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Texts -- 2 Samuel 23:1-31 (NET)

Context
David’s Final Words
23:1 These are the final words of David : “The oracle of David son of Jesse , the oracle of the man raised up as the ruler chosen by the God of Jacob , Israel’s beloved singer of songs : 23:2 The Lord’s spirit spoke through me; his word was on my tongue . 23:3 The God of Israel spoke , the protector of Israel spoke to me. The one who rules fairly among men , the one who rules in the fear of God , 23:4 is like the light of morning when the sun comes up , a morning in which there are no clouds . He is like the brightness after rain that produces grass from the earth . 23:5 My dynasty is approved by God , for he has made a perpetual covenant with me, arranged in all its particulars and secured . He always delivers me, and brings all I desire to fruition . 23:6 But evil people are like thorns – all of them are tossed away , for they cannot be held in the hand . 23:7 The one who touches them must use an iron instrument or the wooden shaft of a spear . They are completely burned up right where they lie !”
David’s Warriors
23:8 These are the names of David’s warriors : Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite , was head of the officers . He killed eight hundred men with his spear in one battle. 23:9 Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo , the son of Ahohi . He was one of the three warriors who were with David when they defied the Philistines who were assembled there for battle . When the men of Israel retreated , 23:10 he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand grew so tired that it seemed stuck to his sword . The Lord gave a great victory on that day . When the army returned to him , the only thing left to do was to plunder the corpses. 23:11 Next in command was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite . When the Philistines assembled at Lehi, where there happened to be an area of a field that was full of lentils , the army retreated before the Philistines . 23:12 But he made a stand in the middle of that area . He defended it and defeated the Philistines ; the Lord gave them a great victory . 23:13 At the time of the harvest three of the thirty leaders went down to David at the cave of Adullam . A band of Philistines was camped in the valley of Rephaim . 23:14 David was in the stronghold at the time , while a Philistine garrison was in Bethlehem . 23:15 David was thirsty and said , “How I wish someone would give me some water to drink from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate !” 23:16 So the three elite warriors broke through the Philistine forces and drew some water from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate . They carried it back to David , but he refused to drink it. He poured it out as a drink offering to the Lord 23:17 and said , “O Lord , I will not do this ! It is equivalent to the blood of the men who risked their lives by going .” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three elite warriors . 23:18 Abishai son of Zeruiah , the brother of Joab , was head of the three . He killed three hundred men with his spear and gained fame among the three . 23:19 From the three he was given honor and he became their officer , even though he was not one of the three . 23:20 Benaiah son of Jehoida was a brave warrior from Kabzeel who performed great exploits . He struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab . He also went down and killed a lion in a cistern on a snowy day . 23:21 He also killed an impressive-looking Egyptian . The Egyptian wielded a spear , while Benaiah attacked him with a club . He grabbed the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear . 23:22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoida , who gained fame among the three elite warriors . 23:23 He received honor from the thirty warriors, though he was not one of the three elite warriors. David put him in charge of his bodyguard . 23:24 Included with the thirty were the following: Asahel the brother of Joab , Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem , 23:25 Shammah the Harodite , Elika the Harodite , 23:26 Helez the Paltite , Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa , 23:27 Abiezer the Anathothite , Mebunnai the Hushathite , 23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite , Maharai the Netophathite , 23:29 Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite , Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin , 23:30 Benaiah the Pirathonite , Hiddai from the wadis of Gaash , 23:31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite , Azmaveth the Barhumite ,

Pericope

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Bible Dictionary

  • David

    [ebd] beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother's name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal ...
    [isbe] DAVID - da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon): I. NAME AND GENEALOGY II. EARLY YEARS 1. Shepherd 2. Slinger 3. Harpist 4. Poet 5. Psalmist 6. Tribesman III....
    [smith] (well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important re...
    [nave] DAVID 1. King of Israel. Genealogy of, Ruth 4:18-22; 1 Sam. 16:11; 17:12; 1 Chr. 2:3-15; Matt. 1:1-6; Luke 3:31-38. A shepherd, 1 Sam. 16:11. Kills a lion and a bear, 1 Sam. 17:34-36. Anointed king, while a youth, by the ...

