Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 23

Introduction

Overview

2 Samuel 23:1, David, in his last words, professes his faith in God’s promises to be beyond sense or experience; 2 Samuel 23:6, The different state of the wicked; 2 Samuel 23:8, A catalogue of David’s mighty men.

Verse 1

am 2989, bc 1015, An, Ex, Is, 476

the last: Genesis 49:1, Deuteronomy 33:1, Joshua 23:1 - Joshua 24:32, Psalms 72:20, 2 Peter 1:13-15

raised: 2 Samuel 7:8, 2 Samuel 7:9, Psalms 78:70

the anointed: 1 Samuel 2:10, 1 Samuel 16:12, 1 Samuel 16:13, Psalms 2:6, Psalms 89:20

sweet psalmist: 1 Chronicles 16:4, 1 Chronicles 16:5, 1 Chronicles 16:7, 1 Chronicles 16:9, Amos 6:5, Luke 20:42, Luke 24:44, Ephesians 5:19, Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:16, James 5:13

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:16 - General 1 Chronicles 23:27 - by the last 2 Chronicles 1:8 - Thou has showed 2 Chronicles 29:30 - with the words Psalms 84:9 - the face Psalms 141:6 - for they Matthew 1:6 - Jesse Luke 2:30 - General 1 Corinthians 12:10 - prophecy Hebrews 4:7 - saying

Verse 2

Matthew 22:43, Mark 12:36, Acts 2:25-31, Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:8, 2 Peter 1:21

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:16 - General 1 Samuel 15:1 - hearken 1 Kings 1:20 - that thou 1 Chronicles 16:7 - on that day 2 Chronicles 8:14 - so had David the man of God commanded 2 Chronicles 15:1 - the Spirit 2 Chronicles 29:30 - with the words Psalms 45:1 - tongue Isaiah 11:4 - But with Jeremiah 33:15 - and he Jeremiah 50:1 - Jeremiah Matthew 10:20 - but Mark 13:11 - but Luke 1:67 - filled Luke 1:70 - spake Luke 20:42 - himself Acts 1:16 - which the Acts 2:4 - as Acts 2:30 - being Acts 4:20 - we cannot 1 Corinthians 12:10 - prophecy 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Hebrews 4:7 - saying Hebrews 10:15 - General

Verse 3

God: Genesis 33:20, Exodus 3:15, Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Exodus 20:2

the Rock: 2 Samuel 22:2, 2 Samuel 22:32, Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:30, Deuteronomy 32:31, Psalms 42:9

He that ruleth: or, Be thou ruler, etc. Psalms 110:2

must be just: Exodus 23:6-8, Deuteronomy 16:18-20, Psalms 82:3, Psalms 82:4, Proverbs 31:9, Isaiah 11:4, Isaiah 11:5, Isaiah 32:1, Jeremiah 23:5, Zechariah 9:9, Hebrews 1:8

ruling: Exodus 18:21, 2 Chronicles 19:7-9, Nehemiah 5:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:17 - God forbid Deuteronomy 1:16 - Hear Deuteronomy 25:1 - General 1 Samuel 15:1 - hearken 2 Samuel 8:15 - David executed 1 Kings 10:9 - to do 2 Chronicles 9:8 - to do judgment 2 Chronicles 19:9 - in the fear Nehemiah 7:2 - feared God Job 34:17 - even Psalms 58:1 - Do Psalms 69:6 - O God of Israel Psalms 75:2 - When Psalms 99:4 - strength Proverbs 16:10 - A divine sentence Proverbs 17:7 - much Song of Solomon 2:10 - spake Isaiah 16:5 - judging Jeremiah 22:3 - Execute Jeremiah 33:15 - and he Luke 6:48 - rock Acts 24:25 - righteousness Philippians 4:8 - are just Hebrews 7:2 - King of righteousness

Verse 4

as the light: Judges 5:31, Psalms 89:36, Psalms 110:3, Proverbs 4:18, Isaiah 60:1, Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 60:18-20, Hosea 6:5, Malachi 4:2, Luke 1:78, Luke 1:79, John 1:7

morning: Hosea 6:3

tender: Deuteronomy 32:2, Psalms 72:6, Isaiah 4:2, Micah 5:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:14 - the precious 2 Samuel 8:15 - David executed Psalms 45:6 - the sceptre Psalms 75:2 - When Psalms 99:4 - strength Proverbs 16:10 - A divine sentence Proverbs 19:12 - his Proverbs 20:8 - General Song of Solomon 6:10 - looketh Isaiah 18:4 - like a clear Jeremiah 32:40 - I will make Hosea 14:5 - as the dew

