1 Chronicles 11 20

1 Chronicles 11:20 kjv

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.

1 Chronicles 11:20 nkjv

Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of another three. He had lifted up his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three.

1 Chronicles 11:20 niv

Abishai the brother of Joab 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.

1 Chronicles 11:20 esv

Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against 300 men and killed them and won a name beside the three.

1 Chronicles 11:20 nlt

Abishai, 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.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 20 Meaning

This verse highlights Abishai, Joab's brother, as a preeminent warrior among King David's elite forces. He achieved a distinguished reputation and leadership position, becoming the chief of a specific group of three (the "Second Three"), due to a remarkable display of valor where he single-handedly used his spear to kill three hundred men. This act solidified his name and standing within David's mighty men.

1 Chronicles 11 20 Context

Chapter 11 of 1 Chronicles introduces the ascension of David to kingship over all Israel, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history. Following his anointing, David captures Jerusalem and establishes it as the capital. The chapter then meticulously lists and details the mighty men who served David, organized into various ranks: "The Three," "The Thirty," and other valiant warriors. This compilation emphasizes the divine hand in David's success by detailing the loyal and powerful individuals who rallied behind him, illustrating their remarkable feats of strength and courage. Verse 20 specifically spotlights Abishai, illustrating his exceptional military prowess and why he merited a chief position, establishing him as a crucial figure within the ranks of David's loyal commanders, immediately following the description of "The First Three" mighty men.

1 Chronicles 11 20 Word analysis

• And Abishai: וַאֲבִישַׁי (va'avishai). Abishai was the son of Zeruiah, David's sister, making him David's nephew and brother to Joab and Asahel. He was known for his fierce loyalty and aggressive temperament. His name, possibly meaning "my father is Jesse" or "my father is a gift," is less about Jesse directly, but highlights familial connection to the house of David through Zeruiah.
• the brother of Joab: אֲחִי יוֹאָב (achî yo'av). This familial connection is significant, as Joab was David's supreme commander and a formidable warrior. This link established Abishai within a powerful military family.
• he was chief of the three: הוּא רֹאשׁ הַשְּׁלֹשָׁה (hû ro'sh hash'sh'loshah). "The three" here refers not to the elite "First Three" mentioned previously (Jasobam, Eleazar, Shammah) but to a separate, high-ranking triumvirate known as the "Second Three." Abishai led this distinct group, showcasing his leadership and battlefield authority, just below the very top tier.
• for lifting up: וְהוּא מַהוּא עוֹרֵר (vehu mahu 'orer). Describes an act of initiative and sustained exertion. "Lifting up" implies taking up a weapon for aggressive action.
• his spear: חֲנִיתוֹ (chanito). The primary weapon of a foot soldier and leader, denoting personal combat. The specific mention emphasizes individual skill.
• against three hundred: עַל שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת ('al sh'losh me'ot). A staggering number for one man. This detail highlights the overwhelming odds he faced and his incredible military might. This phrase suggests he encountered and actively fought against a significant enemy force.
• he slew them: וַיַּהֲרֹג אֹתָם (vayyaharog 'otam). A direct statement of his decisive and devastating action. "Slew" implies complete victory over the large group.
• and had the name: וְהוּא שֵׁם (vehu shem). The Hebrew shem (name) often signifies reputation, fame, character, or authority. This means he earned lasting renown and recognition.
• among the three: בַּשְּׁלֹשָׁה (ba'sh'loshah). Refers again to the special group of "the Second Three" that he led or was most renowned within.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Abishai the brother of Joab": Identifies Abishai by his lineage, leveraging the well-known status of his brother, Joab, to immediately convey his importance and formidable family connections within David's army. It subtly hints at his background of military leadership.
• "he was chief of the three": Establishes Abishai's elite military rank and leadership capacity. This position distinguished him from the broader contingent of mighty men, placing him among the absolute best warriors.
• "for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them": This concise phrase describes a single, overwhelming act of personal valor and combat proficiency. It vividly portrays Abishai's individual strength, skill, and audacity in facing immense odds, and achieving complete victory, which serves as the direct reason for his exalted status.
• "and had the name among the three": Signifies that this deed earned him lasting fame and reputation within the highest echelons of David's fighting force. His personal valor elevated him to a legendary status and confirmed his leadership position.

1 Chronicles 11 20 Bonus section

• Abishai's aggressive temperament is consistent with other accounts where he sought to kill Saul (1 Sam 26:6-9) or Shimei (2 Sam 16:9-10), yet this verse focuses solely on his valiant act in battle for David.
• The "three hundred" is a recurring motif in Israelite military history, notably Gideon's army in Judges 7:7, signifying God's ability to grant victory through a small, dedicated force, making Abishai's individual feat even more legendary.
• While human valor is celebrated, the underlying theological principle in Chronicles is often that David's success and his men's strength stemmed from God's presence and favor.
• The naming of the "three" implies an honorific rather than merely numerical, highlighting their distinguished combat record and strategic importance.

1 Chronicles 11 20 Commentary

First Chronicles 11:20 presents Abishai as a paragon of warrior courage and individual might, cementing his status as one of David's foremost leaders. Unlike the "First Three" whose extraordinary feats often involved breaking through enemy lines for water or holding a field single-handedly, Abishai's defining act here is one of sheer combat prowess, personally confronting and defeating a significantly larger enemy force with just his spear. This deed established his 'name' – a testament not just to a record of kills, but to an unassailable reputation for bravery, skill, and decisive action that commanded respect and earned him a pivotal leadership role within the elite "Second Three" group of David's warriors. While his strength and skill were evident, a deeper biblical understanding would attribute such extraordinary abilities, ultimately, to the grace and enabling power of God (Psa 18:32). This narrative provides an example of unwavering dedication and self-sacrifice to one's king and nation, highlighting qualities that were highly valued in ancient Israel. His action serves as a vivid illustration of how courage, coupled with divine enablement, can achieve seemingly impossible feats against overwhelming odds, and how such fidelity and valor are recorded and remembered for posterity.