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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8-38

I. The catalogue which the historian has here left upon record of the great soldiers that were in David's time is intended, 1. For the honour of David, who trained them up in the arts of exercises of war, and set them an example of conduct and courage. It is the reputation as well as the advantage of a prince to be attended and served by such brave men as are here described. 2. For the honour of those worthies themselves, who were instrumental to bring David to the crown, settle and protect... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8

These be the names of the mighty men whom David had ,.... Besides Joab his general, who is not mentioned; for 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: the Tachmonite that sat in the seat, the chief among the captains : not in the... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8

These be the names. A similar list is given in 1 Chronicles 11:10-47 , with several variations, and sixteen more names. It is given there in connection with David's elevation to the throne of all Israel, and the conquest of Jerusalem. Such catalogues might possibly be revised from time to time, and new names inserted as there were vacancies caused by death. And this seems to have been the ease with the list in Chronicles, which contains the names of all who were admitted during David's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8

The king's mighty men. From this verse to the end of the chapter is given an account of men who had distinguished themselves in the service of David by their might and prowess, and who were rewarded with promotion and a place in this honourable list. Our King, Jesus Christ, has also his mighty ones—men, women, and children—whose exploits are not forgotten. I. THEIR QUALITIES . 1 . What they are. They are the ordinary characteristics of a Christian existing in a high degree of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8-12

( 1 Chronicles 11:10-14 ). The first three heroes. Jashobeam the son of Hach-moni ( Zabdiel, 1 Chronicles 27:2 ), who came to David at Ziklag ( 1 Chronicles 12:6 ), and became general of the first division of the army; Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, general of the second division ( 1 Chronicles 27:4 ); and Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. "They served in the most direct manner by their work one who was the representative of the Divine government on earth"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8-39

The facts are: 1 . A general statement of the names of David's mighty men, with a comparative reference to some of their deeds. 2 . A more special account of the daring of three who procured water for David at the risk of their lives. 3 . The refusal of the king to drink that which had been obtained at so great a risk. Mighty men. The account here of the heroes who figured in the course of David's life is supplementary to the general history, and, while intended to set forth... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 23:8

The duplicate of this passage is in 1 Chronicles 11:0, 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 text of 2 Samuel 23:8-9 is perhaps to be corrected by comparison with 1 Chronicles 11:11-12.Chief among the captains - There is great doubt about the exact meaning of this phrase.(1) the title is given to two other... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 23:8

2 Samuel 23:8. These be the names of the mighty men whom David had Who helped to raise David to his dignity, and to preserve him in it, being continually with him in all his wars. There is a list of them also 1 Chronicles 11:0., different from this in several particulars. But Abarbinel thinks this creates no difficulty, if we do but observe that there he distinguishes them into three classes. Those that had always been with him; those that came to him at Ziklag, a little before he was made... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8-39

David’s mighty men (23:8-39)From the hundreds of men who gathered around him during his flight from Saul, David had built a loyal and tough fighting unit. This unit remained the central strength of his army throughout his long reign (see 1 Samuel 22:1-2; 1 Samuel 30:9; 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 18:1-2; 2 Samuel 20:7; 1 Chronicles 11:10; 1 Chronicles 11:10). The commander-in-chief of his army was Joab (see 8:16, 20:23).Next in rank below Joab were three generals, or commanders,... read more

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