Son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and brother of Abishai and Asahel, was the commander of David's army during almost the whole of his reign, 2 Samuel 5:6-10 . He was a valiant warrior, and an able general; and his great influence on public affairs was often exerted for good, as in the rebellion of Absalom, and the numbering of Israel, 2 Samuel 18:1-19:42 24:1-25 . But as a man he was imperious, revengeful, and unscrupulous: witness his treacherous assassination of Abner, and of his cousin Amasa, 2 Samuel 3:27 20:9-10; his bearing towards David, 2 Samuel 3:39 19:5 , and connivance with him in the matter of Uriah; his slaying Absalom, and conspiring with Adonijah against the divinely appointed heir to the throne; for all which he was at length put to death by order of Solomon, 1 Kings 2:1-46 .