Zalmon the Ahohite ,.... The same with Ilai, 1 Chronicles 11:29 ; a descendant of Ahoah, a grandson of Benjamin, 1 Chronicles 8:4 , Maharai the Netophathite , who was of Netophah, a city of the tribe of Judah, mentioned along with Bethlehem, Nehemiah 7:26 ; a place of this name is spoken of in the Misnah F15 Misn. Peah, c. 7. sect. 1. Sheviith, c. 9. sect. 5. , famous for artichokes and olives. read more
Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite ,.... Called Heled, 1 Chronicles 11:30 , Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin : sometimes called Gibeah of Benjamin, Judges 20:10 , and Gibeah of Saul, 1 Samuel 11:4 , being a city in the tribe of Benjamin, and the birth place of Saul king of Israel; and this man is distinguished hereby from Ittai the Gittite, 2 Samuel 15:19 . 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
Zalmon . He is called Ilai in 1 Chronicles 11:29 . Ahohite (see note on 1 Chronicles 11:9 ). Maharai the Netophathite. Netophah, in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem ( Ezra 2:22 ), was chiefly inhabited, after the exile, by the singers ( Nehemiah 12:28 ). Robinson identifies it with Beit-Netif, to the south of Jerusalem; but probably erroneously, as Beit-Netif is too far from Bethlehem. Maharai was commander of the tenth brigade, and was a Zarhite, and therefore belonged to the... read more
Heleb . He is called Heled and Heldai in the parallel places in Chronicles, where we are told that he was a descendant of Othniel, and commander of the twelfth brigade. Ittai . He is called Ithai, by a very slight change, in Chronicles. Gibeah is the Geba so closely connected with the history of Saul (see 1 Samuel 13:3 , 1 Samuel 13:15 , etc.). (For Ittai the Philistine, a distinct person, see 2 Samuel 15:19 .) 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
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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