2Sa 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
The last words of David - his last Psalm, his last “words of song” 2Sa_22:1. Or the last that he spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, or that he delivered out by way of prophecy. The insertion of this Psalm, which is not in the Book of Psalms, was probably suggested by the insertion of the long Psalm in 2 Sam. 22. The words of this song contain a glorious prediction of the Messiah’s kingdom and conquests, in highly poetic language, drawing the character of David; in which he was a type of Christ, a branch out of the root of Jesse, highly exalted, and chosen from among the people, anointed to be prophet, priest, and King; and who sweetly expounded the psalms concerning himself, and ordered them to be sung in the churches, and of which he is the subject, and may be said to be sweetly held forth in them, Luk_24:44 And He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms about Me. The psalm of thanksgiving (2 Samuel 22), in which David praised the Lord for all the deliverances and benefits that he had experienced throughout the whole of his life, is followed by the prophetic will and testament of the great king, unfolding the importance of his rule in relation to the sacred history of the future.
David the son of Jesse said - This introduction to the prophetic announcement rests, both as to form and substance, upon the last sayings of Balaam concerning the future history of Israel Num_24:3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said; same with Num_24:15). This not only shows to what extent David had occupied himself with the utterances of the earlier men of God concerning Israel's future; but indicates, at the same time, that his own prophetic utterance was intended to be a further expansion of Balaam's prophecy concerning the Star out of Jacob and the Scepter out of Israel. As David on the one hand had firmly established the kingdom of God in an earthly and political respect as the anointed of Jehovah, i.e., as king, so had he on the other, as the composer of Israel's songs of praise, promoted the spiritual edification of that kingdom.
David the son of Jesse said - As the prophets generally preface their saying with “thus saith the Lord,” so David commences his prophetic saying with “the God of Israel saith,” for the purpose of describing it most emphatically as the word of God.
David the son of Jesse said - The original word for “said” is used between 200 and 300 times in the phrase, “saith the Lord,” designating the word of God in the mouth of the prophet. It is only applied to the words of a man here, and in the strikingly similar passage Num_24:3-4, Num_24:15-16, and in Pro_30:1; and in all these places the words spoken are inspired words. The description of David is divided into four clauses, which correspond to and balance each other.
David the son of Jesse - he began with his descent, which was comparatively mean, in order to illustrate the distinguishing goodness of God to him in his exaltation:
the man who was raised up on high - from a low estate to an high one, from the sheep to the throne, to be king over all the tribes of Israel, and a conqueror, and head of the nations round about him:
the anointed of the God of Jacob - who was anointed king by Samuel by the order of the God of Jacob or Israel.
the anointed of the God of Jacob — chosen to be king by the special appointment of that God, to whom, by virtue of an ancient covenant, the people of Israel owed all their peculiar destiny and distinguished privileges.
and the sweet psalmist of Israel - who composed most of the psalms and hymns of praise for the people of Israel.
2Sa 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
The Spirit of the Lord spake by me - Hence the matter of his writing came by direct and immediate inspiration. The psalms and songs he composed were not the fruits of his own genius, but were written by him under the inspiration of the Spirit of God.
His word was in my tongue - Hence the words of this writing were as directly inspired. Not only the matter of his psalms was inspired by the Spirit of God; but the very words in which they are delivered were given to him.
2Sa 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
He that ruleth over men must be just - which is a character every king among men ought to have, administering justice to their subjects; ruling not only according to the laws of the land, but according to the law of God; having his fear before their eyes, and acting with a view to his honor and glory, whose vicegerents they are, and to whom they are accountable. They should rule with gentleness and humanity. This character, in all respects, was found in David, 2Sa_8:15; and may be here given as an instruction to his son and successor, Solomon; and is in all respects applicable to the Messiah, who is a "ruler" or King by the designation of his father; a ruler "over men", even over all men, yea, over the greatest of men, King of kings, and Lord of lords.
