2 Samuel 23:6

6 But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up with the 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 is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land

5 Is not my house like this with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. Will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?

6 But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up with the hand;

7 to touch them one uses an iron bar or the shaft of a spear. And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot.

8 These are the names of the warriors whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the Three; he wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb [But worthlessness]