Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 11:20
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Abishai’s combat feat immediately after David refuses the water brought by the Three mighty men. This account follows the listing of the Three’s exploits and precedes the note that Abishai would later be named their commander.
The words — The text uses רֹאשׁ (rosh), literally “head” or “chief,” to mark Abishai’s elevated rank among the group. It also cites הַ/שְּׁלוֹשָ֔ה (ha./she.lo.Shah), meaning “the three,” which identifies the specific warrior cohort he led.
The thread — Abishai is identified as Joab’s brother and son of Zeruiah in 1 Samuel 26:6, 2 Samuel 2:18, and 2 Samuel 3:30. These passages track his recurring role as a military commander and his involvement in the violent transitions of Saul’s dynasty.
Why it lands — The verse documents a specific kill count and the resulting honor, requiring the reader to observe how individual valor is recorded and formally recognized. It asks the reader to note the textual transition from personal combat achievement to institutional leadership.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 26:6 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.
- 2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
- 2 Samuel 3:30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
- 2 Samuel 18:2 He sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the troops, “I will surely march out with you as well.”
- 2 Samuel 20:6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.”
- 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.”
- 2 Samuel 23:18 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.
- 1 Chronicles 2:16 Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.