  • Abishai

    [ebd] father of (i.e., "desirous of") a gift, the eldest son of Zeruiah, David's sister. He was the brother of Joab and Asahel (2 Sam. 2:18; 1 Chr. 2:16). Abishai was the only one who accompanied David when he went to the camp of ...
    [isbe] ABISHAI - ab'-i-shi, a-bi'-shi ('abhishai, in Ch 'abhshai; meaning is doubtful, probably "my father is Jesse," BDB): Son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and one of the three famous brothers, of whom Joab and Asahel were the othe...
    [nave] ABISHAI Son of Zeruiah, David's sister, 1 Chr. 2:16. One of David's chief men, 2 Sam. 23:18. Seeks Saul's life, 1 Sam. 26:6-8. Pursues and slays Abner, 2 Sam. 2:24; 3:30. Defeats the Edomites, 1 Chr. 18:12; the Ammonites...

  • Messiah

    [isbe] MESSIAH - me-si'-a (mashiach; Aramaic meshicha'; Septuagint Christos, "anointed"; New Testament "Christ"): 1. Meaning and Use of the Term 2. The Messianic Hope I. THE MESSIAH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. The Messianic King (1) Is...
    [nave] MESSIAH 1 Sam. 2:10, 35; 12:3, 5; 16:6; 24:6, 6, 10; 26:9, 11, 16, 23; 2 Sam. 1:14, 16, 21; 19:21; 22:51; 23:1; 1 Chr. 16:22; 2 Chr. 6:42; Psa. 2:2; 18:50; 20:6; 28:8; 84:9; 89:38, 51; 105:15; 132:10, 17; Isa. 45:1; Lam. 4:2...

  • Captain

    [ebd] (1.) Heb. sar (1 Sam. 22:2; 2 Sam. 23:19). Rendered "chief," Gen. 40:2; 41:9; rendered also "prince," Dan. 1:7; "ruler," Judg. 9:30; "governor,' 1 Kings 22:26. This same Hebrew word denotes a military captain (Ex. 18:21; 2 K...
    [nave] CAPTAIN Commander-in-chief of an army, Deut. 20:9; Judg. 4:2; 1 Sam. 14:50; 1 Kin. 2:35; 16:16; 1 Chr. 27:34. Of the tribes, Num. 2. Of thousands, Num. 31:48; 1 Sam. 17:18; 1 Chr. 28:1. Of hundreds, 2 Kin. 11:15. See: Ce...

  • POETRY, HEBREW

    [isbe] POETRY, HEBREW - po'-et-ri: I. IS THERE POETRY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT? Poetry Defined: 1. In Matter, Concrete and Imaginative 2. In Form, Emotional and Rhythmical II. NEGLECT OF HEBREW POETRY: CAUSES III. CHARACTERISTICS OF HE...

  • SAMUEL, BOOKS OF

    [isbe] SAMUEL, BOOKS OF - || I. PLACE OF THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL IN THE HEBREW CANON II. CONTENTS OF THE BOOKS AND PERIOD OF TIME COVERED BY THE HISTORY III. SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS 1. Life of Samuel (1 Samuel 1 through 15) 2. Reign and D...

  • AMASAI

    [isbe] AMASAI - a-ma'-si (`amasay, perhaps rather to be read `ammishay; so Wellhausen, IJG, II, 24, n.2): (1) A name in the genealogy of Kohath, son of Elkanah, a Levite of the Kohathite family (compare 1 Ch 6:25; 2 Ch 29:12). (2) ...

  • TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

    [isbe] TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT - || I. EARLIEST FORM OF WRITING IN ISRAEL 1. Invention of Alphabet 2. The Cuneiform 3. References to Writing in the Old Testament 4. Inscriptions after Settlement in Canaan 5. Orthography of the Pe...

  • Courage

    [nave] COURAGE Enjoined upon Joshua, Deut. 31:7, 8, 22, 23; Josh. 1:1-9; the Israelites, Lev. 26:6-8; 2 Chr. 32:7, 8; Solomon, 1 Chr. 22:13; 28:20; Asa, 2 Chr. 15:1-7. Enjoined by Jehoshaphat upon the judicial and executive office...

  • MECHERATHITE

    [isbe] MECHERATHITE - me-ke'-rath-it (mekherathi, "dweller in Mecharah"): Possibly this is a misreading of "Maachathite" (the King James Version). It is the description of Hepher, one of David's valiant men (1 Ch 11:36). In the Wal...