He that ruleth over men must be just - Here are the two principal parts of a king's duty, answerable to the two tables of God's law, justice towards men, and piety towards God, both which he is to maintain and promote among his people.
the Rock of Israel spake to me - the same with the God of Israel in other words, who is the strength and security of Israel; or the second divine Person, the Son and Word of God, is meant, who is often called a rock in Scripture; and is the rock on which the Israel or church of God is built, and in whom it remains safe and firm, the gates of hell not being able to prevail against it; and so here is an instance and proof of a trinity of persons in the Godhead; the God of Israel, Jehovah the Father; the Rock of Israel, Jehovah the Son; and the Spirit of Jehovah, as in 2Sa_23:2, who is Jehovah the Spirit: now what was said by these three divine Persons to David, and by him, and concerning himself as a type of the Messiah.
the Rock of Israel — This metaphor, which is commonly applied by the sacred writers to the Almighty, was very expressive to the minds of the Hebrew people. Their national fortresses, in which they sought security in war, were built on high and inaccessible rocks.
2Sa 23:4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
He shall be as the light of the morning - This verse is very obscure, for it does not appear from it who the person is of whom the prophet speaks. As the Messiah seems to be the whole subject of these last words of David, he is probably the person intended.
He shall be as the light of the morning - These words are a farther description of the king's duty, which is not only to rule with justice and piety, but also with sweetness, and gentleness, and condescension to the infirmities of his people.
he shall be as the light of the morning - That is, such a ruler that rules in righteousness, and in the fear of God; he is the light and glory of his people, who guides and directs them, makes them cheerful and comfortable; his administrations are pleasant and delightful, and promise a growing and increasing happiness to them, like the morning light and rising sun; and there are no clouds, nor forebodings of dark times, affliction and distress, coming upon them, but all the reverse: and with Christ these metaphors well suit, who is the true light that shines, Joh_1:9; the morning star, Rev_22:16; the dayspring from on high, Luk_1:78; the sun of righteousness, Mal_4:2; and light of the world, Joh_8:2; his going forth or appearance in human nature, at his incarnation, was as the morning, Hos_6:3; the first discovery him to Adam, after sin had brought a night of darkness on the world, was as the dawn of the morning; When Christ appeared in the flesh, the sun of righteousness then arose, and scattered the darkness of the night, both in the Jewish and Gentile world; without the darkness of the ceremonial law, the shadows of which now disappeared; and without the storms and tempests of the moral law, its curses being bore and removed by Christ; and without the frowns of divine wrath, reconciliation and satisfaction being made by him:
As the tender grass - The effects of this shining, and of the rays of his grace, shall be like the shining of the sun upon the young grass or corn, after a plentiful shower of rain. This may denote the fruitful and flourishing estate which a good and righteous ruler over men is the happy instrument of bringing his people into; and may be applied both to the incarnation of Christ, when he grew up as a tender plant, or as the tender grass, mean in his original and descent, weak in himself as man; and yet this fruit of the earth was excellent and comely, beautiful and glorious, and the springing of it owing to the favor and good will of God, and his coming was as the latter and former rain to the earth, Hos_6:3; and to the government of Christ, and the benefits of it to his church and people; who flourish under it the light of his grace and favor, and through rains of Gospel doctrines they are blessed with: or "than clear shining, than rain"; Christ is more beneficial to his people, who are comparable to grass for their meanness, and weakness, and number, than the sun and rain are to the grass in the field.
2Sa 23:5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
Although my house be not so with God - The sense of this clause will be that David comparing the actual state of his family and kingdom during the later years of trouble and disaster with the prophetic description of the prosperity of the righteous king, and seeing how far it falls short, comforts himself by the terms of God’s covenant 2Sa_7:12-16 And when your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall come out of your bowels. And I will make his kingdom sure. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not leave him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever. and looks forward to Messiah’s kingdom.
although he make it not to grow - must then mean that, although at the present time the glory of his house was not made to grow, yet all his salvation and all his desire was made sure in the covenant which would be fulfilled in due time. But most modern commentators understand both clauses as follows: “Is not my house so with God that He has made with me an everlasting covenant,” etc.? “For all my salvation and all my desire, will He not cause it to spring up?” namely, in the kingdom of Solomon, and still more fully in the kingdom of Christ.
