Abishai

The son of David's sister, Zeruiah, and brother to Joab and Asahel. Abishai was one of David's most loyal companions throughout his wanderings and after he became king. One of David's "mighty men" (II Sam 23:18-19; I Chr 2:16; 11:20), Abishai assisted his uncle in the latter's military campaigns. Abishai was impulsive and ruthless: when he and David stole into Saul's camp by night, he would have killed Saul had David not restrained him (I Sam 26:6-9). Abishai and his brothers defeated Saul's son Ishbosheth at Gibeon. After the battle they pursued Abner, the commander of Saul's army; during the pursuit, Abner killed Asahel (II Sam 2:18-24). Later, although Abner had meanwhile sided with David, Joab and Abishai avenged their brother's death by killing Abner (II Sam 3:30).

Abishai achieved renown by defeating the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, a battle in which 18,000 Edomites were killed (I Chr 18:12). Subsequently, he routed the Ammonites (II Sam 10:14; I Chr 19:11-15). Abishai helped crush the rebellion of Sheba, the son of Bichri (II Sam 20:1-7). During one of David's battles against the Philistines, Abishai saved the king's life from a Philistine giant "the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels" (II Sam 21:15-17). When Absalom rebelled against his father David, Abishai commanded one-third of the king's forces (II Sam 18:2). On two occasions David had to restrain Abishai from beheading Shimei, one of Absalom's supporters, who had cursed the king (II Sam 16:5-14; 19:21-23).