The Patriarch of the Faithful Ahohite Lineage
The biblical record frequently honors the fathers of great men, establishing a legacy of faithfulness that spans generations. Dodo is one such figure, a man of the tribe of Benjamin whose enduring fame is secured because he fathered Eleazar, one of the three most celebrated, uncompromisingly loyal warriors in the court of King David. His name signifies a lineage dedicated to the cause of the anointed King.
The Father of the Mighty Man
Dodo is identified as an Ahohite, a designation for a family line within the tribe of Benjamin. This lineage is first noted through his son, Eleazar, who was counted among the “Three,” David’s elite corps of personal champions:
“And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:” (II Samuel 23:9, KJV)
The fame of Dodo’s house is cemented by his son’s single, courageous act of physical obedience and commitment. Eleazar stood with David and the two other mighty men against the Philistines, after the main forces of Israel had retreated. His unflinching loyalty and extraordinary valour in the face of abandonment by the wider army is the gold standard of unwavering conviction.
The passage further notes:
“He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.” (II Samuel 23:10, KJV)
Dodo’s legacy is tied to this moment of supreme fidelity: the patriarch of a line that would not compromise its commitment to the King’s mission, even when doing so seemed hopeless and life-threatening.
The Other Dodo
Scripture records at least one other significant figure bearing this name, demonstrating a heritage of leadership:
- Dodo the Bethlehemite: He was the father of Elhanan, a key military leader in David’s army (II Samuel 23:24; I Chronicles 11:26). This Elhanan was also counted among the prestigious “Thirty” mighty men, further confirming that the name Dodo was associated with military excellence and leadership within the realm of the anointed king.
The Theological Principle of Lineage
The inclusion of Dodo’s name in the sacred roll is a subtle but powerful reminder that faithfulness is often generational. He represents the quiet, dedicated patriarch whose principles and commitment shaped a son capable of achieving greatness for God’s purposes. Dodo’s life is a witness to the truth that every great act of faith in action is rooted in the instruction, piety, and lineage established by those who came before.
He stands as an eternal monument to the foundational importance of a loyal, dedicated house serving the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, whose lineage is secured by the faithfulness of His servants.