Abiezer the Anethothite ,.... He was of Anathoth, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 21:18 , the birthplace of Jeremiah the prophet, Jeremiah 1:1 , Mebunnai the Hushathite ; the same with Sibbecai, 1 Chronicles 11:29 ; this man had two names, and was a descendant of Hushah, who came of Judah, 1 Chronicles 4:4 . read more
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
Abiezer . He had the command of the ninth brigade ( 1 Chronicles 27:12 ). Anathoth, now Mata, was a priestly city in Benjamin ( Joshua 21:18 ), the home of Abiathar ( 1 Kings 2:26 ), and the birthplace of Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 1:1 ). Anethothite and Antothite, in the parallel places in Chronicles, are merely different ways of pronouncing the same Hebrew consonants. Mebunnai . Written Sibbechai in 2 Samuel 21:18 , and, as the name is so written in both the parallel places in... read more
2 Samuel 23:26-39. Helez the Paltite, &c. None of the memorable acts of these or of the following worthies are recorded; therefore, all that can be said of them is, that when God determined to raise a king to a great height of power and glory, he raised up several great men to co-operate with and assist that king in his designs and undertakings. Thirty and seven in all Here are only thirty-six named. Either therefore one must be supplied whose name is not expressed among the three... read more
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. Thirty-seven Mighty Men 23:8-39One might conclude from 1 Samuel 22:2 that David’s army, made up as it was of malcontents and distressed debtors, would not have been able to accomplish anything. This list testifies to God’s blessing on David and Israel militarily by enabling his warriors to accomplish supernatural feats and to become mighty men in war. Again, God’s supernatural blessing is what this section illustrates. read more
2. A list of notable warriors among The Thirty 23:24-39Thirty-two more soldiers obtained special distinction (2 Samuel 23:24-39), including Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 23:39). The writer referred to them as "The Thirty." This designation seems to have been a title for their exclusive group (cf. 2 Samuel 23:18). Since more than 30 names appear in this list of "The Thirty" it may be that when one died, someone else took his place. Asahel, the first name listed, and Uriah, the last, had, of... read more
David’s Last Words. The Exploits of his Heroes1-7. This psalm is not contained in the book of Psalms. It is called ’the last’ (rather, ’the latter’) ’words of David,’ in contrast with the earlier psalm, which forms 2 Samuel 22. We have no other means of determining its date.2. By me] RM ’in me.’ The idea is that God used the psalmist as His instrument and spokesman to repeat His words to the people: cp. 1 Kings 22:28; Hosea 1:2.4. As the tender grass springing] render, ’when the tender grass... read more
(27) Abiezer.—He was general for the ninth month (1 Chronicles 27:12). He was of Anathoth, a priestly city of Benjamin, the home of Jeremiah.Mebunnai.—According to 2 Samuel 21:18 Sibbechai, and to 1 Chronicles 11:29 Sibbecai, these being the same in the Hebrew. The two names are much alike in the original and might be easily confused. He slew the giant Saph (2 Samuel 21:18), and was the general for the eighth month (1 Chronicles 27:11). read more
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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