Eliab אֱלִיאָב

Male Tribe of Judah H0446I 3 books

Eldest brother of King David

Biography

Eliab, mentioned in 1Sa.16.6; 17.13,28; 1Ch.2.13; and 2Ch.11.18, was the eldest son of Jesse and the brother of King David. When the prophet Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the future king, Eliab was the first to pass before him. However, God instructed Samuel not to judge by appearance, as He had not chosen Eliab (1Sa.16.6-7). Eliab, along with his brothers, served in Saul's army during the battle against the Philistines. When David visited the camp, Eliab rebuked him, accusing him of neglecting their father's sheep out of pride and curiosity (1Sa.17.28). Despite this tension, Eliab witnessed David's victory over Goliath and his rise to prominence in Israel. Eliab's daughter, Abihail, later married King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon (2Ch.11.18), indicating a continued connection between the families.

Family

In Scripture

3 biblical books
1 Samuel 3 verses
  • 1 Samuel 16:6

    "When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely Yahweh’s anointed is before him.”"

  • 1 Samuel 17:13

    "The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah."

  • 1 Samuel 17:28

    "Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride, and the naughtiness of your heart; for you have come down that you..."

1 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 1 Chronicles 2:13

    "and Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,"

2 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 2 Chronicles 11:18

    "Rehoboam took a wife for himself, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Strong's
Named Hebrew אֱלִיאָב H0446I