2Sa 23:5
although he make it not to grow - The meaning is: although David’s house had not flourished in an uninterrupted course of worldly prosperity and greatness, according to his hopes; although great crimes and calamities had beclouded his family history; some of the most promising branches of the royal tree had been cut down in his lifetime and many of his successors should suffer in like manner for their personal sins; although many reverses and revolutions may overtake his race and his kingdom, yet it was to him a subject of the highest joy and thankfulness that God will inviolably maintain His covenant with his family, until the advent of his greatest Son, the Messiah, who was the special object of his desire, and the author of his salvation.
yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant - the covenant by which the kingdom was settled on David and his seed was a covenant that would continue for ever, and would be kept, as the Messiah would spring from him, in whom it was fulfilled, Luk_1:32; and the covenant of grace made with David's antitype, with Christ the head of the church, and the representative of it, and so with all his people in him, is an everlasting one: it was made with Christ from everlasting, as appears from the everlasting love of God, the source and spring of it; and from Christ being set up as the Mediator of it, it will continue to everlasting; it is a covenant that cannot be broken, will never be removed, nor give way to or be succeeded by another: it is "ordered in all things": to promote and advance the glory of all the three Persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Spirit; to secure the persons of the saints, and to provide everything needful for them for time and eternity:
for this is all my salvation - all depends upon this covenant; the safety of David's family, and the security of the kingdom in it, and to his seed, till the Messiah came, depended on the covenant made with him respecting that; and the spiritual and eternal salvation of the Lord's people depends upon the covenant of grace.
2Sa 23:6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns - There is no word in the text for sons; it is simply Belial, the good-for-nothing man, and may here refer - first to Saul, and secondly to the enemies of our Lord.
As thorns thrust away - Not like the tender grass that springs up, and flourishes after rain, and the sunshine upon that; but like thorns, useless, hurtful, and pernicious, and fit only for burning: this is true of wicked men in general, that cast off the yoke of the Lord, and become unprofitable, as Belial signifies; and of wicked governors in particular, who, instead of being helpful, are harmful to a commonwealth; and instead of being the joy and comfort of their subjects, and of giving pleasure to them, and making them cheerful and prosperous, give pain and trouble, and cause grief and sorrow; and are, if possible, to be thrust away, and deposed from government:
But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns — that is, the wicked enemies and persecutors of this kingdom of righteousness. They resemble those prickly, thorny plants which are twisted together, whose spires point in every direction, and which are so sharp and strong that they cannot be touched or approached without danger; but hard instruments and violent means must be taken to destroy or uproot them. So God will remove or destroy all who are opposed to this kingdom.
Having in the foregoing verses described the nature, and stability of that kingdom which God had by a sure covenant settled upon him and his seed; and especially, upon the Messiah, who was to be one of his posterity; he now describes the nature and miserable condition, of all the enemies of this holy and blessed kingdom.
2Sa 23:7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear - To remove these thorns, or sons of Belial, out of the way, or to defend himself against them. Weapons of war must be made use of to conquer and destroy them. He must arm himself with some iron weapon, whereby he may cut them down; or, with the staff of a spear, or some such thing, whereby he may thrust them away from himself, that they do him no hurt.
2Sa 23:8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
The duplicate of this passage is in 1 Chr. 11, where it is in immediate connection with David’s accession to the throne of Israel, and where the mighty men are named as those by whose aid David was made king. The document belongs to the early part of David’s reign.
The following list of David's heroes we also find in 1 Chron 11:10-47, and expanded at the end by sixteen names (1Ch_11:41-47), and attached in 1Ch_11:10 to the account of the conquest of the fortress of Zion by the introduction of a special heading. According to this heading, the heroes named assisted David greatly in his kingdom. In every other respect the two lists agree with one another, except that there are a considerable number of errors of the text, more especially in the names, which are frequently corrupt in both texts, to that the true reading cannot be determined with certainty. The heroes enumerated are divided into three classes. The first class consists of three, viz., Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah, of whom certain brave deeds are related, by which they reached the first rank among David's heroes (2Sa_23:8-12). They were followed by Abishai and Benaiah, who were in the second class, and who had also distinguished themselves above the rest by their brave deeds, though they did not come up to the first three (2Sa_23:18-23). The others all belonged to the third class, which consisted of thirty-two men, of whom no particular heroic deeds are mentioned (vv. 24-39). Twelve of these, the five belonging to the first two classes and seven of the third, were appointed by David commanders of the twelve detachments into which he divided the army, each detachment to serve for one month in the year (1 Chron 27). These heroes, among whom we do not find Joab the commander-in-chief of the whole of the forces, were the king's aides-de-camp.
