2 Samuel 23:6

6 "Worthless people are like thorns. All of them are thrown away, because they cannot be picked by hand.

2 Samuel 23:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 23:6

But [the sons] of Belial [shall be] all of them as thorns
thrust away
Not like the tender grass that springs up, and flourishes after rain, and the sunshine upon that; but like thorns, useless, hurtful, and pernicious, and fit only for burning: this is true of wicked men in general, that cast off the yoke of the Lord, and become unprofitable, as Belial signifies; and of wicked governors in particular, who, instead of being helpful, are harmful to a commonwealth; and instead of being the joy and comfort of their subjects, and of giving pleasure to them, and making them cheerful and prosperous, give pain and trouble, and cause grief and sorrow; and are, if possible, to be thrust away, and deposed from government:

because they cannot be taken with hands;
thorns cannot be handled and gently dealt with, but some instrument must be used to put them away with force; so wicked men, and especially wicked rulers, are untractable, and not to be managed in a gentle way, and therefore violent ones must be taken.

2 Samuel 23:6 In-Context

4 He is like the morning light as the sun rises, like a morning without clouds, like the brightness after a rainstorm. The rain makes the grass grow from the earth.'

5 "Truly, God considers my house to be that way, because he has made a lasting promise to me, with every detail arranged and assured. [He promised] everything that helps me, everything that pleases me. Truly, he makes these things happen.

6 "Worthless people are like thorns. All of them are thrown away, because they cannot be picked by hand.

7 A person who touches them uses iron [tools] or the shaft of a spear. Fire will burn them up completely wherever they are."

8 These are the names of David's fighting men: Josheb Basshebeth from Tahkemon's family was leader of the three. He used a spear to kill 800 men on one occasion.