the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Asahel
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (Heb. Asah-el', עֲשָׂהאֵל, creature of God), the name of four men.
1. (Sept. Ἀσαήλ , Josephus, Ἀσάηλος, Ant. 7:3, 1.) The youngest son of David's sister Zeruiah (2 Samuel 2:18), and brother of Joab and Abishai (1 Chronicles 2:16). He was one of David's early adherents (2 Samuel 23:24), and with his son Zebadiah was commander of the fourth division of the royal army (1 Chronicles 27:7). He was noted for his swiftness of foot, a gift much valued in ancient times (comp. Iliad, 15:570; Plutarch, Vit. Romuli, 25; Liv. 9:16; Curt. 7:7, 32; Veget. Mil. i, 9); and after the battle at Gibeon he pursued and overtook Abner (q.v.), who, with great reluctance, in order to preserve his own life, slew him by a back- thrust with the sharp iron heel of his spear, B.C. cir. 1051 (2 Samuel 2:18-23). To revenge his death, his brother Joab some years after treacherously killed Abner, who had come to wait on David at Hebron (2 Samuel 3:26-27). (See JOAB).
2. (Sept. Ἀσαήλ v. r. Ι᾿ασιήλ.) One of the Levites sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the people of Judah the law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:8), B.C. 909.
3. (Sept. Ἀσαήλ .) One of the Levites appointed by Hezekiah as overseer of the contributions to the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 31:13), B.C. 726.
4. (Sept. Ἀσαήλ .) The father of Jonathan, which latter was one of the elders who assisted Ezra in putting away the foreign wives of the Jews on the return from Babylon (Ezra 10:15). B.C. ante 459.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Asahel'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/a/asahel.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
