ABISHAI

A son of Zeruiah, David’s sister, brother of Joab and Asahel, one of the bravest of David’s mighty men, 1Ch 2:16, and always faithful to his royal uncle. He went with him alone to the tent of Saul, 1Sa 26:7-11; and was a leader in the war with Ish-bosheth, 2Sa 2.18,24, in the war with the Edomites, 1Ch 18:12,13, and with the Syrians and Ammonites, 2Sa 10:10. In a battle with the Philistines, he rescued David, and slew Ishbi-benob the giant, 2Sa 21:16,17. He lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, 2Sa 23:18; and was with David in the affairs of Shimei, Absalom, and Sheb, 2Sa 16:9 18:2 20:6,7.

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Abishai. Abishai
Father of (i.e., “desirous of”) a gift, the eldest son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. He was the brother of Joab and Asahel (2 Sam. 2:18; 1 Chr. 2:16). Abishai was the only one who accompanied David when he went to the camp of Saul and took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster (1 Sam. 26:5-12). He had the command of one of the three divisions of David’s army at the battle with Absalom (2 Sam. 18:2,5,12). He slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David’s life (2 Sam. 21:15-17). He was the chief of the second rank of the three “mighties” (2 Sam. 23:18, 19; 1 Chr. 11:20,21); and on one occasion withstood 300 men, and slew them with his own spear (2 Sam. 23:18). Abishai is the name of the Semitic chief who offers gifts to the lord of Beni-Hassan. See illustration facing page 10.

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Abishai. the present of my father

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ABISHAI. → Son of Zeruiah, David's sister 1Ch 2:16 → One of David's chief men 2Sa 23:18 → Seeks Saul's life 1Sa 26:6-8 → Pursues and kills Abner 2Sa 2:24; 3:30 → Defeats the Edomites 1Ch 18:12 → Defeats the Ammonites 2Sa 10:10,14 → Seeks the life of Shimei 2Sa 16:9; 19:21 → Leads a division of David's army against Absalom 2Sa 18:2,5 → Overthrows Sheba 2Sa 20:1-22 → Saves David from being slain by a Philistine 2Sa 21:17 → Obtains water from the well of Bethlehem for David 1Ch 11:15-20

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son of David's sister, Zeruiah 1Sa 26:6; 2Sa 2:18; 3:30; 10:10; 16:9; 18:2; 19:21; 21:17 2Sa 23:18; 1Ch 18:12