Asahel

Meaning: made by God

This was the name of four biblical men:

  1. Asahel was the youngest son of Zeruiah, David’s half-sister. He was celebrated for his swiftness of foot. He was the brother of Abishai and Joab. When fighting against Ish-bosheth at Gibeon, in the army of his brother Joab, he died after being speared through by Abner, whom he pursued from the field of battle (2 Samuel 2:18-19). He is mentioned among David’s thirty mighty men (2 Samuel 23:24; 1 Chronicles 11:26).

  2. A Levite sent to the people of Judah by King Jehoshaphat to teach them about the Law (2 Chronicles 17:8) after which the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms surrounding Judah.

  3. A financial overseer in the temple (31:13).

  4. The father of a man named Jonathan who stood in opposition to the scribe and spiritual leader Ezra (Ezra 10:15).

Authors: Matthew G. Easton and Paul S. Taylor.