Verse 5

Although: 2 Samuel 7:18, 2 Samuel 12:10, 2 Samuel 13:14, 2 Samuel 13:28, 2 Samuel 18:14, 1 Kings 1:5, 1 Kings 2:24, 1 Kings 2:25, 1 Kings 11:6-8, 1 Kings 12:14

he hath made: 2 Samuel 7:14-16, 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, Psalms 89:3, Psalms 89:28, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 55:3, Isaiah 61:8, Jeremiah 32:40, Jeremiah 33:25, Jeremiah 33:26, Ezekiel 37:26, Hebrews 13:20

and sure: 1 Samuel 2:35, 1 Samuel 25:28, 1 Kings 11:38, Acts 13:34, Hebrews 6:19

all my salvation: Psalms 62:2, Psalms 119:81

desire: Psalms 27:4, Psalms 63:1-3, Psalms 73:25, Psalms 73:26

to grow: Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 27:6, Amos 9:11, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 3:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:16 - everlasting Genesis 15:18 - made Genesis 17:8 - everlasting Exodus 6:4 - established 1 Chronicles 7:23 - because 1 Chronicles 16:17 - an everlasting 2 Chronicles 21:7 - because Psalms 19:7 - sure Psalms 74:20 - Have Psalms 105:10 - an everlasting Psalms 111:9 - he hath Psalms 119:174 - longed Song of Solomon 3:9 - a chariot Isaiah 24:5 - broken Isaiah 26:8 - desire Isaiah 54:10 - the covenant Isaiah 56:4 - take hold Jeremiah 33:21 - may Jeremiah 50:5 - in a Ezekiel 16:60 - I will establish 1 Peter 2:2 - grow Revelation 14:6 - everlasting

Verse 6

the sons: 2 Samuel 20:1, Deuteronomy 13:13, 1 Samuel 2:12

thorns: Genesis 3:18, Song of Solomon 2:2, Isaiah 33:12, Ezekiel 2:6

Reciprocal: Judges 19:22 - sons of Belial Judges 20:13 - children of Belial 1 Samuel 9:17 - reign over 1 Samuel 25:17 - a son of Belial Psalms 118:12 - in the name Isaiah 27:4 - who would Micah 7:4 - General Nahum 1:10 - while they be

Verse 7

fenced: Heb. filled

and they shall: 2 Samuel 22:8-10, Isaiah 27:4, Matthew 3:10-12, Matthew 13:42, Luke 19:14, Luke 19:27, John 15:6, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Hebrews 6:8

Reciprocal: Judges 19:22 - sons of Belial 1 Samuel 9:17 - reign over 1 Samuel 25:17 - a son of Belial Isaiah 33:12 - thorns Ezekiel 2:6 - briers Micah 7:4 - General Nahum 1:10 - while they be

Verse 8

am 2949-2989, bc 1055-1015, An, Ex, Is, 436-476, The Tachmonite. or, Josheb-bassebet, the Tachmonite, head of the three. 1 Chronicles 11:11, 1 Chronicles 11:12, 1 Chronicles 27:2, 1 Chronicles 27:32, It is highly probable that in this version instead of yoshaiv bashshaiveth tachkemoni, we should read yoshavam ben chachmoni, "Joshebeam, son of Hachmoni;' and instead of hoo adino haetzni, hoo orair eth chanitho, "he lift up his spear," which are the readings in the parallel place in Chronicles, where it is also, "three hundred," instead of "eight hundred."

whom he slew: Heb. slain

Reciprocal: Joshua 23:10 - One man 2 Samuel 10:7 - all the host 2 Samuel 17:8 - mighty men 2 Samuel 23:13 - three 1 Kings 1:8 - the mighty 1 Chronicles 11:10 - the chief 1 Chronicles 19:8 - Joab

Verse 9

Eleazar: 1 Chronicles 11:12-14, 1 Chronicles 27:4, Dodai

defied: Numbers 23:7, Numbers 23:8, 1 Samuel 17:10, 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36, 1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:46

the men: Isaiah 63:3, Isaiah 63:5, Mark 14:50

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 17:8 - mighty men 2 Samuel 23:16 - the three 2 Samuel 23:19 - he attained Ecclesiastes 4:12 - and a

