2 Samuel 23:4-14

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.

2 Samuel 23:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:11 ; Hebrew reads Josheb-basshebeth the Tahkemonite.
• [b]. As in Greek and Latin versions (see also 1 Chr 11:11 ); the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
• [c]. 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.
• [d]. Hebrew he.