Eliab in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE

e-li'-ab ('eli'abh, "God is father"): (1) Prince of the tribe of Zebulun in the Exodus (Nu 1:9; 2:7; 7:24,29; 10:16). (2) A Reubenite, father of Dathan and Abiram (Nu 16:11,12; 26:8 f; Dt 11:6). (3) Eldest son of Jesse and brother of David (1 Sam 16:6), once called Elihu (1 Ch 27:18). He was of commanding appearance (1 Sam 16:6) and when serving with Saul's army at the time when it was confronting the Philistines and Goliath, was inclined to lord it over his brother David (1 Sam 17:28 f). His daughter Abihail became a Wife of Rehoboam (2 Ch 11:18). (4) An Ephraimite, an ancestor of Samuel (1 Ch 6:27); called Eliel in 1 Ch 6:34, and Elihu in 1 Sam 1:1. (5) A Gadire warrior with David (1 Ch 12:9), one of 11 mighty men (1 Ch 12:8,14). (6) A Levite musician (1 Ch 15:18,20; 16:5). (7) An ancestor of Judith (Judith 8:1; compare 9:2). F. K. Farr