The narrative here given fills out a manifest defect in 2 Samuel 5:8 where something has evidently dropped out of the text.The prowess of Joab on this occasion, and the part which he took in the building of the city of David 1 Chronicles 11:8, are known to us only from this passage of Chronicles. read more
Strengthened themselves - Or “exerted themselves” - “strenuously assisted with all Israel in making David king.” This list of David’s principal heroes belongs, therefore, to his reign at Hebron. In Samuel the list is not given until nearly the end of David’s reign 2 Samuel 23:8-39. read more
Chief of the captains - Or, “of the thirty,” according to another and better reading (see 1Ch 11:15, 1 Chronicles 11:25; compare 2 Samuel 23:8 note). Jashobeam was the commander of the first monthly course of 24,090 soldiers 1 Chronicles 27:2. He is probably the warrior of the name who joined David at Ziklag 1 Chronicles 12:6. read more
Compare this passage with 2 Samuel 23:9-10.Barley - In 2 Samuel 23:11, “lentiles.” The words for barley and lentils are so similar in the Hebrew that we may fairly explain the diversity by an accidental corruption. read more
Five cubits high - About 7 ft. 6 in. high. The height is not so great as that recorded of other giants. read more
1 Chronicles 11:10. The chief of the mighty men Who helped with all their might to settle him in his kingdom. With all Israel In conjunction with all those loyal Israelites who joined with David. Yet David ascribed his success, not to the hosts he had, but to the Lord of hosts: not to the mighty men that were with him, but to the mighty God, whose presence with us is all in all. read more
1 Chronicles 11:11. Jashobeam a Hachmonite Called the Tachmonite, and Adino the Eznite, 2 Samuel 23:8. He lifted up his spear against three hundred slain, &c. By his own hand, five hundred more being slain by others then joining with him, who pursued the victory, both which sums make up the eight hundred, numbered 2 Samuel 23:8. The slaughter of all is justly ascribed to him, because it was the effect of his valour. read more
1 Chronicles 11:18-19. David would not drink of it That water which he thought too precious for his own drinking, he poured out to the Lord For a drink-offering. If we have any thing better than other, let God be honoured with it, who is the best, and should have the best. Shall I drink the blood, &c. It put him into the utmost confusion, to think three brave men should hazard their lives to fetch water for him. In his account it turns the water into blood. It is to the honour of... read more
1 Chronicles 11:20-21. Lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them He vanquished them all, and slew a great number of them: it is, however, not said that he slew them all at one time, as it is said of Jashobeam, 1 Chronicles 11:11. He attained not unto the first three He did not equal them in valiant exploits. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 11:23
Five cubits high . This height is not given in the parallel passage; it means seven feet six inches. A spear like a weaver's beam (so 1 Samuel 17:7 ; 2 Samuel 21:19 ). read more