2 Samuel 23:8-39

David’s warriors

8 These are the names of David's warriors: Jeshbaal from Hachmon was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against eight hundred, killing them on a single occasion.
9 Next in command was Eleazar, Dodo's son and Ahohi's grandson. He was among the three warriors with David when they insulted the Philistines who had gathered there for battle. The Israelites retreated,
10 but he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was weary and stuck to the sword. But the LORD accomplished a great victory that day. The troops then returned to Eleazar, but only to plunder the dead.
11 Next in command was Agee's son Shammah, who was from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a plot of land full of lentils. The troops fled from the Philistines,
12 but Shammah took a position in the middle of the plot, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. The LORD accomplished a great victory.
13 At harvesttime, three of the thirty chiefs went down and joined David at the fortress of Adullam, while a force of Philistines were camped in the Rephaim Valley.
14 At that time, David was in the fortress, and a Philistine fort was in Bethlehem
15 David had a craving and said, "If only someone could give me a drink of water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem."
16 So the three warriors broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it and poured it out to the LORD.
17 "The LORD forbid that I should do that," he said. "Isn't this the blood of men who risked their lives?" So he refused to drink it. These were the kinds of things the three warriors did.
18 Now Zeruiah's son Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Thirty. He raised his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and made a name for himself along with the Three.
19 He was the most famous of the Thirty. He became their commander, but he wasn't among the Three
20 Jehoiada's son Benaiah was a hero from Kabzeel who performed great deeds. He killed the two sons of Ariel from Moab. He once went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day.
21 He also killed a giant Egyptian who had a spear in his hand. Benaiah went against him armed with a staff. He grabbed the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear
22 These were the kinds of things Jehoiada's son Benaiah did. He made a name for himself along with the three warriors.
23 He was famous among the Thirty, but he didn't become one of the Three. David placed him in command of his own bodyguard.
24 Among the Thirty were: Asahel, Joab's brother; Elhanan, Dodo's son from Bethlehem;
25 Shammah from Harod; Elika from Harod;
26 Helez from Pelet; Ira, Ikkesh's son from Tekoa;
27 Abiezer from Anathoth; Mebunnai the Hushathite;
28 Zalmon from Ahoh; Maharai from Netophah;
29 Heleb, Baanah's son from Netophah; Ittai, Ribai's son from Gibeah in Benjamin;
30 Benaiah from Pirathon; Hiddai from the Gaash ravines;
31 Abi-albon from the desert plain; Azmaveth from Bahurim;
32 Eliahba from Shaalbon; Jashen the Gizonite; Jonathan,
33 Shammah's son from Harar; Ahiam, Sharar's son from Harar;
34 Eliphelet, Ahasbai's son from Maacah; Eliam, Ahithophel's son from Giloh;
35 Hezro from Carmel; Paarai from Erab;
36 Igal, Nathan's son from Zobah; Bani the Gadite
37 Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai from Beeroth, and the armor-bearer for Zeruiah's son Joab;
38 Ira from Ither; Gaeb from Ither
39 and Uriah the Hittite— thirty-seven in all.

2 Samuel 23:8-39 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 11

  • [a]. LXXL, OL; MT Josheb-bashebeth; cf 1 Chron 11:11
  • [b]. See 1 Chron 11:11.
  • [c]. LXXL, Vulg; cf 1 Chron 11:11; MT chief of the officers
  • [d]. Cf 1 Chron 11:11; Heb uncertain
  • [e]. Or cave; cf 2 Sam 23:14
  • [f]. Some Heb manuscripts, Syr; MT third or three
  • [g]. Syr; cf 1 Chron 11:25; MT Wasn’t he the most famous of the Three?
  • [h]. LXX; MT lacks sons.
  • [i]. MT handsome; cf 1 Chron 11:23
  • [j]. Cf 1 Chron 11:34; MT Jashen’s sons
  • [k]. LXX; MT lacks son.
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