Abishai was family: the son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and brother of Joab and Asahel (1 Chronicles 2:16). He was also one of the fiercest fighters David ever had.
Chief of the Thirty
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, though he did not attain to the Three (2 Samuel 23:18–19; 1 Chronicles 11:20–21).
Into Saul's Camp at Night
When David asked who would go down with him into Saul's camp, Abishai said, "I will go down with thee" (1 Samuel 26:6). He wanted to pin Saul to the ground with one strike; David refused to lift his hand against the LORD's anointed, and they took Saul's spear and water jar instead (1 Samuel 26:7–12).
He Saved the King's Life
Late in David's life, David grew faint in battle and the giant Ishbi-benob, with a bronze spearhead weighing three hundred shekels, meant to kill him. "But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him" (2 Samuel 21:16–17).
A Commander in War
He led half of Israel's army against the Ammonites (2 Samuel 10:10–14) and struck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt (1 Chronicles 18:12).
What Abishai Teaches Young Men
Be the man who says "I will go." Abishai's courage was fierce, and David's restraint taught him that courage must stay under God's authority.
41 bold coloring pages of King David's warriors, straight from 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Ages 5–99+. Paperback, $9.99.
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