2 Samuel 23:18

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 23:18

And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among the three ,.... Another triumvirate, of which he was the head: and he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them ; Josephus F5 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 12. sect. 4. says six hundred; this seems to confirm the reading of 2 Samuel 23:8 , that the number eight hundred is right, for if it was only three hundred, Abishai would have been equal to one, even the first, of the former three; which yet is denied... 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 23:18

Abishai … was chief among three. The sense is obscured in the Authorized Version by the translators having failed to notice the presence of the definite article. Abishai, by reason of this exploit, became "chief of the three;" that is, of the second order of three established in the fraternity of the mighties. At the end of the verse, and in 2 Samuel 23:19 , the Authorized Version strangely puts the article where it is absent in the Hebrew, and omits it where it is present. The right... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:18-23

( 1 Chronicles 11:22-25 ). The heroism of Benaiah. He was son of Jehoiada, chief priest and leader of the Aaronites who came to David at Hebron ( 1 Chronicles 12:27 ); one of (a second) three "mighties" (with Abishai and, perhaps, Asahel), and above the thirty ( 1 Chronicles 27:5 , 1 Chronicles 27:6 ); captain of the host for the third month; and commander of the body guard ( 2 Samuel 8:18 ; 2 Samuel 20:23 ). He remained faithful to Solomon in the conspiracy of Adonijah, was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 23:18

Three - “The three” 2 Samuel 23:22. It was Abishai’s prowess on this occasion that raised him to be chief of this triad. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 23:18-19

2 Samuel 23:18-19. Abishai was chief among three The chief of those three mighty men before mentioned. See 1 Chronicles 11:20. Had the name among the three That is, was most eminent and famous. Was he not most honourable? Worthy to be the leader of them, for his superior valour and virtue? He attained not unto the first three He fell short of them in strength and valour. 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 23:18

Abishai. Mentioned in 2 Samuel 10:10 , 2 Samuel 10:14 ; 2Sa 16:9 ; 2 Samuel 18:2 ; 2 Samuel 19:21 , 1 Samuel 26:6-9 . was the [was]. among = of. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:18

THE PROMINENCE OF ABISHAI; JOAB'S BROTHER"Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and slew them, and won a name besides the three. He was the most renowned of the thirty; but he did not attain to the three."Abishai was indeed a great soldier for David. He accompanied David into Saul's camp when David took Saul's spear; he once saved David's life, and he was ready to Execute Shimei if David had allowed it. read more

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