Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet of foot as a gazelle in the field.

So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

And the rest of the people he put into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array to meet the sons of Ammon.

And when the sons of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai, and entered the city. So Joab returned from the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.

And David sent out one third of the people under the hand of Joab, one third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, I shall proceed to go out with you myself also.

But Amasa was not aware of the sword that was in Joab's hand. And he struck him with it in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.

Then David answered, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with you.

Then Abishai said to David, God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him with the spear, into the earth one time; and I will not strike him again.

Their sisters: Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel; three.

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

Of the three he was more honored than the other two; therefore he became their commander. However he did not attain to the first three.