I Chronicles 11:20
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Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 11 This chapter treats of David's being anointed king by all Israel, Ch1 11:1, which agrees with Sa2 5:1 See Gill on Sa2 5:1 See Gill on Sa2 5:2 See Gill on Sa2 5:3 and of his taking Jerusalem from the Jebusites, Ch1 11:4 the account of which we have Sa2 5:6. See Gill on Sa2 5:6 See Gill on Sa2 5:7 See Gill on Sa2 5:8 See Gill on Sa2 5:9 See Gill on Sa2 5:10 only here we are told, that it was Joab that smote the Jebusites first, and so was made chief captain according to David's promise; and that he also repaired the rest of the city David built round about; perhaps the fortifications demolished in taking it, Ch1 11:6 or rather, as others give the sense, he "saved alive" (b) those that remained in the city, after he had slain the lame and the blind; though a learned (d) writer conjectures it should be read, "and Joab was made the governor of the city"; and the Targum is,"Joab governed the rest of the city.''And then follows an account of David's mighty men and worthies, Ch1 11:10 of whom see the notes on Sa2 23:8, Sa2 23:9, Sa2 23:10, Sa2 23:11, Sa2 23:12, Sa2 23:13, Sa2 23:14, Sa2 23:15, Sa2 23:16, Sa2 23:17, Sa2 23:18, Sa2 23:19, Sa2 23:20, Sa2 23:21, Sa2 23:22, Sa2 23:23, Sa2 23:24, Sa2 23:25, Sa2 23:26, Sa2 23:27, Sa2 23:28, Sa2 23:29, Sa2 23:30, Sa2 23:31, Sa2 23:32, Sa2 23:33, Sa2 23:34, Sa2 23:35, Sa2 23:36, Sa2 23:37, Sa2 23:38, Sa2 23:39 and others are added here, Ch1 11:42 of whom we know no more than their names. (b) "vivas conservavit urbis reliquias", Junius & Tremellius; Strigelius in Poli Synops. in loc. (d) Dr. Kennicot's State of the Hebrew Text, dissert. 1. p. 54. Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 12
Open source ↗In this chapter is repeated, I. The elevation of David to the throne, immediately upon the death of Saul, by common consent (Ch1 11:1-3). II. His gaining the castle of Zion out of the hands of the Jebusites (Ch1 11:4-9). III. The catalogue of the worthies and great men of his kingdom (v. 10-47).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
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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.
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
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.”
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
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.”
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
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.”