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 11:20KJV
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1 Chronicles 11:20 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 11:20 mean?

1 Chronicles 11:20 describes Abishai, the brother of Joab, as the leader among a group of three notable warriors because he fought bravely, lifting his spear against three hundred men and killing them, which earned him a distinguished reputation among these three. The verse highlights Abishai’s exceptional courage and the honor he received among David’s mighty men.

This verse is part of a larger section listing King David’s most valiant warriors. The chronicler is recounting the deeds of Abishai to show why he stood out among the elite fighters who supported David. By mentioning his relationship to Joab and his remarkable feat in battle, the text emphasizes both his family connection and his personal achievements.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 11:20

  • חֲנִית (ḥănît, “spear”): The word for “spear” points to the weapon Abishai used, highlighting his skill and bravery in close combat rather than from a distance.
  • שָׁלוֹשׁ (shālôsh, “three”): This word appears multiple times and refers to both the group of three warriors and the three hundred enemies, stressing the scale of Abishai’s accomplishment and his rank among the top fighters.
  • רֹאשׁ (rōsh, “chief” or “head”): This term shows that Abishai was not just a member but the leader among these three, underlining his authority and the respect he commanded.

Why 1 Chronicles 11:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Abishai’s leadership among the three was earned through a specific act of bravery, not just by family ties or position.
  • It connects Abishai’s story to the broader narrative of David’s mighty men, helping readers see the importance of individual valor in the history of David’s reign.
  • The verse helps distinguish between different groups among David’s warriors (“the three” versus “the thirty”), which can otherwise be confusing in these lists.

Where else these words appear

“Abishai” Hebrew H52 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 10:10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
  • 2 Samuel 20:6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

“spear” Hebrew H2595 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
  • 1 Samuel 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

“up” Hebrew H5782 · used in 65 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
  • Psalms 78:38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
  • Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

“slew” Hebrew H2491 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
  • Ezekiel 11:6 Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.