Zeruiah (Zuh-roo´yuh)

The mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, three of David’s warriors. According to (1Chr 2:16) she was David’s sister, and perhaps for this reason his three nephews are identified not by their father’s name, but by their mother’s. The sons of Zeruiah are depicted as impetuous and ruthless men, frequently appearing as foils to the mild-tempered king (2Sam 3:39).