  • JOSHAVIAH

    [isbe] JOSHAVIAH - josh-a-vi'-a (yoshawyah, allied form to JOSHAH (which see)): Son of Elnaam, one of the band of braves who served David (1 Ch 11:46), omitted from the list of 2 Sam 23, which is less complete and differs in detail...

  • JOSHAPHAT

    [isbe] JOSHAPHAT - josh'-a-fat (yoshaphaT, "Yahweh has judged"; compare JEHOSHAPHAT): (1) One of David's mighty men (1 Ch 11:43), a "Mithnite," but not included in the list of 2 Sam 23. (2) A priest and trumpeter of David's time (1...

  • Giants

    [ebd] (1.) Heb. nephilim, meaning "violent" or "causing to fall" (Gen. 6:4). These were the violent tyrants of those days, those who fell upon others. The word may also be derived from a root signifying "wonder," and hence "monste...

  • Armies

    [nave] ARMIES Who of the Israelites were subject to service in, Num. 1:2, 3; 26:2; 2 Chr. 25:5; who were exempt from service in, Num. 1:47-50; 2:33; Deut. 20:5-9; Judg. 7:3. Enumeration of Israel's military forces, Num. 1:2, 3; 26...

  • Shammah

    [ebd] desert. (1.) One of the "dukes" of Edom (Gen. 36:13, 17). (2.) One of the sons of Jesse (1 Sam. 16:9). He is also called Shimeah (2 Sam. 13:3) and Shimma (1 Chr. 2:13). (3.) One of David's three mighty men (2 Sam. 23:11, 12)...
    [isbe] SHAMMAH - sham'-a (shammah): (1) The son of Reuel, the son of Esau, a tribal chief of Edom (Gen 36:13,17; 1 Ch 1:37, Some). (2) The third son of Jesse and brother of David. Together with his two other brothers he fought unde...
    [smith] (astonishment). The son of Reuel the son of Esau. (Genesis 36:13,17; 1 Chronicles 1:37) (B.C. about 1700.) The third son of Jesse, and brother of David. (1 Samuel 16:9; 17:13) Called also Shimea., Shimeah and Shimma. O...
    [nave] SHAMMAH 1. Son of Reuel, Gen. 36:13, 17; 1 Chr. 1:37. 2. David's brother, 1 Sam. 16:9; 17:13. Called Shimeah, 2 Sam. 13:3, 32; 21:21; Shimma, 1 Chr. 2:13; Shimea, 1 Chr. 20:7. 3. One of David's mighty men, son of Agee, 2 ...

  • Benaiah

    [ebd] built up by Jehovah. (1.) The son of Jehoiada, chief priest (1 Chr. 27:5). He was set by David over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites (2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Kings 1:32; 1 Chr. 18:17). His exploits are enumerated in 2 Sam...
    [isbe] BENAIAH - be-na'-ya, be-ni'-a (benayah, benayahu, "Yahweh has built." Compare HPN, 182, 265, 268): (1) Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel (compare Josh 15:21), was a man of "mighty deeds" and was more honorable than any...
    [smith] (made by the Lord). The son of Jehoiada the chief priest, (1 Chronicles 27:5) of the tribe of Levi, though a native of Kabzeel, (2 Samuel 23:20) set by David, (1 Chronicles 11:25) over his body-guard. (2 Samuel 8...
    [nave] BENAIAH 1. Son of Jehoiada, commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites, 2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Kin. 1:38. A distinguished warrior, 2 Sam. 23:20-23; 1 Chr. 11:22-25; 27:5, 6. Loyal to Solomon, 1 Kin. 1:2; 4:4. 2. An Ephraimite, a...

  • Bethlehem

    [ebd] house of bread. (1.) A city in the "hill country" of Judah. It was originally called Ephrath (Gen. 35:16, 19; 48:7; Ruth 4:11). It was also called Beth-lehem Ephratah (Micah 5:2), Beth-lehem-judah (1 Sam. 17:12), and "the ci...
    [isbe] BETHLEHEM - beth'-le-hem (bethlechem; Baithleem, or Bethleem, "house of David," or possibly "the house of Lakhmu," an Assyrian deity): I. Bethlehem Judah: Bethlehem Judah, or EPHRATH or EPHRATHAH (which see) is now Beit Lahm...
    [nave] BETHLEHEM A city S.W. of Jerusalem, Judg. 17:7; 19:18. Called Ephratah and Ephrath, Gen. 48:7; Psa. 132:6; Mic. 5:2; and Beth-lehem-judah, Judg. 17:7-9; 19:1, 18; Ruth 1:1; 1 Sam. 17:12. Rachel dies and is buried at, Gen. ...

