2 Samuel 23

8–12 David’s song of praise recorded in the previous chapter emphasized the role God played in bringing about David’s victories. In this section, the writer mentions the human instruments that God used to bring those victories to pass.⁷⁷

In verses 8–12, the writer mentions the Three—three of David’s most renowned warriors—and he gives a brief description of their most famous exploits.⁷⁸

13–17 In these verses, the writer describes a dramatic exploit carried out by three other mighty men of David; these three are among the Thirty listed in verses 24–39. They risked their lives to get David some water while he was staying in the cave of Adullam, one of David’s “strongholds” (1 Samuel 22:1). Then, when they had brought the water to David, he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out! (verse 16).

We might think that David was showing a lack of gratitude, even contempt for his men. But that was not so; he was showing them the highest possible honor. The water the men brought was made so precious by their sacrifice that only God Himself was worthy to receive it. Hence, David poured it out before the LORD as a drink offering. He had no wish to satisfy his thirst by drinking water that in his mind symbolized the very blood of the men who had risked their lives for him (verse 17).

Think of the devotion of these men. In one way their act was reckless, senseless. And yet David honored them for it, and their sacrifice has been remembered down through the centuries. Scripture records another “reckless and senseless” act of devotion: an unnamed woman once poured a jar of expensive perfume on Jesus’ head. And Jesus said: . . . wherever the gospel is preached “. . . what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mark 14:1–9). God will always honor acts of devotion to Himself and to His servants—no matter how reckless and senseless” they may seem to be.

18–19 Here Joab’s brother Abishai is listed among David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 18:2). He was chief of the Three mentioned in verses 8–12, but he was not one of them; he was their commander.

20–23 Next Benaiah is listed; he was in charge of David’s bodyguard (2 Samuel 8:18). He was held in greater honor than the Thirty, but still he was not included among the Three.⁷⁹

24–39 Here the writer lists the Thirty—the main body of David’s mighty men. This list includes the three men who brought water to David, but does not in clude Abishai, Benaiah or the three men mentioned in verses 8–12. Actually, in these verses thirty-two people are listed, assuming that there were two sons of Jashen (verse 32); that brings the total to thirty-seven men⁸⁰ (verse 39). These “thirty” mighty men formed an elite military unit under David; their numbers undoubtedly fluctuated as some men died and others were recruited.