- Zeruiah Tribe of JudahSister of DavidSister of David; mother of Joab, Abishai, and AsahelView full profile →
Partners
In Scripture
2 biblical books1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 2:16
"Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel."
- 1 Chronicles 2:17
"Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite."
2 Samuel 1 verse
- 2 Samuel 17:25
"Absalom 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."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲבִיגַ֫יִל |
| Spelled | Hebrew | אֲבִיגַ֫ל |