2 Samuel 23

1 David son of Jesse was the man whom God made great, whom the God of Jacob chose to be king, and who was the composer of beautiful songs for Israel. These are David's last words:

2 The spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his message is on my lips.

3 The God of Israel has spoken; the protector of Israel said to me: "The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God,

4 is like the sun shining on a cloudless dawn, the sun that makes the grass sparkle after rain.

5 And that is how God will bless my descendants, because he has made an eternal covenant with me, an agreement that will not be broken, a promise that will not be changed. That is all I desire; that will be my victory, and God will surely bring it about.

6 But godless people are like thorns that are thrown away; no one can touch them barehanded.

7 You must use an iron tool or a spear; they will be burned completely.

8 These are the names of David's famous soldiers: the first was Josheb Basshebeth from Tachemon, who was the leader of "The Three"; he fought with his spear against eight hundred men and killed them all in one battle.

9 The second of the famous three was Eleazar son of Dodo, of the clan of Ahoh. One day he and David challenged the Philistines who had gathered for battle. The Israelites fell back,

10 but he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was so cramped that he could not let go of his sword. The Lord won a great victory that day. After it was over, the Israelites returned to where Eleazar was and stripped the armor from the dead.

11 The third of the famous three was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of peas. The Israelites fled from the Philistines,

12 but Shammah stood his ground in the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The Lord won a great victory that day.

13 Near the beginning of harvest time three of "The Thirty" went down to Adullam Cave, where David was, while a band of Philistines was camping in Rephaim Valley.

14 At that time David was on a fortified hill, and a group of Philistines had occupied Bethlehem

15 David grew homesick and said, "How I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem!"

16 The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it; instead he poured it out as an offering to the Lord

17 and said, "Lord, I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives!" So he refused to drink it. Those were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers.

18 Joab's brother Abishai (their mother was Zeruiah) was the leader of "The Famous Thirty." He fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and became famous among "The Thirty."

19 He was the most famous of "The Thirty" and became their leader, but he was not as famous as "The Three.

20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was another famous soldier; he did many brave deeds, including killing two great Moabite warriors. He once went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

21 He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man who was armed with a spear. Benaiah attacked him with his club, snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with it

22 Those were the brave deeds of Benaiah, who was one of "The Thirty."

23 He was outstanding among them, but was not as famous as "The Three." David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

24 Other members of "The Thirty" included: 23:Asahel, Joab's brother23:Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem23:Shammah and Elika from Harod23:Helez from Pelet23:Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa23:Abiezer from Anathoth23:Mebunnai from Hushah23:Zalmon from Ahoh23:Maharai from Netophah23:Heleb son of Baanah from Netophah23:Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin23:Benaiah from Pirathon23:Hiddai from the valleys near Gaash23:Abialbon from Arabah23:Azmaveth from Bahurim23:Eliahba from Shaalbon23:The sons of Jashen23:Jonathan23:Shammah from Harar23:Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar23:Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah23:Eliam son of Ahithophel from Gilo23:Hezro from Carmel23:Paarai from Arab23:Igal son of Nathan from Zobah23:Bani from Gad23:Zelek from Ammon23:Naharai from Beeroth, Joab's armorbearer23:Ira and Gareb from Jattir23:Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven famous soldiers 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

• [a]. [Verses 6-7 in Hebrew are unclear.]
• [b]. [One ancient translation] "The Three"; [Hebrew] the third.
• [c]. [Probable text (see 1 Ch 11.11)] he fought with his spear; [Hebrew unclear.]
• [d]. [Probable text] Near the beginning of harvest time; [Hebrew unclear.]
• [e]. [One ancient translation] "The Thirty"; [Hebrew] "The Three."
• [f]. [Probable text] "The Thirty"; [Hebrew] "The Three."
• [g]. [Probable text] "The Thirty"; [Hebrew] "The Three."

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.