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•ABISHAG father of (i.e., “given to”) error, a young woman of Shunem, distinguished for her beauty. She was chosen to minister to David in his old age. She became his wife (1 Kings 1:3,4,15). After David’s death Adonijah persuaded Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, to entreat the king to permit him to marry Abishag. Solomon suspected in this request an aspiration to the throne, and therefore caused him to be put to death (1 Kings 2:17-25).
•ABISHAI father of (i.e., “desirous of”) a gift, the eldest son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. He was the brother of Joab and Asahel (2 Samuel 2:18; 1 Chronicles 2:16). Abishai was the only one who accompanied David when he went to the camp of Saul and took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster (1 Samuel 26:5-12). He had the command of one of the three divisions of David’s army at the battle with Absalom (2 Samuel 18:2,5,12). He slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David’s life (2 Samuel 21:15-17). He was the chief of the second rank of the three “mighties” (2 Samuel 23:18, 19; 1 Chronicles 11:20,21); and on one occasion withstood 300 men, and slew them with his own spear (2 Samuel 23:18). Abishai is the name of the Semitic chief who offers gifts to the Lord of Beni-Hassan. See illustration facing page 10.
•ABISHUA father of welfare; i.e., “fortunate.” (1.) The grandson of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:4).
(2.) The son of Phinehas the high priest (1 Chronicles 6:4,5,50; Ezra 7:5).
•ABISHUR father of the wall; i.e., “mason”, one of the two sons of Shammai of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:28,29).
•ABITAL father of dew; i.e., “fresh”, David’s fifth wife (2 Samuel 3:4).
•ABITUB father of goodness, a Benjamite (1 Chronicles 8:11).
•A Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as Omega is the last. These letters occur in the text of Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13, and are represented by “Alpha” and “Omega” respectively (omitted in R.V., 1:11).