Abishai (biblical figure)

Abishai was a military leader under the biblical King David. He was the eldest son of David's sister Zeruiah. According to Josephus (Antiquities, VII, 1, 3) his father was called Suri.^[1] The meaning of his name is "Father of a gift".^[2] He was the brother of Joab and Asahel.^[3]

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.^[4]

After a battle between Judah and Israel, his brother Asahel chased the northern army's general Abner, and was killed by the back of Abner's spear.^[5] Joab and Abishai were enraged at the death of Asahel, and later murdered Abner. David disowned responsibility for the murder, led a national lament for Abner, and pronounced a curse on Joab and Abishai, saying, "these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me; the LORD reward the evildoer according to his wickedness."^[6]

Abishai had the command of one of the three divisions of David's army at the battle with Absalom.^[7] He was the commander and "most honoured" of the second rank of David's officers, below the three "mighty men".^[8] On one occasion, he withstood 300 men and slew them with his own spear.^[9]

Abishai slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David's life.^[10] In the Haggadah, this incident is elaborated with miraculous details.^[11] The Sanhedrin tractate in the Talmud says that Orpah (mother of Goliath and Ishbi-benob)was killed by King David's general Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, with her own spindle.^[12]

^ Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquaties, VII, 1, 3.
^ Cheyne and Black (1899), Encyclopaedia Biblica, entry for Abishai.
^ 2 Sam 2:18; 1 Chr 2:16
^ 1 Sam 26:5–12
^ 2 Sam 2:11–24
^ 2 Sam 3:26–39
^ 2 Sam 18:2,5,12
^ 2 Sam 23:18,19; 1 Chr 11:20,21
^ 2 Sam 23:18
^ 2 Sam 21:15–17
^ Kent, Charles Foster; Ginzberg, Louis (1901–1906). "Abishai or Abshai". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
^ Talmud Sanhedrin 95a

[1] Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquaties, VII, 1, 3.

[2] Cheyne and Black (1899), Encyclopaedia Biblica, entry for Abishai.

[3] 2 Sam 2:18; 1 Chr 2:16

[4] 1 Sam 26:5–12

[5] 2 Sam 2:11–24

[6] 2 Sam 3:26–39

[7] 2 Sam 18:2,5,12

[8] 2 Sam 23:18,19; 1 Chr 11:20,21

[9] 2 Sam 23:18

[10] 2 Sam 21:15–17

[11] Kent, Charles Foster; Ginzberg, Louis (1901–1906). "Abishai or Abshai". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.

[12] Talmud Sanhedrin 95a

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]