2 Samuel 23

1 These are the last words of David: “David, the son of Jesse, speaks— David, the man who was raised up so high, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.

2 “The Spirit of the LORD speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue.

3 The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: ‘The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

4 is like the light of morning at sunrise, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.’

5 “Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success.

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

7 One must use iron tools to chop them down; they will be totally consumed by fire.”

8 These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three —the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.

9 Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled.

10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!

11 Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled,

12 but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

13 Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there.

14 David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.

15 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.”

16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD .

17 “The LORD forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

18 Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three.

19 Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

20 There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.

21 Once, armed only with a club, he killed an imposing Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.

22 Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors.

23 He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard.

24 Other members of the Thirty included: Asahel, Joab’s brother; Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;

25 Shammah from Harod; Elika from Harod;

26 Helez from Pelon ; Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;

27 Abiezer from Anathoth; Sibbecai from Hushah;

28 Zalmon from Ahoah; Maharai from Netophah;

29 Heled son of Baanah from Netophah; Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);

30 Benaiah from Pirathon; Hurai from Nahale-gaash ;

31 Abi-albon from Arabah; Azmaveth from Bahurim;

32 Eliahba from Shaalbon; the sons of Jashen; Jonathan

33 son of Shagee from Harar; Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;

34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah; Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh;

35 Hezro from Carmel; Paarai from Arba;

36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah; Bani from Gad;

37 Zelek from Ammon; Naharai from Beeroth, the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah;

38 Ira from Jattir; Gareb from Jattir;

39 Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven 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]. Or the favorite subject of the songs of Israel; or the favorite of the Strong One of Israel.
• [b]. As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:11 ; Hebrew reads Josheb-basshebeth the Tahkemonite.
• [c]. As in Greek and Latin versions (see also 1 Chr 11:11 ); the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
• [d]. As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 11:11 ); the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain, though it might be rendered the Three. It was Adino the Eznite who killed 800 men at one time.
• [e]. Hebrew he.
• [f]. Hebrew Shall I drink the blood of these men?
• [g]. As in a few Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac version; most Hebrew manuscripts read the Three.
• [h]. As in Syriac version; Hebrew reads the Three.
• [i]. Or son of Jehoiada, son of Ish-hai.
• [j]. Hebrew two of Ariel.
• [k]. As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:27 (see also 1 Chr 27:10 ); Hebrew reads from Palti.
• [l]. As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 11:29 ); Hebrew reads Mebunnai.
• [m]. As in some Hebrew manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 11:30 ); most Hebrew manuscripts read Heleb.
• [n]. As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:31 ; Hebrew reads Ittai.
• [o]. As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 11:32 ); Hebrew reads Hiddai.
• [p]. Or from the ravines of Gaash.
• [q]. As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:34 ; Hebrew reads Jonathan, Shammah; some Greek manuscripts read Jonathan son of Shammah.

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.