All I can think about these days is the blessing of relationship. During our insanely busy period of moving, finishing the book, and traveling, we were carried by the faithfulness of friends. People spending days helping us move, cleaning our old house, moving our chickens for us while we were out of the country, people giving up hours and hours of free time to do our dirtiest work, family members generously blessing us on our trip, people demonstrating such selflessness. I told a friend the other day I felt like all I’ve done is receive from people for the last 3 weeks. I’ve been so blown away by the generosity of people. So grateful.
This morning, my first morning in our new house, I curled up early with my Bible and saw an unsung hero who reminded me of the incredible blessing of relationship, of friendship.
I love these unsung heroes. That is, I love looking closely at peripheral characters, the ones in the shadows, behind the scenes. I think someday these quietly courageous folks will be lauded for their faithfulness, and I think we’re wise to keep our eyes peeled for these people, to learn from their example.
One of these guys is Abishai.
Abishai?
Yes, Abishai. Everyone needs an Abishai. Abishai is an unconventional hero in scripture, almost entirely overlooked by most of us. But I’ll tell you one person who did NOT overlook Abishai:
David.
We all remember King David, but I guarantee you King David remembered Abishai because this guy was one of a kind. And while he may be a minor character in the grand scheme of things, I think that everyone needs an Abishai. So, who was he?
Abishai was one of David’s friends, one of his many mighty men. When David called to all his men and asked who would go down with him into the camp of Saul (who was trying to kill David), one man spoke up:
“I will go down with you!” (1 Sam 26:6)
That was Abishai.
Then, as they crept into Saul’s camp by night, Abishai says,
“God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.” (1 Sam 26:8)
He was eager to take out anyone who messed with his friend David.
Later, when David’s son Absalon commits treason and threatens to take over the kingdom, forcing David out of Jerusalem, as David is fleeing there was someone who followed after David cursing at him as he walked. David stays quiet, keeping his peace. But Abishai? His response:
“Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” (2 Sam. 16:9)
Um… that’s awesome. That’s the kind of friend I want to have.
Sure, it’s great to have friends who hold us accountable, who say, “Hm…maybe you should really take into consideration the curses he’s slinging at you. Maybe there’s some truth in them. Maybe you should examine your heart and motives and see if any of it is true.”
That’s great.
But also, every needs an Abishai.
We all need a friend whose response will be, “He’s a dead dog! Let me go over and take off his head!”
Later we read:
“And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him.” 2 Sam. 21:16-17
Did you just read that??
We always praise David for slaying Goliath, but this is just as amazing! And as this bloodthirsty giant comes to kill David, Abishai fearlessly flings himself in the way of danger and kills the enemy to protect his friend.
Everyone needs an Abishai.
The friend who is so fiercely loyal she will go to any length to protect us. Who will throw themselves in the way of our enemies, who will threaten to take off the head of whoever curses us.
We could all use a friend like that, amen??
And so, perhaps you can be an Abishai to someone today. Because sometimes we just need a fiercely faithful friend who is overly eager to protect us in this bloody battle life. May we have one and be one …
…because everyone needs an Abishai.
{Here’s to the many quietly courageous men and women out there, fiercely faithful Abishais. Thank you for your loyal service for the sake of others. You’re heroes. Thanks for reading.}