Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:9
When they defied the Philistines that were there gathered - This is supposed to refer to the war in which David slew Goliath. read more
2 Samuel 23
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:11
A piece of ground full of lentiles - In 1 Chronicles 11:13 ; it is a parcel of ground full of barley. There is probably a mistake of עדשים adashim , lentiles, for שעורים seorim , barley, or vice versa. Some think there were both lentiles 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. This is not unlikely. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:13
And three of the thirty - The word שלשים shalishim , which we translate thirty, probably signifies an office or particular description of men. Of these shalishim we have here thirty-seven, and it can scarcely be said with propriety that we have thirty-seven out of thirty; and besides, in the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 11:11-47, there are sixteen added. The captains over Pharaoh's chariots are termed שלשים shalishim , Exodus 14:7 . The Philistines pitched in ... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:15
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... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:16
Poured it out unto the Lord - To make libations, both of water and wine, was a frequent custom among the heathens. We have an almost similar account in Arrian's Life of Alexander: "When his army was greatly oppressed with heat and thirst, a soldier brought him a cup of water; he ordered it to be carried back, saying, I cannot bear to drink alone while so many are in want, and this cup is too small to be divided among the whole." Tunc poculo pleno sicut oblatum est reddito: Non... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:20
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 מואב אראל שני sheney ariel Moab may signify, as the Targum has rendered it, מואב רברבי תרין ית yath terein rabrebey Moab , "The two princes of Moab." read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:21
He slew an Egyptian - This man in 1 Chronicles 11:23 ; is stated to have been five cubits high, about seven feet six inches. He went down to him with a staff - I have known men who, with a staff only for their defense, could render the sword of the best practiced soldier of no use to him. I have seen even a parallel instance of a man with his staff being attacked by a soldier with his hanger; he soon beat the weapon out of the soldier's hand, and could easily have... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:23
David set him over his guard - The Vulgate renders this, Fecitque eun sibi David auricularium a secreto , "David made him his privy counsellor;" or, according to the Hebrew, He put him to his ears, i.e., confided his secrets to him. Some think he made him a spy over the rest. It is supposed that the meaning of the fable which attributes to Midas very long ears, is, that this king carried the system of espionage to a great length; that he had a multitude of spies in different... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:24
Asahel - was one of the thirty - Asahel was one of those officers, or troops, called the shalishim . This Asahel, brother of Joab, was the same that was killed by Abner, 2 Samuel 2:23 . read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:8
These be the names of the mighty men - This chapter should be collated with the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 11:11-47; and see Kennicott's First Dissertation on the printed Hebrew text, pages 64-471. The Tachmonite that sat in the seat - Literally and properly, Jashobeam the Hachmonite. See 1 Chronicles 11:11 . The same was Adino the Eznite - This is a corruption for he lift up his spear. See 1 Chronicles 11:11 . Eight hundred , whom ... read more