2 Samuel 23

1 These are the last words of David: "Here is the declaration by David, son of Jesse-- the declaration by the man whom God raised up, whom the God of Jacob anointed, the singer of Israel's psalms:

2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me. His words were on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, 'The one who rules humans with justice rules with the fear of God.

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.

9 Next in rank to him was Eleazar, another one of the three fighting men. He was the son of Dodo and grandson of Aho. Eleazar was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. When the soldiers from Israel retreated,

10 he attacked and killed Philistines until his hand got tired and stuck to his sword. So the LORD won an impressive victory that day. The army returned to Eleazar, but they only returned to strip the dead.

11 Next in rank to him was Shammah, the son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of ripe lentils. When the troops fled from the Philistines,

12 he stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So the LORD won an impressive victory.

13 At harvest time three of the thirty leading men came to David at the cave of Adullam when a troop from the Philistine army was camping in the valley of Rephaim.

14 While David was in the fortified camp, Philistine troops were at Bethlehem.

15 When David became thirsty, he said, "I wish I could have a drink of water from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem."

16 So the three fighting men burst into the Philistine camp and drew water from the well. They brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it out [as an offering] to the LORD and said,

17 "It's unthinkable that I would do this, LORD. This is the blood of men who risked their lives!" So he refused to drink it. These are the things which the three fighting men did.

18 Joab's brother Abishai, Zeruiah's son, was the leader of the thirty. He used his spear to kill 300 men. He was as famous as the three

19 and was honored more than they were. So he became their captain, but he didn't become a member of the three.

20 Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was from Kabzeel and was a brave man who did many things. He killed two distinguished soldiers from Moab. He also went into a pit and killed a lion on the day it snowed.

21 And he killed a handsome Egyptian. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand. Benaiah went to him with a club, grabbed the spear from him, and killed him with it.

22 These are the things that Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, did. He was as famous as the three fighting men.

23 He was honored more than the thirty, but he was not a member of the three. David put him in charge of his bodyguards.

24 One of the thirty was Joab's brother Asahel. [The thirty leading men were] Elhanan (son of Dodo) from Bethlehem,

25 Shammah from Harod, Elika from Harod,

26 Helez the Paltite, Ira (son of Ikkesh) from Tekoa,

27 Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai (son of Hushai),

28 Zalmon (descendant of Ahohi), Maharai from Netophah,

29 Heleb (son of Baanah) from Netophah, Ittai (son of Ribai) from Gibeah in Benjamin,

30 Benaiah from Pirathon, Hiddai from the Gaash ravines,

31 Abi Albon from Beth Arabah, Azmaveth from Bahurim,

32 Elihba from Shaalbon, Bene Jashen,

33 Jonathan ([son of] Shammah the Hararite), Ahiam (son of Sharar the Hararite),

34 Eliphelet (son of Ahasbai and grandson of a man from Maacah), Eliam (son of Ahithophel) from Gilo,

35 Hezrai from Carmel, Paarai from Arabah,

36 Igal (son of Nathan) from Zobah, Bani from the tribe of Gad,

37 Zelek from Ammon, Naharai from Beeroth, armorbearer for Zeruiah's son Joab,

38 Ira (descendant of Ithra), Gareb (descendant of Ithra),

39 Uriah the Hittite-- 37 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.

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.