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Samuel

(Encyclopedia)Samuel, two books of the Bible, originally a single work, called First and Second Samuel in modern Bibles, and First and Second Kingdoms in the Septuagint. They are considered part of “Deuteronomist...

Eliab

(Encyclopedia)Eliab ēlīˈăb [key], in the Bible. 1 Chief of the tribe of Zebulun. 2 Father of Dathan. 3 Brother of David. 4 Musician of David. 5 A follower of David. 6 The same as Elihu (1.) ...

Saul

(Encyclopedia)Saul, first king of the ancient Hebrews. He was a Benjamite and anointed king by Samuel. Saul's territory was probably limited to the hill country of Judah and the region to the north, and his proximi...

Eliashib

(Encyclopedia)Eliashib ĭlīˈəshĭb [key], in the Bible. 1 High priest. 2 Priest under David. 3 Descendant of David. ...

Ira, in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Ira īˈrə [key], in the Bible. 1 Chief officer of David. 2, 3 Two of David's guard. ...

Jonathan

(Encyclopedia)Jonathan jŏnˈəthən [key] [short for Jehonathan, Heb.,=Yahweh has given]. 1 In the Bible, Saul's son and David's friend, killed at the battle of Mt. Gilboa. David showed kindness to his son Mephibo...

Adonijah

(Encyclopedia)Adonijah ădˌənīˈjə, ədŏnˈəjə [key], in the Bible, son of David. He sought the throne that David gave to the younger son, Solomon. Perhaps the same as Adonikam, a name in the lists of famili...

Ahithophel

(Encyclopedia)Ahithophel əhĭthˈəfĕl [key], in the Bible, David's counselor who joined with Absalom against David. He killed himself when Absalom ignored his counsel. He may have been the grandfather of Bath-sh...

Zebadiah

(Encyclopedia)Zebadiah zĕbˌədīˈə [key], in the Bible. 1 Ally of David at Ziklag. 2 Officer of David. 3 Teacher of the Law. 4 High official of Jehoshaphat. Additional mention of this name is in First Chronicle...

Nabal

(Encyclopedia)Nabal nāˈbəl [key], in the Bible, wealthy sheep owner who resisted David's attempt at extortion. David's anger was appeased by the blandishments of Abigail, Nabal's wife. ...