Topical Encyclopedia Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai, and Ozem are the six older brothers of David, the youngest son of Jesse, who became the second king of Israel. These brothers are mentioned in the context of David's anointing and his early life, providing insight into the family dynamics and the divine selection of David as king.Eliab Eliab is the eldest son of Jesse and is first introduced in the narrative of 1 Samuel 16, where the prophet Samuel is sent by God to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the future king of Israel. Eliab, being the firstborn, is initially assumed by Samuel to be the Lord's chosen one due to his appearance and stature. However, God instructs Samuel otherwise, emphasizing that divine selection is based on the heart rather than outward appearance: "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart'" (1 Samuel 16:7). Eliab later appears in the account of David and Goliath, where he expresses anger and jealousy towards David, questioning his motives for coming to the battlefield (1 Samuel 17:28). Abinadab Abinadab is the second son of Jesse. Like Eliab, he is presented to Samuel during the anointing process but is not chosen by God (1 Samuel 16:8). Abinadab's role in the biblical narrative is limited, and he is primarily mentioned in genealogical contexts. Shimea Shimea, also known as Shammah, is the third son of Jesse. He is similarly passed over by Samuel during the anointing of David (1 Samuel 16:9). Shimea's presence is noted in the account of David's early life, but like his brothers, he does not play a significant role in the unfolding of the biblical account. Nethanel Nethanel is the fourth son of Jesse. His mention in the Bible is primarily in genealogical records, such as 1 Chronicles 2:13-15, where the sons of Jesse are listed. Nethanel's life and actions are not detailed in the biblical narrative beyond these genealogical references. Raddai Raddai is the fifth son of Jesse. Similar to Nethanel, Raddai's presence in the Bible is limited to genealogical listings. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:14, but no further details about his life or role are provided in the Scriptures. Ozem Ozem is the sixth son of Jesse. Like his brothers Nethanel and Raddai, Ozem is primarily known from genealogical records. He is listed in 1 Chronicles 2:15, and the Bible does not provide additional information about his life or contributions. These brothers of David, while not central figures in the biblical narrative, serve to highlight the unexpected nature of God's choice in selecting David, the youngest and seemingly least likely candidate, to be king over Israel. Their presence underscores the theme of divine election and the importance of inner character over external attributes. |