King James Bible Dictionary

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 Samuel 2:18; 1 Chronicles 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 Samuel 26:5-12). He had the command of one of the three divisions of David's army at the battle with Absalom (2 Samuel 18:2, 5, 12). He slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David's life (2 Samuel 21:15-17). He was the chief of the second rank of the three "mighties" (2 Samuel 23:18, 19; 1 Chronicles 11:20, 21); and on one occasion withstood 300 men, and slew them with his own spear (2 Samuel 23:18). Abishai is the name of the Semitic chief who offers gifts to the lord of Beni-Hassan. See illustration facing page 10.

the present of my father

Son of Zeruiah, David's sister
1 Chronicles 2:16

One of David's chief men
2 Samuel 23:18

Seeks Saul's life
1 Samuel 26:6-8

Pursues and slays Abner
2 Samuel 2:24; 2 Samuel 3:30

Defeats the Edomites
1 Chronicles 18:12

Defeats the Ammonites
2 Samuel 10:10; 2 Samuel 10:14

Seeks the life of Shimei
2 Samuel 16:9; 2 Samuel 19:21

Leads a division of David's army against Absalom
2 Samuel 18:2; 2 Samuel 18:5

Overthrows Sheba
2 Samuel 20:1-22

Saves David from being slain by a Philistine
2 Samuel 21:17

Obtains water from the well of Bethlehem for David
1 Chronicles 11:15-20

(father of a gift), The eldest of the three sons of Zeruiah, David's sister, and brother to Joab and Asahel. (1 Chronicles 2:16) Like his two brothers he was the devoted follower of David. He was his companion in the desperate night expedition to the camp of Saul. (1 Samuel 26:6-9) (B.C. 1055.) On the outbreak of Absalom's rebellion he remained true to the king, and commanded a third part of the army in the decisive battle against Absalom. He rescued David from the hands of the gigantic Philistine, Ishbi-benob. (2 Samuel 21:17) His personal prowess on this, as on another occasion, when he fought singlehanded against three hundred, won for him a place as captain of the second three of David's mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20)