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ABISHAI
David’s nephew, son of Zeruiah (by an unnamed father) and brother of Joab and Asahel (1 Chr 2:16). Abishai volunteered to accompany David to Saul’s camp one night and would have killed the sleeping Saul if David had not restrained him (1 Sm 26:6-12). He also helped Joab kill Abner, Saul’s general, in revenge for the death of another brother (2 Sm 3:30). Later Abishai won a victory over the Edomites (1 Chr 18:12-13) and was second in command in a decisive battle against the Ammonites (1 Chr 19:10-15). Often vengeful and cruel, Abishai wanted to behead the spiteful Shimei during Absalom’s rebellion, but again David intervened (2 Sm 16:5-12; 19:21-23). When King David fled beyond the Jordan, Abishai was given command of one of David’s three divisions that crushed the rebellion (2 Sm 18:1-15).
In a later battle with the Philistines, Abishai saved David’s life by killing the giant Ishbi-benob (2 Sm 21:15-17). He ranked among David’s bravest warriors (2 Sm 23:18-19; 1 Chr 11:20-21).