2 Samuel 23:1-39 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1-7

We have here the last will and testament of king David, or a codicil annexed to it, after he had settled the crown upon Solomon and his treasures upon the temple which was to be built. The last words of great and good men are thought worthy to be in a special manner remarked and remembered. David would have those taken notice of, and added either to his Psalms (as they are here to that in the foregoing chapter) or to the chronicles of his reign. Those words especially in 2 Sam. 23:5; though... read more

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 23:1

Now these be the last words of David ,.... Which refer not to the psalm in the preceding chapter, but to what follows; not the last words he spoke, for he said many things afterwards; for the advice he gave to Solomon, and the instructions to him about building the temple, were delivered after this time; but these were the last after he had finished the book of Psalms; or the last that he spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, or that he delivered out by way of prophecy; though... read more

John Gill

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

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me ,.... 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; by whom holy men of God, the penmen of the Scriptures, spoke, even as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, of whom David was one, being a prophet; see Acts 1:16 Acts 2:30 ; so the Targum here,"David spoke by the spirit of prophecy of the Lord:'or spake "in me" F8 בי "in me", Montanus, Junius &... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:3

The God of Israel said ,.... To David, or by him; he who was the covenant God of Israel literally considered, and is the covenant God and Father of the whole spiritual Israel, and who is owned, believed in, and worshipped by them: 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:4

And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds ,.... 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,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:5

Although my house be not so with God ,.... So bright, and flourishing, and prosperous as the government of the just ruler before described; or is not "right" F13 לא כן "non recta", Cocceius. with God, meaning his family, in which great sins were committed, and great disorders and confusions brought into it, as the cases of Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah showed; or "not firm" or "stable" F14 "Non est re firma", Vitringa in Jesaiam, c. xi. 1. , through the rebellion of one, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:6

But the sons of Belial shall be all of them 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:7

But 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; or weapons of war must be made use of to conquer and destroy them, according to the sense of Ben Gersom, and which De Dieu follows; a man that meddles with them must expect to be as much hurt and wounded by them, all over the body, as if not only the point or iron head of a spear, but the wood or handle of... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1-7

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:7

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

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