Boy Old Testament Known
Abishai
the present of my father
אֲבִישַׁי a.vi.shay
Abishai (Hebrew: אֲבִישַׁי, a.vi.shay) means “the present of my father”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 25 verses across 3 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 16 children in the United States. Appears with Ahimelech in 1 Samuel 26.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Abishai
son of Zeruiah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 25 across 3 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 16 | Steady |
| All-time total | 359 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 25 in 2022 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Samuel 26:6 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 19:15 |
| Cross-references | 370 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Asahel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Zeruiah.
- Zeruiah co-occurrence Appears with Zeruiah in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Joab co-occurrence Appears with Joab in 2 Samuel 18.
- Ahimelech co-occurrence Appears with Ahimelech in 1 Samuel 26.
- Ittai co-occurrence Appears with Ittai in 2 Samuel 18.
- Ishmaiah co-occurrence Appears with Ishmaiah in 1 Chronicles 12.
- Jahaziel co-occurrence Appears with Jahaziel in 1 Chronicles 12.
- Johanan co-occurrence Appears with Johanan in 1 Chronicles 12.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.26.6 and Zeruiah (H6870);
brother of: Joab (H3097) and Asahel (H6214)
§ Abishai = "my father is Jesse" or "my father is a gift"
grandson of Jesse, nephew of David via his sister Zeruiah, brother of Joab
Abishai, the son of Zeruiah and nephew of David, was a loyal commander and one of David's mighty men, known for his bravery and military prowess.
The biblical story
Abishai was the son of Zeruiah, King David's sister, making him David's nephew (1Ch.2.16). He was the brother of Joab and Asahel, two other prominent figures in David's military ranks (2Sa.2.18). Abishai was one of David's mighty men and a trusted commander in his army.
During David's flight from King Saul, Abishai accompanied him and showed his loyalty by offering to kill Saul when they found him sleeping in the camp (1Sa.26.6-9). However, David refused to allow Abishai to harm the Lord's anointed (1Sa.26.9-11).
Abishai played a significant role in many of David's military campaigns. He fought alongside Joab against Abner and the forces of Ish-bosheth (2Sa.2.24). After Abner killed Asahel, Joab and Abishai pursued him but were convinced to halt their pursuit (2Sa.2.24-28). Later, Abishai supported Joab in avenging Asahel's death by killing Abner (2Sa.3.30).
In the battle against the Ammonites, Abishai led a division of the army and helped secure victory for Israel (2Sa.10.10-14; 1Ch.19.11-15). He also accompanied David during the rebellion of Absalom and was one of the three commanders of David's forces (2Sa.18.2,5,12).
Abishai intervened to save David's life when a giant named Ishbi-benob threatened to kill the king (2Sa.21.17). He was also known for his bravery and military exploits, being credited with killing three hundred men with his spear (2Sa.23.18; 1Ch.11.20).
Throughout David's reign, Abishai remained a loyal and trusted commander, playing a crucial role in maintaining David's kingdom and defending Israel against its enemies.
Key verses
Abishai appears in 24 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
1 Samuel 26:6 -
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
1 Samuel 26:7 -
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
1 Samuel 26:8 -
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?
1 Samuel 26:9 -
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
2 Samuel 2:18
Show all 24 references
1 Samuel (4)
- 1 Samuel 26:6
- 1 Samuel 26:7
- 1 Samuel 26:8
- 1 Samuel 26:9
2 Samuel (15)
- 2 Samuel 2:18
- 2 Samuel 2:24
- 2 Samuel 3:30
- 2 Samuel 10:10
- 2 Samuel 10:14
- 2 Samuel 16:9
- 2 Samuel 16:11
- 2 Samuel 18:2
- 2 Samuel 18:5
- 2 Samuel 18:12
- 2 Samuel 19:21
- 2 Samuel 20:6
- 2 Samuel 20:10
- 2 Samuel 21:17
- 2 Samuel 23:18
1 Chronicles (5)
- 1 Chronicles 2:16
- 1 Chronicles 11:20
- 1 Chronicles 18:12
- 1 Chronicles 19:11
- 1 Chronicles 19:15