2 Samuel 23:22

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 23:22

These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada ,.... Slew a lion, and two lion-like men of Moab, and an Egyptian of a gigantic stature, 2 Samuel 23:20 , and had the name among three mighty men ; of which he was one, and Abishai another, the third Asahel, one of the thirty; or was over them, 2 Samuel 23:24 , since thirty are reckoned without him. Abarbinel thinks that the third was Adina, the son of Shiza, the Reubenite, 1 Chronicles 11:42 ; since thirty were with him, and he at the... 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 23:18-23

( 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 23:21-22

2 Samuel 21:21-22. An Egyptian, a goodly man A person of great stature, 1 Chronicles 11:23. He plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand This shows him to have been both fearless, and a person of great skill and dexterity in managing a combat, either with man or beast. And had the name among three mighty men That is, among the three in the second rank, for it is said in the following verse that he did not attain or come up to the first three. Who the third was of this second rank... 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 23:8-23

1. Selected adventures of outstanding warriors 23:8-23There were three warriors who received higher honor than all the rest (2 Samuel 23:8-12): Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. What their relationship to The Thirty was is hard to determine. [Note: B. Mazar, "The Military Elite of King David," Vetus Testamentum 13 (1963):310-20.] One writer assumed they were over The Thirty. [Note: Merrill, Kingdom of . . ., p. 282.] Three unnamed men from The Thirty received special mention (2 Samuel... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 23:8-39

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

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:1-39

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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Samuel 23:1-39

Heroism 2 Samuel 23:15-16 It is abundantly clear that no one sent the three on their splendid errand. It is highly probable that had David known of their project he would have forbidden it. Some one had heard a few words of the king's soliloquy. His wish was whispered through the camp. And these men went forth unknown to him to meet it. Nor was the journey of the three through the enemy's lines mere bravado, or for fame's sake. They of all men had least temptation in these directions. It were... read more

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