2 Samuel 23

1 haec autem sunt verba novissima quae dixit David filius Isai dixit vir cui constitutum est de christo Dei Iacob egregius psalta Israhel

2 spiritus Domini locutus est per me et sermo eius per linguam meam

3 dixit Deus Israhel mihi locutus est Fortis Israhel dominator hominum iustus dominator in timore Dei

4 sicut lux aurorae oriente sole mane absque nubibus rutilat et sicut pluviis germinat herba de terr

5 nec tanta est domus mea apud Deum ut pactum aeternum iniret mecum firmum in omnibus atque munitum cuncta enim salus mea et omnis voluntas nec est quicquam ex ea quod non germinet

6 praevaricatores autem quasi spinae evellentur universi quae non tolluntur manibus

7 et si quis tangere voluerit eas armabitur ferro et ligno lanceato igneque succensae conburentur usque ad nihilum

8 haec nomina fortium David Sedens in cathedra sapientissimus princeps inter tres ipse est quasi tenerrimus ligni vermiculus qui octingentos interfecit impetu uno

9 post hunc Eleazar filius patrui eius Ahoi inter tres fortes qui erant cum David quando exprobraverunt Philisthim et congregati sunt illuc in proelium

10 cumque ascendissent viri Israhel ipse stetit et percussit Philistheos donec deficeret manus eius et obrigesceret cum gladio fecitque Dominus salutem magnam in die illa et populus qui fugerat reversus est ad caesorum spolia detrahenda

11 et post hunc Semma filius Age de Arari et congregati sunt Philisthim in statione erat quippe ibi ager plenus lente cumque fugisset populus a facie Philisthim

12 stetit ille in medio agri et tuitus est eum percussitque Philistheos et fecit Dominus salutem magnam

13 necnon ante descenderant tres qui erant principes inter triginta et venerant tempore messis ad David in speluncam Odollam castra autem Philisthim erant posita in valle Gigantum

14 et David erat in praesidio porro statio Philisthinorum tunc erat in Bethlee

15 desideravit igitur David et ait si quis mihi daret potum aquae de cisterna quae est in Bethleem iuxta portam

16 inruperunt ergo tres fortes castra Philisthinorum et hauserunt aquam de cisterna Bethleem quae erat iuxta portam et adtulerunt ad David at ille noluit bibere sed libavit illam Domino

17 dicens propitius mihi sit Dominus ne faciam hoc num sanguinem hominum istorum qui profecti sunt et animarum periculum bibam noluit ergo bibere haec fecerunt tres robustissimi

18 Abisai quoque frater Ioab filius Sarviae princeps erat de tribus ipse est qui elevavit hastam suam contra trecentos quos interfecit nominatus in tribus

19 et inter tres nobilior eratque eorum princeps sed usque ad tres primos non pervenera

20 et Banaias filius Ioiada viri fortissimi magnorum operum de Capsehel ipse percussit duos leones Moab et ipse descendit et percussit leonem in media cisterna diebus nivis

21 ipse quoque interfecit virum aegyptium virum dignum spectaculo habentem in manu hastam itaque cum descendisset ad eum in virga vi extorsit hastam de manu Aegyptii et interfecit eum hasta su

22 haec fecit Banaias filius Ioiadae

23 et ipse nominatus inter tres robustos qui erant inter triginta nobiliores verumtamen usque ad tres non pervenerat fecitque eum David sibi auricularium a secreto

24 Asahel frater Ioab inter triginta Eleanan filius patrui eius de Bethleem

25 Semma de Arari Helica de Arodi

26 Helas de Felthi Hira filius Aces de Thecua

27 Abiezer de Anathoth Mobonnai de Usathi

28 Selmon Aohites Maharai Netophathites

29 Heled filius Banaa et ipse Netophathites Hithai filius Ribai de Gebeeth filiorum Beniamin

30 Banahi Aufrathonites Heddai de torrente Gaas

31 Abialbon Arbathites Azmaveth de Beromi

32 Eliaba de Salboni filii Iasen Ionathan

33 Semma de Horodi Haiam filius Sarar Arorites

34 Elifeleth filius Aasbai filii Maachathi Heliam filius Ahitofel Gelonites

35 Esrai de Carmelo Farai de Arbi

36 Igaal filius Nathan de Soba Bonni de Gadd

37 Selech de Ammoni Naharai Berothites armiger Ioab filii Sarviae

38 Hira Hiethrites Gareb et ipse Hiethrite

39 Urias Hettheus omnes triginta septem

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.

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.