2 Samuel 23:6

6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.

2 Samuel 23:6 in Other Translations

6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:

6 But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand;

6 But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away, for they tear the hand that touches them.

6 But the devil's henchmen are like thorns culled and piled as trash;

6 But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside; they can never be picked up 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 light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

5 “If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.

6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.

7 Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.”

8 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 5:6; Isaiah 9:18; Isaiah 10:17; Isaiah 27:4; Isaiah 33:12; Micah 7:4; Nahum 1:10; Matthew 13:40-41