Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. New Living Translation Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three. English Standard Version Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three. Berean Standard Bible Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. King James Bible And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three. New King James Version Now Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of another three. He lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three. New American Standard Bible Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he swung his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name as well as the three. NASB 1995 Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he swung his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name as well as the three. NASB 1977 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he swung his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name as well as the three. Legacy Standard Bible Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he swung his spear against three hundred who were slain by him; and he had a name as well as the three. Amplified Bible Now Abishai the brother of Joab the son of Zeruiah was chief of the thirty. He wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and gained a reputation beside the three. Christian Standard Bible Abishai, Joab’s brother and son of Zeruiah, was leader of the Three. He wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. Holman Christian Standard Bible Abishai, Joab’s brother and son of Zeruiah, was leader of the Three. He raised his spear against 300 men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. American Standard Version And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three. Contemporary English Version Joab's brother Abishai was the leader of the Thirty Warriors, and in one battle he killed 300 men with his spear. He was as famous as the Three Warriors English Revised Version And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three. GOD'S WORD® Translation Joab's brother Abishai, Zeruiah's son, was the leader of the thirty. He used his spear to kill 300 men. He was as famous as the three Good News Translation Joab's brother Abishai (their mother was Zeruiah) was the leader of "The Famous Thirty." He fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and became famous among "The Thirty." International Standard Version Zeruiah's son Abishai, Joab's brother, was the lieutenant in charge of the platoons. He used his spear to fight and kill 300 men, gaining a reputation distinct from the Three. NET Bible Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was head of the three. He killed three hundred men with his spear and gained fame among the three. New Heart English Bible And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was leader of the Thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name beside the Three. Webster's Bible Translation And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. World English Bible Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Abishai brother of Joab, son of Zeruiah, he [is] head of three, and he is lifting up his spear against three hundred—wounded, and he has a name among three. Young's Literal Translation And Abishai brother of Joab, son of Zeruiah, he is head of three, and he is lifting up his spear against three hundred -- wounded, and he hath a name among three. Smith's Literal Translation And Abishai Joab's brother, son of Zeruiah, he the head of the three. And he raised up his spear against three hundred wounded, and to him a name among the three. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAbisai also the brother of Joab, the son of Sarvia, was chief among three: and he lifted up his spear against three hundred whom he slew, and he was renowned among the three, Catholic Public Domain Version Also Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was first among the three. It was he who lifted up his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed. And he was renowned among the three, New American Bible Abishai, the brother of Joab, son of Zeruiah, was the chief of the Thirty; he brandished his spear over three hundred whom he had slain. He made a name among the Thirty, New Revised Standard Version Now Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Thirty. With his spear he fought against three hundred men and killed them, and won a name beside the Three. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zoriah, was chief of thirty men. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Abishi the brother of Yuab, son of Tsuriya, he was Chief of thirty Warriors, and he drew the sword against three hundred slain and he was Chief of the thirty OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abessa the brother of Joab the son of Saruia, he was chief among the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundred whom he slew; and he had a name among three. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Mighty Men…17saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men. 18Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. 19Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.… Cross References 1 Chronicles 11:20-21 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three. 2 Samuel 21:17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.” 1 Samuel 14:6-14 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” / His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” / “Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. ... 1 Samuel 17:45-50 But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” ... 1 Chronicles 27:5-6 The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division. / This Benaiah was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division. 2 Samuel 23:8-12 These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. ... 1 Chronicles 12:8-15 Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: / Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, / Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, ... Judges 7:19-22 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. / The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” / Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. ... 1 Samuel 18:7 And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 1 Samuel 23:16-18 And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home. 1 Samuel 26:6-12 And David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” “I will go with you,” answered Abishai. / That night David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the troops were lying around him. / Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” ... 