Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

1 CHRONICLES 11:41KJV
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1 Chronicles 11:41 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 11:41 mean?

1 Chronicles 11:41 lists Uriah the Hittite and Zabad the son of Ahlai as members of David’s mighty men. This verse is part of a longer list naming the distinguished warriors who served under King David.

This list is found in a section where the writer of 1 Chronicles is recording the names of those who played a key role in supporting David’s rise and reign as king of Israel. Uriah the Hittite is notable elsewhere in the Bible as the husband of Bathsheba, and Zabad is less well-known but is identified here by his father’s name, Ahlai. The verse simply records their names as a way of honoring their service.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 11:41

  • אוּרִיָּה (Uriah, transliterated "Uriyyah") means “Yahweh is my light.” His inclusion here highlights that even non-Israelites (Uriah was a Hittite) could be counted among David’s elite warriors.
  • הַחִתִּי (Hittite, transliterated "haḥitti") identifies Uriah’s ethnic background, showing the diversity within David’s forces.
  • זָבָד (Zabad, transliterated "Zāvad") is a Hebrew name meaning “gift,” and he is further identified by his father.
  • בֶּן (son, transliterated "ben") and אַחְלָי (Ahlai, transliterated "Aḥlai") show the typical Hebrew way of identifying someone by their parentage, which was important for tracing lineage and family honor.

Why 1 Chronicles 11:41 matters

  • This verse reminds readers that David’s supporters came from varied backgrounds, including foreigners like Uriah, which shows the openness of David’s leadership.
  • The listing of names, including lesser-known figures like Zabad, emphasizes that many individuals contributed to Israel’s history, not just the most famous ones.
  • By naming Uriah, the Chronicler also indirectly recalls the later tragic events involving David and Bathsheba, adding depth to the narrative for those familiar with the wider story.

Where else these words appear

“Ahlai” Hebrew H304 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:31 And the sons of Appaim; Ishi. And the sons of Ishi; Sheshan. And the children of Sheshan; Ahlai.

“Zabad” Hebrew H2066 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:36 And Attai begat Nathan, and Nathan begat Zabad,
  • 1 Chronicles 7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.
  • Ezra 10:27 And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.

“Uriah” Hebrew H223 · used in 33 verses

  • 2 Samuel 11:3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
  • 2 Samuel 11:16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
  • 2 Kings 16:11 And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.

“Hittite” Hebrew H2850 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 15:20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
  • Numbers 13:29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
  • 2 Samuel 11:21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.