Chief among the captains - There is some doubt about the exact meaning of this phrase.
Eight hundred - Three hundred is the reading in 1 Chronicles, and seems to be the true one. 1 Chronicles 11:11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had : Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, the chief of the captains. He lifted up his spear against three hundred, who were killed by him at one time. Some think that he engaged with eight hundred, and slew three hundred of them, when the rest fled, and were pursued and killed by his men; the slaying of them all is ascribed to him; others think that there were two battles, in which this officer was engaged; at one of them he slew eight hundred, and at the other three hundred. 2 Sam 23:8 These are the names of the mighty men of David: Jebosthe the Chananite is a captain of the third part: Adinon the Asonite, he drew his sword against eight hundred soldiers at once. (Septuagint)
The Tachmonite that sat in the seat - Literally and properly, Jashobeam the Hachmonite. This one verse, according to one scholar, contains three corruptions in the Hebrew text: 1. The proper name of the hero Jashobeam is turned into two common words, rendered, that sat in the seat. 2. The words, he lift up his spear, are turned into two proper names: he was Adino the Eznite. 3. The number eight hundred was probably at first three hundred, as in 1Ch_11:11.
the Tachmonite that sat in the seat - in the chief seat in the council of war, where he presided under the general; rather he was the chief of the three to whom he belonged; his name, in 1Ch_11:11, is Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, or the son of an Hachmonite, the same as in 1Ch_27:2; and here it may be as well read Josheb-bashebeth the Tachmonite.
The same was Adino the Eznite - Possibly a corruption for he lift up his spear. 1Ch_11:11. Some think it is a real alternative name for Jashobeam and that he is so called either from the family he was of, or from the place of his birth
These be the names of the mighty men whom David had - these were all military men under him, which are distinguished into three classes; the first and highest consisted of three only, who were general officers; and the second also of three, who perhaps were colonels of regiments; and the third of thirty, who were captains of thousands and hundreds:
2Sa 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
Gone away - These words and what follows as far as “troop” 2Sa_23:11 have fallen out of the text in Chronicles. The effect of this is to omit EIeazar’s feat, as here described, to attribute to him Shammah’s victory, to misplace the flight of the Israelites, and to omit Shammah altogether from the list of David’s mighty men.
the men of Israel were gone away - fled when they saw the Philistines gather together to fight them, notwithstanding they had defied them; and so David, and his three mighty men, were left alone to combat with the Philistines. 1Ch_11:13 He was with David at Pas-dammim. And there the Philistines were gathered together to battle and a portion of the field was full of barley. And the people fled from before the Philistines.
When they defied the Philistines that were there gathered - The battle was at Pasdammim, as appears from 1Ch_11:13 He was with David at Pas-dammim. And there the Philistines were gathered together to battle and a portion of the field was full of barley. And the people fled from before the Philistines.
Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite - Or the son of Ahohi, perhaps the same with Ahoah, a descendant of Benjamin, 1Ch_8:4; this Eleazar was the next to the Tachmonite, the second worthy of the first class:
one of the three mighty men with David - the second of the three valiant men that were with David in his wars, and fought with him, and for him:
2Sa 23:10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary - He rose up when the Israelites fled, and stood his ground alone, and fought with the Philistines, and smote them with his sword, until his hand was weary with smiting:
his hand clave unto the sword - which was contracted by holding it so long, and grasping it so hard, that it could not easily be got out of it; or through the quantity of blood which ran upon his hand, as it was shed, and which being congealed, and dried, caused his hand to stick to the hilt of his sword, so that they were, as it were, glued together by it; or the sense may be only, that though weary, he did not drop his sword, but held it fast till he had destroyed the enemy:
the Lord wrought a great victory that day - for to him it must be ascribed, and not to the strength and valour of the man:
the people returned after him only to spoil - they that fled, when they saw what a victory was obtained by him, returned and came after him; not to help him in smiting, but to spoil those that were slain, and strip them of what they had.
