2 Samuel 23

David’s last words

1 These are David's last words: This is the declaration of Jesse's son David, the declaration of a man raised high, a man anointed by the God of Jacob, a man favored by the strong one of Israel.
2 The LORD's spirit speaks through me; his word is on my tongue.
3 Israel's God has spoken, Israel's rock said to me: "Whoever rules rightly over people, whoever rules in the fear of God,
4 is like the light of sunrise on a morning with no clouds, like the bright gleam after the rain that brings grass from the ground.
5 Yes, my house is this way with God! He has made an eternal covenant with me, laid out and secure in every detail. Yes, he provides every one of my victories and brings my every desire to pass.
6 But despicable people are like thorns, all of them good for nothing, because they can't be carried by hand.
7 No one can touch them, except with iron bar or the shaft of a spear. They must be burned up with fire right on the spot!

David’s warriors

8 These are the names of David's warriors: Jeshbaal from Hachmon was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against eight hundred, killing them on a single occasion.
9 Next in command was Eleazar, Dodo's son and Ahohi's grandson. He was among the three warriors with David when they insulted the Philistines who had gathered there for battle. The Israelites retreated,
10 but he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was weary and stuck to the sword. But the LORD accomplished a great victory that day. The troops then returned to Eleazar, but only to plunder the dead.
11 Next in command was Agee's son Shammah, who was from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a plot of land full of lentils. The troops fled from the Philistines,
12 but Shammah took a position in the middle of the plot, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. The LORD accomplished a great victory.
13 At harvesttime, three of the thirty chiefs went down and joined David at the fortress of Adullam, while a force of Philistines were camped in the Rephaim Valley.
14 At that time, David was in the fortress, and a Philistine fort was in Bethlehem
15 David had a craving and said, "If only someone could give me a drink of water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem."
16 So the three warriors broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it and poured it out to the LORD.
17 "The LORD forbid that I should do that," he said. "Isn't this the blood of men who risked their lives?" So he refused to drink it. These were the kinds of things the three warriors did.
18 Now Zeruiah's son Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Thirty. He raised his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and made a name for himself along with the Three.
19 He was the most famous of the Thirty. He became their commander, but he wasn't among the Three
20 Jehoiada's son Benaiah was a hero from Kabzeel who performed great deeds. He killed the two sons of Ariel from Moab. He once went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day.
21 He also killed a giant Egyptian who had a spear in his hand. Benaiah went against him armed with a staff. He grabbed the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear
22 These were the kinds of things Jehoiada's son Benaiah did. He made a name for himself along with the three warriors.
23 He was famous among the Thirty, but he didn't become one of the Three. David placed him in command of his own bodyguard.
24 Among the Thirty were: Asahel, Joab's brother; Elhanan, Dodo's son from Bethlehem;
25 Shammah from Harod; Elika from Harod;
26 Helez from Pelet; Ira, Ikkesh's son from Tekoa;
27 Abiezer from Anathoth; Mebunnai the Hushathite;
28 Zalmon from Ahoh; Maharai from Netophah;
29 Heleb, Baanah's son from Netophah; Ittai, Ribai's son from Gibeah in Benjamin;
30 Benaiah from Pirathon; Hiddai from the Gaash ravines;
31 Abi-albon from the desert plain; Azmaveth from Bahurim;
32 Eliahba from Shaalbon; Jashen the Gizonite; Jonathan,
33 Shammah's son from Harar; Ahiam, Sharar's son from Harar;
34 Eliphelet, Ahasbai's son from Maacah; Eliam, Ahithophel's son from Giloh;
35 Hezro from Carmel; Paarai from Erab;
36 Igal, Nathan's son from Zobah; Bani the Gadite
37 Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai from Beeroth, and the armor-bearer for Zeruiah's son Joab;
38 Ira from Ither; Gaeb from Ither
39 and Uriah the Hittite— thirty-seven in all.

2 Samuel 23 Commentary

Chapter 23

David's last words. (1-7) David's mighty men. (8-39)

Verses 1-7 These words of David are very worthy of regard. Let those who have had long experience of God's goodness, and the pleasantness of heavenly wisdom, when they come to finish their course, bear their testimony to the truth of the promise. David avows his Divine inspiration, that the Spirit of God spake by him. He, and other holy men, spake and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. In many things he had his own neglect and wrong conduct to blame. But David comforted himself that the Lord had made with him an everlasting covenant. By this he principally intended the covenant of mercy and peace, which the Lord made with him as a sinner, who believed in the promised Saviour, who embraced the promised blessing, who yielded up himself to the Lord, to be his redeemed servant. Believers shall for ever enjoy covenant blessings; and God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, shall be for ever glorified in their salvation. Thus pardon, righteousness, grace, and eternal life, are secured as the gift of God through Jesus Christ. There is an infinite fulness of grace and all blessings treasured up in Christ, for those who seek his salvation. This covenant was all David's salvation, he so well knew the holy law of God and the extent of his own sinfulness, that he perceived what was needful for his own case in this salvation. It was therefore all his desire. In comparison, all earthly objects lost their attractions; he was willing to give them up, or to die and leave them, that he might enjoy full happiness, ( Psalms 73:24-28 ) . Still the power of evil, and the weakness of his faith, hope, and love, were his grief and burden. Doubtless he would have allowed that his own slackness and want of care were the cause; but the hope that he should soon be made perfect in glory, encouraged him in his dying moments.

Verses 8-39 David once earnestly longed for the water at the well of Bethlehem. It seems to be an instance of weakness. He was thirsty; with the water of that well he had often refreshed himself when a youth, and it was without due thought that he desired it. Were his valiant men so forward to expose themselves, upon the least hint of their prince's mind, and so eager to please him, and shall not we long to approve ourselves to our Lord Jesus, by ready compliance with his will, as shown us by his word, Spirit, and providence? But David poured out the water as a drink-offering to the Lord. Thus he would cross his own foolish fancy, and punish himself for indulging it, and show that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones, and knew how to deny himself. Did David look upon that water as very precious which was got at the hazard of these men's blood, and shall not we much more value those benefits for purchasing which our blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let all beware of neglecting so great salvation.

Footnotes 13

  • [a]. Or Israel’s favorite singer or the favorite of Israel’s songs
  • [b]. Or Yes, my house is surely with God!
  • [c]. LXXL, OL; MT Josheb-bashebeth; cf 1 Chron 11:11
  • [d]. See 1 Chron 11:11.
  • [e]. LXXL, Vulg; cf 1 Chron 11:11; MT chief of the officers
  • [f]. Cf 1 Chron 11:11; Heb uncertain
  • [g]. Or cave; cf 2 Sam 23:14
  • [h]. Some Heb manuscripts, Syr; MT third or three
  • [i]. Syr; cf 1 Chron 11:25; MT Wasn’t he the most famous of the Three?
  • [j]. LXX; MT lacks sons.
  • [k]. MT handsome; cf 1 Chron 11:23
  • [l]. Cf 1 Chron 11:34; MT Jashen’s sons
  • [m]. LXX; MT lacks son.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 23

In this chapter are recorded the last words of David under a divine inspiration, 2Sa 23:1-7; and an account is given of his great men, famous for warlike exploits, particularly of three mighty men who did very marvellous things, 2Sa 23:8-17; and of two others next unto them, which belonged to another class of three, 2Sa 23:18-23; and then of thirty one more, 2Sa 23:24-39; who are all mentioned by name.

2 Samuel 23 Commentaries

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