20 Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three.

Other Translations of 1 Chronicles 11:20

King James Version

20 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.

English Standard Version

20 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the thirty.Syriac; Hebrew three And he wielded his spear against 300 men and killed them and won a name beside the three.

The Message

20 Abishai brother of Joab was the chief of the Thirty. Singlehandedly he fought three hundred men, and killed the lot, but he never made it into the circle of the Three.

New King James Version

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

New Living Translation

20 Abishai, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:20

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:10-47

(Read 1 Chronicles 11:10-47)

An account is given of David's worthies, the great men who served him. Yet David reckoned his success, not as from the mighty men that were with him, but from the mighty God, whose presence is all in all. In strengthening him, they strengthened themselves and their own interest, for his advancement was theirs. We shall gain by what we do in our places for the support of the kingdom of the Son of David; and those that are faithful to Him, shall find their names registered much more to their honour, than these are in the records of fame.

21 He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

Other Translations of 1 Chronicles 11:21

King James Version

21 Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.

English Standard Version

21 He was the most renownedCompare 2 Samuel 23:19; Hebrew more renowned among the two of the thirtySyriac; Hebrew three and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three.

The Message

21 He was highly honored by the Thirty - he was their chief - still, he didn't measure up to the Three.

New King James Version

21 Of the three he was more honored than the other two men. Therefore he became their captain. However he did not attain to the first three.

New Living Translation

21 Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:21

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:10-47

(Read 1 Chronicles 11:10-47)

An account is given of David's worthies, the great men who served him. Yet David reckoned his success, not as from the mighty men that were with him, but from the mighty God, whose presence is all in all. In strengthening him, they strengthened themselves and their own interest, for his advancement was theirs. We shall gain by what we do in our places for the support of the kingdom of the Son of David; and those that are faithful to Him, shall find their names registered much more to their honour, than these are in the records of fame.