Meaning
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 (2Sam 2:18; 1Chr 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 (1Sam 26:5-12). He had the command of one of the three divisions of David's army at the battle with Absalom (2Sam 18:2, 5, 12). He slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David's life (2Sam 21:15-17). He was the chief of the second rank of the three "mighties" (2Sam 23:18, 19; 1Chr 11:20, 21); and on one occasion withstood 300 men, and slew them with his own spear (2Sam 23:18). Abishai is the name of the Semitic chief who offers gifts to the lord of Beni-Hassan. See illustration facing page 10.
