Dictionary Summary:Father of (i.e., “desirous of”) a gift, the eldest son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. He was the brother of Joab and Asahel ([2 Sam. 2:18](/2sam#2Sam.2.18); [1 Chr. 2:16](/1chr#1Chr.2.16)). Abishai was the only one who accompanied David when he went to the camp of Saul and took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster ([1 Sam. 26:5-12](/1sam#1Sam.26.5)). He had the command of one of the three divisions of David’s army at the battle with Absalom ([2 Sam. 18:2](/2sam#2Sam.18.2), [5](/2sam#2Sam.18.5), [12](/2sam#2Sam.18.12)). He slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David’s life ([2 Sam. 21:15-17](/2sam#2Sam.21.15)). He was the chief of the second rank of the three “mighties” ([2 Sam. 23:18](/2sam#2Sam.23.18), [19](/2sam#2Sam.23.19); [1 Chr. 11:20](/1chr#1Chr.11.20), [21](/1chr#1Chr.11.21)); and on one occasion withstood 300 men, and slew them with his own spear ([2 Sam. 23:18](/2sam#2Sam.23.18)). Abishai is the name of the Semitic chief who offers gifts to the lord of Beni-Hassan. See illustration facing page 10. ²