2Sa 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
Hararite - Interpreted to mean “mountaineer,” one from the hill country of Judah or Ephraim. One who was of the mountainous country, the hill country of Judea, of Hebron, or the parts adjacent; this was the third of the first three; there was one of this name among the thirty, 2Sa_23:33.
A piece of ground full of lentiles - In 1Ch_11:13 it is a parcel of ground full of barley. Some think there were both lentils and barley in the field, and that a marauding party of the Philistines came to destroy or carry them off, and these worthies defeated the whole, and saved the produce of the field.
2Sa 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
defended it - the field, so that the Philistines could not ravage it, and get food and forage from it:
2Sa 23:13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
The troop of the Philistines - The word rendered “troop” occurs in this sense only here. In 1 Chr. 11, as in 2Sa_23:16 the reading is “host” or “camp,” which may be the true reading here.
Valley of Rephaim - Valley of Giants. This is the same war which is spoken of 2Sa_5.
And three of the thirty - The word translated thirty, probably signifies an office or particular description of men. Of these here we have here thirty-seven. In the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 11:11-47, there are sixteen added.
2Sa 23:14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
And David was then in an hold – in a strong hold.
the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem - which was about six miles from Jerusalem; the valley of Rephaim lay between that and Bethlehem; so far had they got into the land of Judea, and such footing in it, as to have a garrison so near its metropolis.
2Sa 23:15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
The water of the well of Bethlehem - This was David’s city, and he knew the excellence of the water which was there; and being near the place, and parched with thirst, it was natural for him to wish for a draught of water out of that well. These three heroes having heard it, though they received no command from David, broke through a company of the Philistines, and brought away some of the water. When brought to David he refused to drink it: for as the men got it at the hazard of their lives, he considered it as their blood, and gave thereby a noble instance of self-denial. There is no evidence that David had requested them to bring it; they had gone for it of their own accord, and without the knowledge of David.
The water of the well of Bethlehem - Bethlehem signifies the "house of bread," and the place was likewise noted for excellent water. There Christ was born, who is the "bread of life," and who also gives us the "water of life." "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." Joh_4:14
David longed - It being harvest time, the summer season, and hot weather, and he thirsty:
David longed - some Christian writers are of opinion, that not literal but spiritual water was desired by him, and that he thirsted after the coming of the Messiah, to be born at Bethlehem, and the living water which he only can give, Joh_4:10.
2Sa 23:16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
Brake through the host - Their camp was pitched in the valley of Rephaim 2Sa_23:13; 1Ch_11:15, between the hold in which David was and the well of Bethlehem
Poured it out unto the Lord - as a libation to him, it being rather blood than water, being fetched at the hazard of men's lives, and therefore more fit to be offered as a sacrifice to God than to be drank by him. It was too costly for his own use, none but the Lord was worthy of it. As a kind of drink offering, it was acknowledgment of God's goodness in preserving the lives of his captains in so dangerous an enterprise; and to show, that he esteemed it as a sacred thing, which it was not fit for him to drink.
2Sa 23:17 And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
2Sa 23:18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among the three - Another triumvirate: It was Abishai’s prowess on this occasion that raised him to be chief of this triad.
2Sa 23:19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
Was he not most honourable of three - He was; who, besides the exploit here mentioned, did many other things; he went down with David into Saul's camp, and took away his spear and cruse, which were at his bolster, 1Sa_26:6; he relieved David when in danger from Ishbibenob the giant, 2Sa_21:16; he beat the Edomites, and slew eighteen thousand of them in the valley of salt, 1Ch_18:12,
howbeit he attained not unto the first three - the triad, namely, which consisted of Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah. That two triads are mentioned is a simple fact, although only five names are given. The mighty men or champions in David’s military staff were divided into three classes - the highest, Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah; the second class, Abishai, Benaiah, and Asahel; and the third class, the thirty, of which Asahel was the chief. There are thirty-one mentioned in the list, including Asahel; and these added to the two superior orders make thirty-seven. Two of them, we know, were already dead; namely, Asahel 2Sa_3:30 And Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. and Uriah 2Sa_11:17 And the men of the city went out and fought with Joab. And some of the people of the servants of David fell. And Uriah the Hittite also died.
howbeit he attained not He fell short of them in strength and valor.
