ABISHAI (Hebrew 'Abīšai). — Nephew of David, son, like Joab, of his sister Zeruiah. A faithful collaborator of his uncle, he accompanied him by night into the tent of the enemy Saul (1 Sam. 26:6–9), saved him from the deadly blow of the heavy spear of the Philistine Ishbibenob (2 Sam. 21:15–17), and followed him in his flight from Jerusalem after Absalom’s coup. During the flight he was barely restrained from killing the Benjaminite Shimei for the insults hurled at the king (ibid., 16:9 ff.; 19:21 ff.). For the boldness with which he attacked and routed 300 enemies, he was included in the second triad of David’s heroes and earned command of part of David’s army against the Ammonites (ibid., 10:9–14), against Absalom (ibid., 18:2 ff.), against Sheba (ibid., 20:6 ff.), and against the Edomites (1 Chron. 18:12). Due to Joab’s personal enmity toward Abner, he assisted his brother in the elimination of the enemy general, who had already reconciled with David (2 Sam. 3:30).
Enciclopedia Cattolica