Abishai — Bible person

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.

People and places

Recorded scripture occurrences (24)

References recorded in the source data; this is not an exhaustive list of mentions.

Show passage in OET: SA1 26:6

OET-RV SA1 26:6

6 David spoke to Ahimelek (the Hiti) and to Avishay (son of Yoav’s (Joab’s) brother Tseruyah) asking, “Who’ll go into the camp with me to Sha’ul?”
¶ Avishay answered, “I will. I’ll go with you.”

OET-LV SA1 26:6

6 And_ Dāvid _he _answered and_he/it _said to ʼAḩīmelek the_Hittite and_near/to ʼAⱱīshay the _son _of Tsərū^yāh/(Zeruiah) the _brother _of Yōʼāⱱ/(Joab) to_say who will _he _go _down with_me to Shāʼūl/(Saul) into the_camp and_ ʼAⱱīshay _he/it _said I I _will _go _down with_you.

Show passage in OET: SA1 26:7

OET-RV SA1 26:7

7 So that night David and Avishay crept into the camp. Sha’ul was asleep there in the centre with his spear stuck into the ground near his head, and Avner and others were lying in a circle around him.

OET-LV SA1 26:7

7 And_ Dāvid and_ʼAⱱīshay _he _went to the_people night and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE Shāʼūl was_lying sleeping in_camp and_spear _of_his was_thrust in/on _the_earth mmm and_ʼAⱱnēr and_the_people were_lying mmm.

Show passage in OET: SA1 26:8

OET-RV SA1 26:8

8 Avishay whispered to David, “Today God has arranged for you to defeat your enemy. So please let me pierce him now with the spear through him and into the ground. Only one strike will do it—I won’t have to strike him a second time.

OET-LV SA1 26:8

8 And_ ʼAⱱīshay _he/it _said to Dāvid god he _has _delivered _up the_day DOM enemy _of_your in_hand _of_your and_now let_me _strike _him please with_spear and_in_ground a _time one and_not I _will _repeat to_him/it.

Jump to OET SA1 26:6 section.

Jump to OET SA1 26:7 section.

Jump to OET SA1 26:8 section.

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