Abishai Series

ABISHAI

ABISHAI was the eldest son of David's sister Zeruiah. He was the brother of Joab and Asahel. According to Josephus (Antiquities, VII, 1, 3), his father was called Suri. The meaning of his name is "Father of a gift."

Abishai was the only one who accompanied David when he went to the camp of Saul and took the spear and water bottle from Saul as he slept.

He had the command of one of the three divisions of David's army at the battle with Absalom. He was the commander and "most honored" of the second rank of David's officers, below the three "mighty men." During one of his missions, he was said to lead an army of camels to fight against a horde of enemies. On one occasion, he withstood 300 men and slew them with his spear.

Abishai slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David's life. He once killed 300 men with his spear and helped with the killing of Absalom. Once, his brother, Asahel, who could run as fast as a gazelle, fought in battle with Abner, the general of Israel's army, and was killed by the back of his spear. Abishai, at this point, was so enraged at the murder of Asahel that he killed Abner at a later time with Joab, his brother.

Abishai at one time killed three hundred men with a spear, and he was chief of the thirty men known for their valor. Joab was the commander in chief of the army.

Abishai was noted for taking the lead in striking down 18,000 Edomites and, again, in leading in the rout of the Ammonites.

Abishai proved his loyalty to David on several occasions; the most notable one was toward the end of David’s reign when he saved his life.

ILLUSTRATION: There is a story about a crazy older woman who was known to be crazy because she would walk down the streets talking to herself. One of her best-known pastimes was talking to Jesus, and Jesus would talk back. One day a new preacher came to town and thought that perhaps he might be able to cure her of this abnormal activity. So one day, he spied her on the street and went over to talk to her:

"I hear that you often talk to Jesus?" he remarked.

"Oh yes," she replied. "Jesus and I often have long talks together."

"Would you do me a favor?" he inquired. "The next time you talk to Jesus, could you ask him what the last sin I confessed to Him was?"

She agreed, and the next day as he walked down the sidewalk, he saw her again and went to her.

"Did you ask Jesus the question?" he asked.

"Oh yes," she exclaimed. "Jesus and I talked about it for a long time."

"Oh," he said thoughtfully. "Well, what did He say my last confessed sin was?"

"He said He did not remember."

Romans 8:1 -Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Knowing that Jesus does not remember our past is a great comfort. I may remember, but Jesus does not. Let us keep that in mind.

More About Abishai

• ABISHAI ? bi’ shi; Meaning uncertain.The oldest son of Zeruiah, a sister of David, and the brother of Joab and Asahel (1 Chron 2:16; Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.).

• Abishai first appeared with David in the wilderness of Ziph when pursued by Saul. Abishai volunteered to go with David into the center of Saul’s sleeping army. Standing by the drowsy Saul, he offered to kill him with one thrust of his sword, but David restrained him (1 Sam 26:6-9).

• In the warfare between Judah and Israel after the death of Saul, Abner killed Asahel. Sometime later, Abner decided to assist David in acquiring the throne over Israel. Nevertheless, Abishai assisted Joab in murdering Abner in revenge for the killing of Asahel. David declared himself and his kingdom guiltless of the murderous act of Joab and Abishai (2 Sam 2:18, 24; 3:30).

• During Absalom’s rebellion, Abishai remained loyal to David. When David left Jerusalem surrounded by his mighty men, Shimei of the family of Saul cursed David and threw stones at him from a nearby hillside. Aroused to anger, Abishai said: “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head” (2 Sam 16:9). Here, again, David restrained Abishai’s impetuous, bloodthirsty spirit (v. 11). Abishai was set over one-third of David’s army to resist the attack of the Israelite army of Absalom under Amasa at Gilead (2 Sam 18:2). With Joab and Ittai, Abishai was ordered by David to “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom” (2 Sam 18:5). In the battle with the Ammonites assisted by the Syrians, Abishai attacked the Ammonite sector while Joab attacked the Syrians. Joab and Abishai were successful in their respective battles (2 Sam 10:10, 14). Abishai commanded an army that conquered the Edomites, killing 18,000 Edomites and placing garrisons in Edom (1 Chron 18:12, 13).