Abishai

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Abishai the son of Zeruiah

A fierce brother of Joab who worries David.

David asks Ahimelech to scout out Saul's army

David saw Saul and his army were camped nearby on the hill of Hachilah when he was hiding in the wilderness of Ziph. David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Joab's brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah to go into the camp of Saul, and Abishai agreed to go with him. (1 Samuel 26:6)

Battle of Gibeon

Abishai was at Gibeon under Joab his brother in the name of David to fight the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, led by Abner the son of Ner. When Joab killed Asahel, Joab and Abishai pursued Abner until the sun started going down. The people of Benjamin gathered behind Abner to make a stand on the top of a hill. Abner convinced Joab to cease battle, so they took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father in Bethlehem. They returned to Hebron in the morning, having lost 20 men vs. Ish-bosheth's 360. (2 Samuel 2)

David saw Saul and his army were camped nearby on the hill of Hachilah when he was hiding in the wilderness of Ziph. David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Joab's brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah to go into the camp of Saul, and Abishai agreed to go with him. They went into the camp at night and saw Saul sleeping with Abner the son of Ner and the army of 3000 around him, but the LORD had sent a deep sleep so no one noticed. Abishai saw the LORD had given Saul into their hands and said he could kill him in one hit. David told him guilt would be upon anyone who strikes the LORD's anointed, but regardless, the LORD would strike him or he would die in battle someday. Instead, they took the spear that was stuck in the ground near Saul's head and the jar of water. (1 Samuel 26)

David's mighty men were divided into the three and the thirty. Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was the chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three. He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three.

(2 Samuel 23:18-19)

Abishai murdered Abner

Joab and Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. (2 Samuel 3:30)

Abishai defends against the Ammonites and Syrians

When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men. And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, while the Syrians of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

When Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. The rest, he put under charge of Abishai and arrayed them against the Ammonites. "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him."

So Joab and the people drew near to battle, and the Syrians fled before them. The Ammonites fled in turn. Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

Hadadezer brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates under commander Shobach, but they fled and were defeated by King David. All kings who were servants to Hadadezer made peace with Israel, and the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.

(2 Samuel 10)

Abishai threatens Shimei as he curses David during his flight from Absalom

As King David was fleeing Absalom's conspiracy, he came to Bahurim, and Shimei, the son of Gera, came out while cursing continually and throwing stones.

“Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! 8 The Lord has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.”

Abishai asked, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head." David rebuked him, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.” David continued on the road while Shimei went along the hillside, cursing, throwing stones, and flinging dust as he went.

(2 Samuel 16)

Abishai leads a third in David's battle against Absalom and Israel

David send out the army, one third under Joab, one third under Abishai the son of Zeruiah, and one third under Ittai the Gittite. David ordered them to deal gently with Absalom, and all the men heard him. (2 Samuel 18:1-5)

The battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim across all the country, and Israel's loss was great against David's servants, 20,000 men. The forest devoured more than the sword.

Joab blew the trumpet and restrained his troops. They took Absalom's body and threw him in a great pit in the forest and piled stones on him.

(2 Samuel 18:1-18)

Abishai wants to put Shimei the son of Gera to death as Shimei meets David to escort him back to Jerusalem as king after the battle against Israel and Absalom

Shimei is first of the house of Joseph to meet David and asks for forgiveness as he knows he sinned. Abishai asks, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?” David replied, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” David gave his oath to Shimei, “You shall not die.”

(2 Samuel 19:16-23)

When Amasa failed to assemble Judah and himself, David sent Abishai to stop Sheba's rebellion

Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite, led Israel and the Bichrites away from him, saying, "We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!” Meanwhile, Judah steadfastly stayed by David from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

David told Amasa, "Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.” Amasa tried but delayed beyond the set time appointed him. David told Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord's servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us,” and he leads Joab's men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men.

Amasa met them at the great stone that is in Gibeon, and Joab went like he was greeting him with a kiss then killed him with his sword. Joab and Abishai went on, pursuing Sheba.

Joab led a siege against Abel of Beth-maacah and ultimately a wise woman resolved the fight by sending Sheba's head over the wall, and they returned to Jerusalem.

(2 Samuel 20)

Planescape: Torment

Tall, black, reptilian fiends with bat wings. They can only be hurt by magic. (Xanthia)

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