Abishai means “my father is Jesse” or “my father is a gift,” and his mother was one of David’s sisters (1 Chr. 2:13–16). Jesse was David’s father and Abishai was one of Jesse’s grandsons. Abishai was the most renowned of David’s thirty mighty men, but he was not one of the first three (11:21). Abishai’s younger brother, the fast runner Asahel, was killed by Saul’s general (2 Sam. 2).

Remarkably, the powerful Joab, who became David’s leading general, was not counted among David’s mighty men, the three or the thirty, whereas Abishai was. Joab may have been a believer, but he was marked by selfish interests. In contrast, Abishai was characterized by faith and true love of David, as were the other mighty men who were always committed to David. Abishai had been at David’s side when king Saul had hotly pursued them (1 Sam. 26). David might have had the opportunity to kill Saul, but refused to do so, even against Abishai’s advice (vv. 9–11).

Nevertheless, Abishai defended David several times and remained his loyal supporter. “There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants … thought to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, ‘You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel’” (2 Sam. 21:15–17 esv). The four giants in Gath, including Goliath, “fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants” (v. 22). Praise God!

May we be like Abishai: faithful warriors for our Lord Jesus (2 Cor. 10:3–5).