Proposes to kill Saul, 1Sa 26:5-9;
pursues Abner, 2Sa 2:18-24;
wants to kill Shimei, 2Sa 16:9-11; 2Sa 19:21;
defeats the Edomites, 1Ch 18:12.
Abishai (Heb. ‘Abîshay or ‘Abshay, possibly the Father exists” or “father of a gift”). Nephew of David and brother of Joab and Asael (1Ch 2:16), one of David’s notable warriors. He remained loyal to David when he was persecuted by Saul (1Sa 26:7-12), and when he clashed with Abner (2Sa 2:18-25) and the Philistines (21:16, 17). He took part in Abner’s murder in revenge, for which he was cursed by David (3:28-30). He fought with Joab against the Ammonites (10:6-14) and against Absalom (18:2, 5, 12). Abishai had a leading role in the fight against the rebellious Sheba (20:6) and against the Edomites in the Valley of Salt (1Ch 18:12, 13).
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
Son of Sarvia, the sister of David, and brother of Joab and Asael. He was impetuous and brave, cruel and unforgiving to his enemies, but always extremely loyal to David. He advised David to kill Saul while he slept (1Sa 26:6-9). He assisted Joab in the murder of Abner, who had killed his brother Asael (2Sa 3:30). He was faithful to David when Absalom and Sheba rebelled and wanted to kill Shimei for cursing David (2Sa 16: 5-14). He defeated a large Edomite army (1Ch 18:12-13). In David’s last years, he rescued the king in battle with Isbi-benob, the Philistine giant (2Sa 21:17).
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
(My father exists). One of David’s nephews, along with Joab and Asael, sons of Sarvia. He always stood out as a brave warrior loyal to David. He accompanied David when Saul was chasing him, even went with him to the king’s camp while he slept and encouraged David to kill him, but David refused. David ordered him to take only the spear and the pot of water that Saul was carrying (1Sa 26:5-15).
He shared with his brother Joab the command of the army in the war against the Syrians and the Ammonites, who were defeated (2Sa 10:9-19). He brought the Edomites into subjection (1Ch 18:12-13). He saved David at a time when he was in danger of being pierced by the spear of a giant Philistine (2Sa 21: 16-17). He had a victory over 300 Philistines (1Ch 11:20). He is mentioned as the most renowned of David’s thirty chief mighty men (1Ch 11:21). A. collaborated in the death of †¢Abner (2Sa 3:30). When David was fleeing from Jerusalem because of Absalom’s rebellion, A. wanted to kill Shimei, who had come cursing the king (2Sa 16:9-10). He wanted to do the same when Shimei asked for forgiveness (2Sa 19: 19-20).
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
tip, BIOG HOMB HOAT HSHA = “source of wealth” or “father of the gift”. Son of Sarvia, the half sister of David, and brother of Joab. He served David for many years as one of his mighty men. He went with David to Saul’s camp while Saul slept (1 Sam. 25:6-9), and expressed an intention to kill him, which David opposed (1 Sam. 26:5-9). Together with Joab, he treacherously avenged Abner for the fair death of his brother Asael (2 Sam. 2:18-24; 3:30). He remained faithful to David during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 18:2).
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(possibly: Father Is).
Son of one of David’s sisters or half-sisters, Zeruyah, and brother of Joab and Asahel. (2Sa 2:18; 1Ch 2:15, 16)
His bravery set him apart from the thirty mighty warriors under his command. His reputation even rivaled that of David’s three mightiest men, for on one occasion he single-handedly felled three hundred enemies, but †“did not reach the level of the top three†. (2Sa 23:18, 19)
Abishai loyally supported his uncle David in all his military campaigns, but he was impulsive and at times ruthless and had to be restrained. For example, when he sneaked into Saul’s military camp with David one night, he would have killed “Jehovah’s anointed” while he slept, using his own spear, if David had not prevented him. (1Sa 26:6-9) During Absalom’s rebellion, he had to be restrained twice from executing Shimei for cursing the king. However, David could not prevent him from collaborating in killing Abner. (2Sa 3:30; 16:9-11; 19:21-23)
Abishai became famous for bringing down 18,000 Edomites with his men and defeating the Ammonites. He also participated in putting down the rebellion of Sheba, a Benjamite † œwho was good for nothing †. During David’s last recorded battle, he would have been killed by a Philistine giant had it not been for Abishai. (1Ch 18:12; 19:11-15; 2Sa 20:1, 6; 21:15-17)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
(heb. ˒aḇı̂šay, ‘father of don’ or ‘my father is Jesse’; in °vrv3 “Abisay”). Son of Sarvia and brother of Joab and Asael (2 S. 2.18). 2 Sam. 23.18 and Chr. 11.20–21 point to him as the chief of “the three” (°vm), which must mean (as the Vg. translates) “the second group of three”, which follow in order from “the three” of 2 Sam. 23.8–12. However, two ms(s). heb. and the vss. sir. understand him to be the chief of “the thirty” in 2 Sam. 23:18–19 and 1 Chron. 11:20, as in °vrv2. As a high ranking officer in David’s army he had an eventful career.
GWG
Douglas, J. (2000). New Biblical Dictionary: First Edition. Miami: United Bible Societies.
Source: New Bible Dictionary