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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Abishai
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ABISHAI.—Son of Zeruiah, David’s step-sister (2Sa_17:25, 1Ch_2:16). His brothers were Joab and Asahel (2Sa_2:18). He was a hot-tempered, ruthless soldier. Accompanying David into Saul’s camp, he would fain have killed the sleeper (1Sa_26:7). An editorial addition (2Sa_3:30) associates him with Joab in the blood-revenge taken on Abner. Abishai was second in command of the army (2Sa_10:1-19; 2Sa_18:1-33), and if we make a slight necessary correction at 2Sa_23:18 f., we find that he was first of the famous thirty. He is credited with the slaughter of three hundred foes, and David once owed his life to Abishai’s interposition (2Sa_23:18; 2Sa_21:16 f.). Notwithstanding their relationship and their usefulness, there was a natural antipathy between the king and the two brothers (2Sa_3:39).
J. Taylor.