Bible Dictionaries
Abishai

Holman Bible Dictionary

(uhb' ih ssha i) Personal name meaning, “father exists.” Son of David's sister Zeruiah and brother of Joab, David's general (1 Chronicles 2:15-16 ). He was with David when he spared Abner (1 Samuel 26:7 ) and with Joab pursuing Abner (2 Samuel 2:24 ) and killing Abner (2 Samuel 3:30 ). He commanded troops against Ammon (2 Samuel 10:1 ). He sought to kill Shimei for cursing David, but the king restrained him (2 Samuel 16:1; 2 Samuel 19:21 ). He led a third of David's troops against David's son Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1 ). He commanded forces against Sheba, who led a northern rebellion against David (2 Samuel 20:1 ). He killed Isbi-benob, the Philistine giant who threatened David (2 Samuel 21:15-17 ). A mighty captain, he was still not among David's elite three (2 Samuel 23:8-19 ). He was famed for killing 18,000 Edomites (1 Chronicles 18:12 ).