2 Samuel 23:14-16 NIV

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 23:14

And David was then in an hold ,.... In a strong hold; the strong hold of Zion, as Josephus F24 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 12. sect. 4. , or one on a rock near the cave of Adullam, see 1 Chronicles 11:15 , and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem ; which was about six miles from Jerusalem; the valley of Rephaim lay between that and Bethlehem; so far had they got into the land of Judea, and such footing in it, as to have a garrison so near its metropolis. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:15

And David longed, and said ,.... It being harvest time, the summer season, and hot weather, and he thirsty: oh, that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem , which is by the gate ! which he was well acquainted with, being his native place; and which might make it the more desirable, as well as its waters might be peculiarly cool and refreshing, and very excellent, as Kimchi suggests. This well was about a mile from Bethlehem, now called David's well, as some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:16

And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines ,.... Which lay in the valley of Rephaim, between the hold in which David was and the well of Bethlehem; these three men hearing David express himself in the above manner, though without any view that any should risk their lives to obtain it, only in a general way said, oh for a draught of the water of the well of Bethlehem! immediately set out, and made their way through the army of the Philistines to the well: and drew... 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:13-17

( 1 Chronicles 11:15-19 ). The well of Bethlehem. When a shepherd-youth, David doubtless often sat beside "the well by the gate," and refreshed himself with its cold, clear, sparkling water. But those days have long since departed; and he is now a king, with many cares. Bethlehem is occupied by a part of the Philistine host, and he is once more in "the hold" ( 2 Samuel 5:17 ; 1 Samuel 21:1 ), accompanied by his heroic band of men, to whom his every wish is equivalent to a command.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:14

An hold; Hebrew, the hold. The definite article here and in 2 Samuel 5:17 , and the mention of the Philistines as being in the valley of Rephaim, seem to indicate that David had abandoned Jerusalem upon the invasion of the Philistines, and sought refuge at Adullam (see note on 2 Samuel 5:17 ). In its neighbourhood is an isolated hill, on which, probably, was a frontier fortress, in which David prepared to defend himself. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:15

The well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate. Bethlehem is now supplied with water by an aqueduct, and the wells close to the town have ceased to exist. The cistern of "deep, clear, cool water," descsribed by Ritter, in his 'Geography of Palestine,' and now called David's Well, is three quarters of a mile to the north of Bethlehem, and too distant to be that which David meant. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:16

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8-39

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:13-17

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:15

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