Asahel

Asahel opens the roll call of the thirty as Joab's brother — his presence on the list adds poignancy since he was killed early in David's reign, yet is still counted among these honored warriors.

Asahel is the emotional core of Joab's motive — his death at Abner's hand in battle is the unhealed wound that drives Joab to commit a premeditated murder dressed up as justice.

Asahel appears here at the head of the full roster as Joab's brother — his inclusion on the list carries the shadow of his later death, but here he is simply counted among the loyal warriors who stood with David.