Which of the following are David's sisters?

David, famed for his remarkable journey from shepherd to king, had two sisters named Zeruiah and Abigail, as noted in 1 Chronicles 2:16. While many people focus on David's exploits—his slaying of Goliath, his complex relationship with Saul, or his poetic heart expressed in the Psalms—his family also played intriguing roles in his story.

His sister Zeruiah was quite prominent in her own right, known as the mother of several valiant warriors, including Joab, who became David’s chief military commander. You might say talent ran in the family! Abigail, though less frequently highlighted than Zeruiah, was known to be an intelligent and resourceful woman. In fact, she is recognized in the story of Nabal—a significant bit of drama in David’s life, as Abigail's wisdom spared David from murder and extended chaos. Some readers humorously recall her charmer step in sweet-talking David out of a furious misstep!

Interestingly, David's family dynamics are a reflection of the broader connections around which many ancient cultures thrived—tribal and family loyalty often swayed political and military alignments. So, while David is often studied as a lone, heroic figure, the stories surrounding his family members shed light on how those bonds shaped the foundation of his rule over Israel. Who would have guessed that behind the storied king were powerful sisters helping to prop up the nation!