  • Philistines

    [isbe] PHILISTINES - fi-lis'-tinz, fil'-is-tinz, fil'-is-tinz (pelishtim; Phulistieim, allophuloi): I. OLD TESTAMENT NOTICES 1. Race and Origin 2. Religion 3. Individual Philistines Mentioned 4. Title of Ruler and Circumcision 5. H...
    [nave] PHILISTINES Descendants of Mizraim, Gen. 10:14; 1 Chr. 1:12; Jer. 47:4; Amos 9:7. Called Cherethites, 1 Sam. 30:14-16; Ezek. 25:16; Zeph. 2:5; Casluhim, Gen. 10:14; 1 Chr. 1:12; Caphtorim, Jer. 47:4; Amos 9:7. Territory of...

  • Jashobeam

    [ebd] dweller among the people; or to whom the people turn, the Hachmonite (1 Chr. 11:11), one of David's chief heroes who joined him at Ziklag (12:6). He was the first of the three who broke through the host of the Philistines to...
    [isbe] JASHOBEAM - ja-sho'-be-am (yashobh`am, probably "people will return"; see discussion of names compounded with `am, in HPN, 41-59): Jashobeam is mentioned in three passages (1 Ch 11:11; 12:6 (Hebrew 7); 27:2 f), but opinions ...
    [smith] (to whom the people turn), named first among the chief of the mighty men of David. (1 Chronicles 11:11) (B.C. 1046.) He came to David at Ziklag. His distinguishing exploit was that he slew 300 (or 800,) (2 Samuel 23:8) ...
    [nave] JASHOBEAM, 1. One of David's warriors, 2 Sam. 23:8; 1 Chr. 11:11; 27:2. 2. A Korhite Levite, 1 Chr. 12:6.