Verse 10

the Lord: Joshua 10:10, Joshua 10:42, Joshua 11:8, Judges 15:14, Judges 15:18, 1 Samuel 11:13, 1 Samuel 14:6, 1 Samuel 14:23, 1 Samuel 19:5, 2 Kings 5:1, Psalms 108:13, Psalms 144:10, Romans 15:18, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Ephesians 6:10-18

and the people: Psalms 68:12, Isaiah 53:12

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:52 - the men of Israel 2 Samuel 23:12 - the Lord 1 Chronicles 11:14 - and the Lord

Verse 11

Shammah: 1 Chronicles 11:27, Shammoth the Harorite

the Philistines: 1 Chronicles 11:13, 1 Chronicles 11:14

into a troop: or, for foraging

Verse 12

the Lord: 2 Samuel 23:10, Psalms 3:8, Psalms 44:2, Proverbs 21:31

Verse 13

three: etc. or, the three captains over the thirty, 1 Chronicles 11:15-19, Shalishim, "captains," should most probably be read, instead of shaloshim̀ thirty shalishim, as it is in 2 Samuel 23:8, and Exodus 14:7; where LXX render פסיףפבפבע, which Jerome (on Ezekiel 33:1-33) says "among the Greeks is the name of the second rank after the royal dignity."

the cave: Joshua 12:15, Joshua 15:35, 1 Samuel 22:1, Micah 1:15

the valley: 2 Samuel 5:18, 2 Samuel 5:22, 1 Chronicles 11:15, 1 Chronicles 14:9, Isaiah 17:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:5 - Rephaims Genesis 38:1 - Adullamite 1 Samuel 22:4 - in the hold 2 Samuel 23:19 - he attained 2 Chronicles 11:7 - Adullam

Verse 14

an hold: 1 Samuel 22:1, 1 Samuel 22:4, 1 Samuel 22:5, 1 Samuel 24:22, 1 Chronicles 12:16

garrison: 1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 13:4, 1 Samuel 13:23, 1 Samuel 14:1, 1 Samuel 14:6

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 13:3 - the garrison 2 Samuel 5:17 - the hold 2 Samuel 8:6 - garrisons 1 Chronicles 18:13 - garrisons Romans 5:7 - some

Verse 15

longed: Numbers 11:4, Numbers 11:5, Psalms 42:1, Psalms 42:2, Psalms 63:1, Psalms 119:81, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 44:3, John 4:10, John 4:14, John 7:37

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." John 4:14

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:20 - I will Joshua 19:15 - Bethlehem 1 Kings 21:16 - Ahab rose up 1 Chronicles 11:17 - longed Proverbs 25:25 - cold John 4:7 - Give Romans 1:11 - I long

Verse 16

the three: 2 Samuel 23:9, 1 Samuel 19:5, Acts 20:24, Romans 5:7, 2 Corinthians 5:14

poured it: Numbers 28:7, 1 Samuel 7:6, Lamentations 2:19, Philippians 2:17

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 15:14 - and smite 2 Samuel 17:8 - mighty men 2 Samuel 23:19 - he attained 1 Chronicles 11:17 - longed Ecclesiastes 4:12 - and a Amos 2:9 - I destroyed

Verse 17

Be it far: 2 Samuel 20:20, Genesis 44:17, 1 Samuel 2:30, 1 Samuel 26:11, 1 Kings 21:3, 1 Chronicles 11:19

the blood: Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:10, Psalms 72:14, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, John 6:52-54

jeopardy: Judges 5:18, 1 Corinthians 15:30

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 15:14 - and smite 1 Chronicles 11:12 - the three Lamentations 5:9 - General

Verse 18

Abishai: 2 Samuel 2:18, 2 Samuel 3:30, 2 Samuel 10:10, 2 Samuel 10:14, 2 Samuel 18:2, 2 Samuel 20:10, 1 Samuel 26:6-8, 1 Chronicles 2:16, 1 Chronicles 11:20, 1 Chronicles 11:21

and slew them: Heb. slain

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 17:8 - mighty men 2 Samuel 20:6 - Abishai 2 Samuel 20:21 - lifted 1 Chronicles 18:12 - Moreover Ecclesiastes 4:12 - and a

Verse 19

he attained: 2 Samuel 23:9, 2 Samuel 23:13, 2 Samuel 23:16, 1 Chronicles 11:25, Matthew 13:8, Matthew 13:23, 1 Corinthians 15:41

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 18:17 - Benaiah Ecclesiastes 4:12 - and a

