Abishai

(2 Sam. 2:18) (father of a gift) — son of Zeruiah. He was David’s nephew, Joab’s brother, and served in David’s army. He accompanied David to Saul’s camp, where they found him asleep in his tent, and Abishai took with him Saul’s spear and the cruse of water at his head (1 Sam. 26:4–12). Abishai, together with his brother Joab, attacked and defeated the Syrians and Ammonites (2 Sam. 10). David appointed him, together with Joab and Ittai, commander of his people when he went out against the Israelites, and a battle took place between the two armies in the forest of Ephraim (2 Sam. 18:2).

Afterward he saved David’s life by striking down and killing the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who intended to strike David (2 Sam. 21:16–17). The victory over the Edomites in the Valley of Salt is ascribed to David in 2 Samuel 8:13, but to Abishai in 1 Chronicles 18:12. It is possible that Abishai in fact won the victory, but since he was only David’s commander, it could easily have been credited to the king himself. Finally, Abishai, together with his brother Joab, took part in the killing of Abner, in revenge for his having slain their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon (2 Sam. 3:30).