2Sa 23:20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada - He commanded the Cherethites and Pelethites all through David’s reign 2Sa_8:18; 2Sa_20:23, and took a prominent part in supporting Solomon against Adonijah when David was dying, and was rewarded by being made captain of the host in the room of Joab 1Ki_1:8, 1Ki_1:26, 1Ki_1:32-40; 1Ki_2:25-35; 1Ki_4:4. It is possible that Jehoiada his father is the same as Jehoiada 1Ch_12:27, leader of the Aaronites, since “Benaiah the son of Jehoiada” is called a “chief priest” 1Ch_27:5.
Two lion-like men - The Hebrew word means literally “lion of God,” and is interpreted to mean “an eminent hero.” Instances occur among people of that region of the surname “lion of God” being given to great warriors. Hence, it is supposed that the same custom prevailed among the Moabites.
Slew a lion - Apparently in a severe winter a lion had come up from its usual haunts to some village in search of food, and taken possession of the tank or cistern to the terror of the inhabitants, and Benaiah attacked it boldly and killed it. Winter is when lions are most fierce, both from the sharpness of their appetite in cold seasons, and from want of provisions.
Two lion-like men of Moab - Some think that two real lions are meant; some that they were two savage gigantic men; others, that two fortresses are meant. The words Moab may signify, as the Targum has rendered it, “The two princes of Moab.”
the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel - A city in the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:21; one scholar says Benaiah was David's brother's son, and a grandson of Jesse:
2Sa 23:21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
He slew an Egyptian - 1Ch_11:23 And he killed an Egyptian, a man of stature, five cubits high. And in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam. And he went down to him with a staff and wrenched the spear out of the Egyptians hand, and killed him with his own spear. This man in is stated to have been five cubits high, about seven feet six inches.
the Egyptian had a spear in his hand - as large as Goliath's; for in 1Ch_11:23, it is said to be like a weaver's beam, as Goliath's was; 1Sa_17:7.
plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand - and therefore must be a man very nimble and dexterous, as well as bold and courageous:
2Sa 23:22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
2Sa 23:23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
David set him over his guard - according to the Hebrew, He put him to his ears, confided his secrets to him.
David set him over his guard - his bodyguard, the Cherethites and Pelethites, 2Sa_8:18; who are called in the Hebrew text "his hearing", because they hearkened to his orders and commands, and obeyed them.
2Sa 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
Asahel - The early death of Asahel 2Sa_2:32 would make it very likely that his place in the 30 would be filled up, and so easily account for the number 31 in the list. This Asahel, brother of Joab, was the same that was killed by Abner, 2Sa_2:22-23 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to Joab your brother? However he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him with the blunt end of the spear in the belly, and the spear came out behind him. And he fell down there, and died in the same place. And it happened that everyone who came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.
Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem - a townsman of David. Not seen in scripture again.
2Sa 23:25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
Shammah the Harodite - Called Shammah the Harorite in 1Ch_11:27.
2Sa 23:26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Helez the Paltite - in 1Ch_11:27, he is called the Pelonite:
Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite - who was of the city of Tekoah, the native place of Amos the prophet, famous for oil, about twelve miles from Jerusalem.
2Sa 23:27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
Abiezer the Anethothite - He was of Anathoth, in the tribe of Benjamin, Jos_21:18, the birthplace of Jeremiah the prophet, Jer_1:1,
Mebunnai the Hushathite - the same with Sibbecai, 1Ch_11:29; this man had two names, and was a descendant of Hushah, who came of Judah, 1Ch_4:4.
2Sa 23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
Zalmon the Ahohite - The same with Ilai, 1Ch_11:29; a descendant of Ahoah, a grandson of Benjamin, 1Ch_8:4,
Maharai the Netophathite - who was of Netophah, a city of the tribe of Judah, mentioned along with Bethlehem, Neh_7:26.