1 Kings 2:5-6 Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 1 Kings 2:32-33 The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” Matthew 26:51-52 At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. / “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. / “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?” Treasury of Scripture And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three. Abishai 2 Samuel 2:18 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 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 2 Samuel 10:10,14 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon… and slew them [heb] slain Jump to Previous Abishai Abi'shai Brandished Chief Death Head Hundred Joab Jo'ab Killed Lifted Raised Slew Spear Swung Thirty Three Wielded Won Wounded Zeruiah Zeru'iahJump to Next Abishai Abi'shai Brandished Chief Death Head Hundred Joab Jo'ab Killed Lifted Raised Slew Spear Swung Thirty Three Wielded Won Wounded Zeruiah Zeru'iah2 Samuel 23 1. David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises6. The different state of the wicked 8. A catalogue of David's mighty men Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah Abishai is introduced as the brother of Joab, both sons of Zeruiah, who was David's sister. This familial connection places Abishai in a prominent position within David's military hierarchy. Joab, his brother, was the commander of David's army, indicating a family deeply involved in the military leadership of Israel. Zeruiah's sons were known for their fierce loyalty and military prowess, which played a significant role in David's reign. The mention of Zeruiah highlights the matriarchal lineage, which is somewhat unusual in the patriarchal context of the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of this family in David's story. was chief of the Three and he wielded his spear against three hundred men killed them and won a name along with the Three Persons / Places / Events 1. AbishaiThe brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, Abishai was a prominent warrior in King David's army. He is noted for his bravery and leadership, particularly in this passage where he is recognized for his valor in battle. 2. Joab The brother of Abishai, Joab was the commander of David's army. He played a significant role in many of David's military campaigns and was a key figure in the political and military landscape of David's reign. 3. Zeruiah The mother of Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. She is often mentioned in the context of her sons, who were significant military leaders under King David. 4. The Three A group of elite warriors in David's army, known for their extraordinary feats of bravery and skill in battle. Abishai is noted as being chief among them, highlighting his exceptional abilities. 5. The Battle While the specific battle is not detailed in this verse, it refers to an event where Abishai demonstrated his prowess by defeating three hundred men with his spear, earning him a distinguished reputation. Teaching Points Courage and LeadershipAbishai's actions exemplify the courage and leadership expected of those who serve in positions of responsibility. His willingness to face overwhelming odds is a testament to his faith and dedication. Loyalty to God's Anointed Abishai's loyalty to David, God's anointed king, serves as a model for Christians to remain faithful to God's calling and leadership in their lives. The Importance of Reputation Abishai "won a name" through his deeds, reminding believers of the importance of maintaining a good reputation through righteous actions and integrity. God's Empowerment in Battle The success of Abishai in battle can be seen as a reflection of God's empowerment, encouraging believers to rely on God's strength in their spiritual battles. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 23What are Joab's key achievements and lessons in the Bible? Why does 1 Chronicles 18:12 credit Abishai with killing 18,000 Edomites, while 2 Samuel 8:13 attributes the same victory to David? Why does Joab's direct killing of Absalom contradict David's explicit command to spare him (2 Samuel 18:5, 14), and does this create a moral inconsistency? 2 Samuel 14:2-3: Does Joab's use of a disguised woman to deceive David suggest a narrative hole, since such a ruse seems unlikely to fool a king?(18) Among three.--The Hebrew margin has "the three," and so also the text in the following clause. "The three" are the triad of heroes just mentioned, of whom Abishai was first, Benaiah second, with an unnamed third. A somewhat similar feat of daring is told of Abishai in 1Samuel 26:6-12.Verse 18. - Abishai... was chief among three. The sense is obscured in the Authorized Version by the translators having failed to notice the presence of the definite article. Abishai, by reason of this exploit, became "chief of the three;" that is, of the second order of three established in the fraternity of the mighties. At the end of the verse, and in ver. 19, the Authorized Version strangely puts the article where it is absent in the Hebrew, and omits it where it is present. The right rendering and meaning is, "He had a name, that is, rank, reputation, among the three. Was he not the most honourable of the three? For this he was made their captain: yet he attained not to equal dignity with the first three." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now Abishai,וַאֲבִישַׁ֞י (wa·’ă·ḇî·šay) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 52: Abishai -- 'my father is Jesse', an Israelite name the brother אֲחִ֣י ׀ (’ă·ḥî) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 251: A brother, ) of Joab יוֹאָ֣ב (yō·w·’āḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites and son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Zeruiah, צְרוּיָ֗ה (ṣə·rū·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6870: Zeruiah -- an Israelite woman was chief רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head of the Three, הַשְּׁלֹשָׁ֔ה (haš·šə·lō·šāh) Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell) and he וְהוּא֙ (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are lifted עוֹרֵ֣ר (‘ō·w·rêr) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5782: To rouse oneself, awake his spear חֲנִית֔וֹ (ḥă·nî·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2595: A lance against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against three שְׁלֹ֥שׁ (šə·lōš) Number - feminine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice hundred [men], מֵא֖וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ) Number - feminine plural Strong's 3967: A hundred killed [them], חָלָ֑ל (ḥā·lāl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted and won וְלוֹ־ (wə·lōw-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew a name שֵׁ֖ם (šêm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8034: A name along with [the] Three. בַּשְּׁלֹשָֽׁה׃ (baš·šə·lō·šāh) Preposition-b, Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice Links 2 Samuel 23:18 NIV2 Samuel 23:18 NLT 2 Samuel 23:18 ESV 2 Samuel 23:18 NASB 2 Samuel 23:18 KJV 2 Samuel 23:18 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 23:18 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 23:18 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 23:18 French Bible 2 Samuel 23:18 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 23:18 Abishai the brother of Joab the son (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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