2 Samuel 23:17 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 23:17

And he said, be it far from me, O Lord, that one should do this ,.... Drink of the water these men had brought him: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives ? who risked the shedding of their blood, and went in danger of their lives to get it: therefore he would not drink it : some compare with this the story of Alexander F4 Curt. Hist. l. 7. c. 5. to whom a vessel of water was offered when in extreme thirst, which he refused, because he could not... 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 23:15-17

Love, courage, and stir-sacrifice. This narrative is highly creditable to both David and these three brave men. It shows the power he had of awakening in his soldiers passionate attachment and devotedness to himself, his high appreciation of such qualities, and, at the same time his unwillingness that they should be displayed in enterprises which hazarded precious lives for no corresponding advantage. In the pouring of the water out as an offering unto the Lord, because it was too costly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:16-17

Brake through the host (or, camp ) of the Philistines. The Philistine camp was pitched in the valley of Rephaim, and to reach Bethlehem, which was more than twenty or twenty-five miles distant, these three heroes must pass close to the ground occupied by the enemy. The valley of Rephaim, in fact, extended from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and, to guard their position, the Philistines held Bethlehem with a strong garrison. Of course the heroes would use every precaution; for to be discovered... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 23:17

Better as in 1 Chronicles 11:19. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 23:17

2 Samuel 23:17. He said, Far be it from me He looked upon it no longer as water, but as the blood of those men who fetched it with the peril of their lives; and the blood of every thing belonged to the Lord, and therefore he poured it out before him. If the generosity of David’s worthies was great, David’s generosity was no less so. Such actions as these dignify human nature, and manifest an excellence and grandeur which one should not otherwise think it capable of. These things did these... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 23:17

is not this. ? Supply instead "shall I drink? "men. Hebrew. 'nosh. App-14 . in jeopardy of their lives = with their lives [in their hands]. lives = souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . "Soul "put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for "blood", which is another name for it. Compare Genesis 9:4 .Leviticus 17:11 .Deuteronomy 12:23 . App-13 . read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:17

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8-39

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:13-17

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:15-17

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:16-17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 23:17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 23:17

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:8-39

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 23:17

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