  • Eleazar

    [ebd] God has helped. (1.) The third son of Aaron (Ex. 6:23). His wife, a daughter of Putiel, bore him Phinehas (Ex. 6:25). After the death of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:12; Num. 3:4) he was appointed to the charge of the sanctuary ...
    [isbe] ELEAZAR - el-e-a'-zar, e-le-a'-zar ('el-`azar; Eleazar, "God is helper"): (1) The 3rd son of Aaron by Elisheba (Ex 6:23; Nu 3:2). He married one of the daughters of Putiel, who bore him Phinehas (Ex 6:25). With his father an...
    [smith] (help of God). Third son of Aaron. After the death of Nadab and Abihu without children, (Leviticus 10:6; Numbers 3:4) Eleazar was appointed chief over the principal Levites. (Numbers 3:32) With his brother Ithamar he ministe...
    [nave] ELEAZAR 1. Son of Aaron, Ex. 6:23; 28:1. Married a daughter of Putiel, who bore him Phinehas, Ex. 6:25. After the death of Nadab and Abihu is made chief of the tribe of Levi, Num. 3:32. Duties of, Num. 4:16. Succeeds Aar...
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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • Having completed the major addresses to the Israelites recorded to this point in Deuteronomy, Moses needed only to make a few final arrangements before Israel was ready to enter the land. The record of these events concludes ...
  • "A testament is of force only after the death of the testator [cf. Heb. 9:16-17]. So the Deuteronomic Covenant in it testamentary aspect . . . would not become operative until after the death of Moses. Only then would Joshua ...
  • Several factors suggest that Shamgar's victory took place sometime during the 98 years described in the previous section (vv. 12-30). First, 4:1 refers to Ehud, not Shamgar. Second, there is no reference to Israel doing evil ...
  • The Book of Samuel covers the period of Israel's history bracketed by Samuel's conception and the end of David's reign. David turned the kingdom over to Solomon in 971 B.C.3David reigned for 40 and one-half years (2 Sam. 2:11...
  • First Samuel records David's preparation. Second Samuel records his service namely his reign. In our study of 1 Samuel I mentioned three aspects of his preparation: as shepherd, as courtier, and as "outlaw."In 2 Samuel we see...
  • (Continued from notes on 1 Samuel)V. David's triumphs chs. 1-8A. The beginning of David's kingdom 1:1-3:51. David's discovery of Saul and Jonathan's deaths ch. 12. David's move to Hebron 2:1-4a3. David's overtures to Jabesh-g...
  • The battle described in these verses appears to be the one retold in 23:13-17. It could have taken place between David's anointing as king over all Israel (v. 17; cf. v. 3) and his capture of Jerusalem (vv. 6-9)71or perhaps s...
  • "From the religious heights of chapter 7 we descend again to the everyday world of battles and bloodshed in chapter 8. The military action picks up where the story left off at the end of chapter 5."130Chapter 8 evidently desc...
  • Chapters 9-20 contrast with chapters 2-8 in that this later section is negative whereas the earlier one was positive. It records failure; the former records success. Compare the similar narrative of Saul's triumphs (1 Sam. 7-...
  • The last major section of the Book of Samuel (2 Sam. 21-24) consists of six separate pericopes that together constitute a conclusion to the whole book (cf. Judg. 17-21). Each pericope emphasizes the theological message of the...
  • The combination of David's final song (ch. 22) followed by his last testament (23:1-7) recalls the similar combination of Moses' final song and his last testament (Deut. 32 and 33). This was David's final literary legacy to I...
  • There were three warriors who received higher honor than all the rest (vv. 8-12): Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. What their relationship to The Thirty was is hard to determine.313Three men from The Thirty received s...
  • Thirty-two more soldiers obtained special distinction (vv. 24-39), including Uriah the Hittite (v. 39). The writer referred to them as "The Thirty."This designation seems to have been a title for their exclusive group (cf. v....
  • David proceeded to offer sacrifices in response to Gad's instructions (v. 18). David needed to commit himself again to God (the burnt offering) and to renew his fellowship with God (the peace offering, v. 25). God instructed ...
  • When 1 Samuel opened Israel was a loosely connected affiliation of tribes with little unity and loyalty. Judges led her many of whom were weak and ineffective. Her worship was in disrepute due to corruption in the priesthood....
  • Achtemeier, Paul J., and Elizabeth Achtemeier. The Old Testament Roots of Our Faith. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1979.Ackerman, James S. "Knowing Good and Evil: A Literary Ananysis of the Court History in 2 Samuel 9-20 and ...
  • This list of great warriors reflects the greatness of David. We know something about a man or woman by the company he or she keeps. The writer identified three groups: the chiefs among David's mighty men (11:10-25), the might...
  • Numbers in Chronicles That Disagree With Their Old Testament Parallels89HigherSameLowerParallel PassageEvaluation of ChroniclesA.1 Chron. 11:11300 slain by Jashobeam, not 8002 Sam. 23:8Scribal errorB.1 Chron. 18:4Hadadezer's ...
  • Having begun this oracle by clarifying God's desire for Israel (2:1-4), the prophet proceeded to contrast her present condition. She depended on people rather than Himself, a condition that would result in divine discipline (...
  • Messiah would meet certain qualifications (vv. 2-3a) and would rule with absolute justice (vv. 3b-5) with the result that people would live in peace (vv. 6-9)11:1 The prophet had just described Assyria cut down like a forest ...
  • Isaiah revealed that the Lord's people are at the center of His plans for the world (cf. 14:2; 21:10). He will preserve them even though He will judge sinful humanity.227This passage contains many connections with the flood n...
  • These two chapters begin with an introduction of the Servant (Messiah) and His mission. That the Servant of the Servant Songs is the same person as the Anointed One (Messiah) of chapter 11 is clear from what Isaiah wrote abou...
  • "After the oracles against wicked kings, there is a promise of a righteous one, the Shoot of David."313Jeremiah just announced that none of Coniah's descendants would ever rule as kings. Now he went on to clarify that a David...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • 2 Samuel 23:1-7It was fitting that the last words of David' should be a prophecy of the true King, whom his own failures and sins, no less than his consecration and victories, had taught him to expect. His dying eyes see on t...
  • In it there is first a fourfold designation of the personality of the Psalmist-prophet, and then a fourfold designation of the divine oracle spoken through him. The word rendered in verse 1 saith' is really a noun, and usuall...
  • 2 Samuel 23:3-4Preached on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.One of the Psalms ascribed to David sounds like the resolves of a new monarch on his accession. In it the Psalmist draws the ideal of a king, and say...
  • 2 Samuel 23:15-17David's fortunes were at a low ebb. He was in hiding in his cave of Adullam, and a Philistine garrison held Bethlehem, his native place. He was little different from an outlaw at the head of a band of broken ...
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