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Texts -- 2 Samuel 23:15-39 (NET)

Context
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 , 23:32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite , the sons of Jashen , Jonathan 23:33 son of Shammah the Hararite , Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite , 23:34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite , Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite , 23:35 Hezrai the Carmelite , Paarai the Arbite , 23:36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah , Bani the Gadite , 23:37 Zelek the Ammonite , Naharai the Beerothite (the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah ), 23:38 Ira the Ithrite , Gareb the Ithrite 23:39 and Uriah the Hittite . Altogether there were thirty-seven .

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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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) ...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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 ...

  • Ira

    [ebd] citizen; wakeful. (1.) A Tekoite, one of David's thirty warriors (2 Sam. 23:26). (2.) An Ithrite, also one of David's heroes (2 Sam. 23:38). (3.) A Jairite and priest, a royal chaplain (2 Sam. 20:26) or confidential adviser ...
    [isbe] IRA - i'-ra (`ira'; Eiras): (1) A person referred to in 2 Sam 20:26 as "priest" (so the Revised Version (British and American) correctly; the King James Version "a chief ruler," the American Standard Revised Version "chief m...
    [smith] (watchful of a city). "The Jairite," named in the catalogue of David?s great officers. (2 Samuel 20:26) One of the heroes of David?s guard. (2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40) Another of David?s guard, a Tekoite, s...
    [nave] IRA 1. A priest, 2 Sam. 20:26. 2. The Ithrite, one of David's heroes, 2 Sam. 23:38; 1 Chr. 11:40. 3. A Tekoite, one of David's heroes, 2 Sam. 23:26; 1 Chr. 11:28; 27:9.

  • JERIBAI

    [isbe] JERIBAI - jer'-i-bi, jer-i-ba'-i (yeribhay, meaning uncertain): One of David's mighty men of the armies (1 Ch 11:46); one of the names not found in the list in 2 Sam 23:24-29a.

  • 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. ...

  • ZABAD

    [isbe] ZABAD - za'-bad (zabhadh, perhaps a contraction for (1) zebhadhyah, "Yahweh has given," i.e. Zebadiah; or (2) zabhdi'el, "El (God) is my gift" (HPN, 222 f); Zabed(t), with many variants): (1) A Jerahmeelite (1 Ch 2:36,37), s...
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Arts

Sermon Illustrations

2 Samuel 11:3; Despondency

Resources/Books

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 ...
  • 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...
  • (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-...
  • While Joab was continuing to subdue the Ammonites the following spring by besieging Rabbah (modern Amman, the capital of Jordan; cf. 10:7), David was residing in Jerusalem (11:1). By mentioning the fact that normally kings le...
  • David compounded his sin by trying to cover it up rather than confessing it. He tried three cover-ups: a "clean"one (vv. 6-11), a "dirty"one (vv. 12-13), and a "criminal"one (vv. 14-17).178David's suggestion that Uriah go hom...
  • Two sub-sections each begin with a reference to time (vv. 1, 7) and form a literary "diptych"(i.e., two complementary panals).233The first six verses explain how Absalom undermined popular confidence in the Lord's anointed fo...
  • 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...
  • 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 ...
  • Matthew began his Gospel with a record of Jesus' genealogy because the Christians claimed that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. To qualify as such He had to be a Jew from the royal line of David (Isa. 9:6-...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • 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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