2 Samuel 23:37

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 23:37

Zelek the Ammonite ,.... Who was so either by birth, and became a proselyte; so the Targum says, he was of the children of Ammon; or is so called, because he had sojourned some time in their land, or had done some exploits against them; unless he was of Chepharhaammonai, a city of the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:24 , Naharai the Beerothite ; native of Beeroth, a city in the same tribe, Joshua 18:25 , armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah ; Joab had ten of them, this perhaps... 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 23:37

Zelek the Ammonite. The presence of an Ammonite among the thirty reminds us of the fidelity of Shobi, the son of Nahash the Ammonite king, to David (see 2 Samuel 17:27 ). Armourbearer. The written text has the plural, "armourbearers," for which the K'ri has substituted the singular. The plural is probably right, and if so, both Joab's chief armourbearers, or squires, were foreigners, Zelek being an Ammonite, and Nahari a Gibeonite (see note on 2 Samuel 4:2 ). In actual warfare we find... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 23:26-39

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

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 23:37

armourbearer. Joab's armourbearer named, but not Joab himself. See note on 2 Samuel 23:24 , above. 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 23:24-39

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

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

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