Three – The three 2Sa 23:22. It was Abishais prowess on this occasion that raised him to be chief of this triad.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

He fought with and killed three hundred men in one battle.

Had the name among the three, i.e. was the most famous and eminent among them.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among the three,…. Another triumvirate, of which he was the head:

and he lifted up his spear against three hundred, [and] slew [them]; Josephus e says six hundred; this seems to confirm the reading of

2Sa 23:8, that the number eight hundred is right, for if it was only three hundred, Abishai would have been equal to one, even the first, of the former three; which yet is denied him in 2Sa 23:19:

and had the name among three; of which he was one; and he had the chief name among them, or was the most famous of them.

e Antiqu. l. 7. c. 12. sect. 4.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Abishai and Benaieh, 2Sa 23:18-23 AND 1Ch 11:20-25

In this passage are introduced two of David’s chief captains. The first, Abishai, frequently appears in the career of David as a very brave, loyal man. In some of David’s battles he was second in command to his brother, Joab, and this passage indicates that he was captain of the mighty men. He was the son of David’s older sister, Zeruiah, and in time the king came to despise him, along with Joab, because of their insubordination. This was particularly manifested in the assassination of Abner (I1Sa 3:30) and the murder of Amasa (2Sa 20:6-10). Abishai’s brave deed that won him his position was the slaughter of three hundred of the enemy in one battle.

There is a puzzling statement about Abishai, however, “Was he not most honorable of three? … howbeit he attained not unto the first three.” The New American Standard Bible renders the numeral “thirty” rather than “three”. The meaning seems to be that Abishai was a most honorable man among the thirty mighty men and became their captain. However, his deeds did not measure up to those of the first three, Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah, who jeopardized their lives to bring David a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem.

The second outstanding hero of this passage was Benaiah, who commanded the Cherethites and Pelethites. He was the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel, a town in the southernmost part of Judah, not far from Beersheba. The exploits of Benaiah included slaying two lionlike men of Moab. (Later versions say “two sons of Ariel of Moab,” Ariel meaning “lionlike”.) He was also noted for going into a pit where a lion had been trapped on a snowy day and killing it. The third deed of honor Benaiah performed was the single handed slaying of a formidable Egyptian more than eight feet tall. With a club Benaiah knocked the Egyptian’s spear from his grasp, seized it, and killed him with his own spear. He was also listed among the honorable, but did not rank with the first three. When Solomon became king and had Joab executed Benaiah was promoted to the position of captain of the host (1Ki 2:28-35).

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

(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 1Sa. 26:6-12.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

18. Chief among three Rather, a chief among the captains, as the same words are rendered in 2Sa 23:8. All the thirty-seven mentioned in this chapter were chiefs of distinguished rank.

Lifted up his spear against three hundred His great feat resembled that of Jashobeam, though it was not so celebrated.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2Sa 23:18 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.

Ver. 18. Against three hundred. ] Josephus saith six hundred; but he is out in this count, as he is oft, seeking the honour of his nation.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Abishai. Mentioned in 2Sa 10:10, 2Sa 10:14; 2Sa 16:9; 2Sa 18:2; 2Sa 19:21, 1Sa 26:6-9.

was the [was].

among = of.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Men with a Record

2Sa 23:18-39

What marvels may be wrought by the inspiration of a single life! We remember the hour when an unknown youth stepped out of the affrighted hosts of Israel to face Goliath. Alone, so far as human help went, David encountered and defeated that terrible antagonist; but after some fourteen or fifteen years had run their course, he no longer stood alone. Scores of heroes, animated by his spirit and exercising his faith, stepped forth on the new path which he had opened.

Thus the lives of great men light up and inspire the lives of others. They mold their contemporaries. Wesleys career has raised a great army of preachers and evangelists. The enthusiasm of a Brainerd, a Finney, a Moody, has stirred tens of thousands with kindred passion for the souls of men. The companions of our Lord became His Apostles (His missionaries). His own life of sacrifice for men has become the beacon-fire which has summoned myriads from the sloth and indulgence of the valleys to the surrender, the self-denial, the anguish of His Cross, if only they might be permitted to follow in His steps. Is there anything in our lives that is inspiring others?

Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary

Abishai: 2Sa 2:18, 2Sa 3:30, 2Sa 10:10, 2Sa 10:14, 2Sa 18:2, 2Sa 20:10, 1Sa 26:6-8, 1Ch 2:16, 1Ch 11:20, 1Ch 11:21

and slew them: Heb. slain

Reciprocal: 2Sa 17:8 – mighty men 2Sa 20:6 – Abishai 2Sa 20:21 – lifted 1Ch 18:12 – Moreover Ecc 4:12 – and a

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2Sa 23:18-19. Abishai was chief among three The chief of those three mighty men before mentioned. See 1Ch 11:20. Had the name among the three That is, was most eminent and famous. Was he not most honourable? Worthy to be the leader of them, for his superior valour and virtue? He attained not unto the first three He fell short of them in strength and valour.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments