(father of a gift), The eldest of the three sons of Zeruiah, David’s sister, and brother to Joab and Asahel (1 Chronicles 2:16). Like his two brothers he was the devoted follower of David. He was his companion in the desperate night expedition to the camp of Saul (1 Samuel 26:6-9). On the outbreak of Absalom’s rebellion he remained true to the king and commanded a third part of the army in the decisive battle against Absalom. He rescued David from the hands of the gigantic Philistine, Ishbi-benob (2 Samuel 21:17). His personal prowess on this, as on another occasion, when he fought singlehanded against three hundred, won for him a place as captain of the second three of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20).