2Sa 23:29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite - Called Heled, 1Ch_11:30,
Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin - sometimes called Gibeah of Benjamin, Jdg_20:10, and Gibeah of Saul, 1Sa_11:4, being a city in the tribe of Benjamin, and the birth place of Saul king of Israel; and this man is distinguished hereby from Ittai the Gittite, 2Sa_15:19.
2Sa 23:30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
Benaiah the Pirathonite - Who was of Pirathon, a city in the tribe of Ephraim, Jdg_12:15.
Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash - which perhaps ran by the hill Gaash, and was also in the tribe of Ephraim, Jos_24:30. This man is called Hurai, 1Ch_11:32.
2Sa 23:31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
Abialbon the Arbathite - A native of Betharabah, either in the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:6, or in the tribe of Benjamin, Jos_18:18; he is called Abiel in 1Ch_11:32,
Azmaveth the Barhumite - or Bachurimite, an inhabitant of Bachurim or Bahurim, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, 2Sa_16:5.
2Sa 23:32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
Eliahba the Shaalbonite - Of Shaalboa or Shaaiabin, a city in the tribe of Dan, Jos_19:42.
of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan - in 1Ch_11:34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
2Sa 23:33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
Shammah the Hararite - From the mountainous country.
Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite - from the high mountain; in 1Ch_11:35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur.
2Sa 23:34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite - In 1Ch_11:35, he is called Eliphal the son of Ur:
Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite - David's counselor, that went off to Absalom, 2Sa_15:12; Eliam his son is supposed, by the Jewish tradition, to be the father of Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, 2Sa_11:3 And David sent and asked about the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?.
2Sa 23:35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
Hezrai the Carmelite - of Carmel in the mountains of Judah (1Sa_25:2), he is called Hezro, 1Ch_11:37,
Paarai the Arbite - or from Arab, a city in the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:52.
2Sa 23:36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah - kingdom in Syria, 2Sa_8:3. It is remarkable that we have several foreigners at this part of the list: Igal of Zobah, Zelek the Ammonite, Uriah the Hittite, and perhaps Nahari the Beerothite. The addition of Zelek to the mighty men was probably the fruit of David’s war with Ammon 2Sa_8:12; 10; 2Sa_12:26-31.
Bani the Gadite - who was of the tribe of Gad, as the Targum.
2Sa 23:37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
Zelek the Ammonite - Who was so either by birth, and became a proselyte; he was of the children of Ammon; or is so called, because he had sojourned some time in their land, or had done some exploits against them; unless he was of Chepharhaammonai, a city of the tribe of Benjamin, Jos_18:24,
Naharai the Beerothite - native of Beeroth, a city in the same tribe, Jos_18:25,
armorbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah - Joab had ten of them, this perhaps was the chief of them, 2Sa_18:15; who was advanced to be a captain, and therefore has a name and place among the thirty, very likely for some military, exploits performed by him; he is in the list of David's worthies, Uriah the Hittite, after mentioned, was an armorbearer to Joab.
2Sa 23:38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite - both of them Jithrites, i.e., sprung from a family in Kirjath-jearim (1Ch_2:53). These were of Jether, descendant of Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, 1Ch_2:50 1Ch_4:15.
2Sa 23:39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
Thirty and seven in all - This reckoning is correct, though only 36 “names” are given, the names of only two of the second triad being recorded, but 31 names are given from 2Sa_23:24 to the end, which, added to the two triads, or six, makes 37. Joab as captain of the whole host stands quite alone. In 1Ch_11:41-47; after Uriah the Hittite, there follow sixteen other names, probably the names of those who took the places of those in the former list, who died from time to time, or who were added when the number was less rigidly restricted to thirty.
Uriah the Hittite - The husband of Bathsheba; 2Sa_11:3,
thirty and seven in all - From the number of these officers being thirty-seven, it is almost self-evident that Hebrew word cannot denote the thirty, as rendered in 2Sa_24:13, etc., but some particular description of men, or officers; for it can scarcely be said that we have thirty-seven out of thirty; and besides, in the parallel place in 1Chronicles, there are sixteen added.