Verse 20

Benaiah: 2 Samuel 8:18, 2 Samuel 20:23, 1 Kings 1:8, 1 Kings 1:26, 1 Kings 1:38, 1 Kings 2:29-35, 1 Kings 2:46, 1 Chronicles 18:17, 1 Chronicles 27:5, 1 Chronicles 27:6

Kabzeel: Joshua 15:21

who had done many acts: Heb. great of acts

he slew: Exodus 15:15

lionlike men: Heb. lions of God, 2 Samuel 1:23, 1 Chronicles 11:22-24, 1 Chronicles 12:8

slew a lion: Judges 14:5, Judges 14:6, 1 Samuel 17:34-37

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:35 - smote him 2 Samuel 17:8 - mighty men 2 Samuel 17:10 - heart

Verse 21

a goodly man: Heb. a man of countenance, or sight, called, 1 Chronicles 11:23, a man of great stature

slew him: 1 Samuel 17:51, Colossians 2:15

Verse 22

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:7 - General

Verse 23

more honourable: or, honourable among the thirty, 1 Chronicles 27:6

over his guard: or, over his council, Heb. at his command, 2 Samuel 8:8, 2 Samuel 20:23, 1 Samuel 22:14

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:7 - General 1 Chronicles 11:12 - the three 2 Chronicles 12:10 - the chief Ecclesiastes 4:12 - and a

Verse 24

Asahel: 2 Samuel 2:18, 1 Chronicles 11:26, 1 Chronicles 27:7

Verse 25

Shammah: 1 Chronicles 11:27, 1 Chronicles 11:28, Shammoth the Harorite

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 27:8 - Shamhuth

Verse 26

Paltite: 1 Chronicles 11:27, 1 Chronicles 27:10, Pelonite

Ira: 1 Chronicles 11:28, 1 Chronicles 27:9

Tekoite: 2 Samuel 14:2

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:39 - Helez

Verse 27

Abiezer: 1 Chronicles 11:28, Antothite, 1 Chronicles 27:12, Anetothite

Mebunnai: 1 Chronicles 11:19, Sibbecai

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 11:29 - Sibbecai

Verse 28

Maharai: 1 Chronicles 11:30, 1 Chronicles 27:13

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 11:29 - Sibbecai Ezra 2:22 - Netophah Jeremiah 40:8 - Netophathite

Verse 29

Heleb: 1 Chronicles 11:30, Heled, 1 Chronicles 27:15, Heldai

Ittai: 1 Chronicles 11:31, Ithai

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:54 - Netophathites Jeremiah 40:8 - Netophathite

Verse 30

Benaiah: 1 Chronicles 11:31, 1 Chronicles 27:14

Pirathonite: Judges 12:15

Hiddai: 1 Chronicles 11:32, Hurai

brooks: or, valleys, Deuteronomy 1:24, Judges 2:9

Reciprocal: Joshua 24:30 - Gaash

Verse 31

Abialbon: 1 Chronicles 11:32, Abiel

Barhumite: 1 Chronicles 11:33, Baharumite

Verse 32

Jashen: 1 Chronicles 11:34, Hashem, the Gizonite

Verse 33

Shammah: 1 Chronicles 11:27

Sharar: 1 Chronicles 11:35, Sacar

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 11:34 - Hashem

Verse 34

Eliam: 2 Samuel 11:3, 2 Samuel 15:31, 2 Samuel 17:23, 1 Chronicles 27:33, 1 Chronicles 27:34

Reciprocal: Joshua 12:5 - unto the 1 Chronicles 11:35 - Eliphal Jeremiah 40:8 - Maachathite

Verse 35

Hezrai: 1 Chronicles 11:37, Hezro

Verse 36

Igal: 1 Chronicles 11:38, Joel

Verse 37

Zelek: 1 Chronicles 11:39

Nahari: 1 Chronicles 11:37

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:2 - Joab

Verse 38

Ira: 2 Samuel 20:26, 1 Chronicles 2:53, 1 Chronicles 11:40

Verse 39

Uriah: 2 Samuel 11:3, 2 Samuel 11:6-27, 2 Samuel 12:9, 1 Kings 15:5, 1 Chronicles 11:41, Matthew 1:6

thirty and seven in all: From the number of these officers being thirty-seven, it is almost self-evident that shalishim cannot denote the thirty, as rendered in 2 Samuel 24:13, etc., but some particular description of men, or officers; for it can scarcely be said, with propriety, that we have thirty-seven out of thirty; and besides, in the parallel place in 1Chronicles, there are sixteen added!

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:3 - Heth 1 Samuel 26:6 - Hittite