Hall of Fame (Part Two)

Reflections on 2 Samuel 23:18-23 and 1 Chronicles 11:20-25

Abishai was the brother of Joab and son of David's sister Zeruiah (1 Chronicles 2:13-14).  He had gone with David by night into Saul's camp (1 Samuel 26:6-9).  He had plotted with his brother Joab to kill Abner to avenge the death of Asahel (2 Samuel 3:30).  Whenever Joab divided the army, Abishai often commanded the second part (2 Samuel 10:10).  He had also slain the giant Ishbi-Benob when he was about to kill David (2 Samuel 21:17).  Here, he is remembered for killing 300 men with his spear, a feat comparable to the feats of the three mighty men.   Although Abishai was not numbered with the three might men, he was their commander.  

Benaiah's father, Jehoiada, was a priest and the commander of the soldiers from the family of Aaron who had gone to Hebron with the northern tribes when they made David king of all Israel (1 Chronicles 12:27).  As a priest, Benaiah had participated in bringing the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:16 ff.).   Although of a priestly line, Benaiah was a brave soldier.  He had slain two of Moab's best soldiers, killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day, and armed with only a club, he had disarmed an Egyptian and killed him with his own spear.  Benaiah was put in charge of David's bodyguard and of the standing army in the third month (1 Chronicles 27:5-6).