Abishai
Abishai, the son of Zeruiah and nephew to King David, stood out among the mighty men for his fierce loyalty and bravery in service to the anointed king. He joined David in approaching Saul's camp by night, ready to strike yet yielding to the command that preserved the Lord's chosen one from harm. Later, Abishai rescued David from the giant Ishbi-benob, affirming his place in the redemptive narrative as a protector of the royal line destined to bring forth the Savior.
Biography
- Occupation
- warrior
- Tribe
- Judah
- Mother
- Zeruiah
- Era
- United Monarchy
- Nationality
- Israelite
Family
Did You Know?
Abishai once slew three hundred enemies single-handedly with his spear during one battle, earning him a place as chief among David's mighty men alongside his brothers Joab and Asahel.
In a daring nighttime incursion into Saul's camp, Abishai stood over the sleeping king with spear in hand ready to strike but heeded David's order to spare the Lord's anointed, instead removing Saul's spear and water jug as evidence of their visit.
Abishai rescued David from death by killing the giant Ishbi-Benob, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who had vowed to slay the king during combat at Gob.
Abishai commanded eighteen thousand Israelite troops to a decisive victory over the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, contributing to David's consolidation of power in the region.
When Shimei cursed and stoned David during his flight from Absalom, Abishai impulsively offered to behead the offender on the spot, only to be restrained by the king's command to let the man live.
Key Passages
Abishai spares Saul with David
1 Samuel 26:6-9
Abishai accompanies David into Saul's camp and urges him to kill the king, but obeys David's command to spare Saul's life.
6hen answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
Abishai rescues David from Ishbi-benob
2 Samuel 21:16-17
Abishai intervenes to save David from a Philistine giant, demonstrating his loyalty and bravery as a protector of the king.
16nd Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
Abishai listed among David's mighty men
2 Samuel 23:18-19
Abishai is honored as chief among the thirty mighty men for slaying three hundred men with his spear.
18nd Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.