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 Samuel 2:18)
(1 Chronicles 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 Samuel 26:5-12) He had the command of one of
the three divisions of David's army at the battle with Absalom
(2 Samuel 18:2,5,12) He slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who
threatened David's life
(2 Samuel 21:15-17) He was the chief of the
second rank of the three "mighties"
(2 Samuel 23:18,19; 1 Chronicles 11:20,21)
and on one occasion withstood 300 men, and slew them with his own
spear
(2 Samuel 23:18) Abishai is the name of the Semitic chief who
offers gifts to the lord of Beni-Hassan.
