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, each of whom was a courageous fighter and a national hero. These men were known simply as The Three (8-12; 1 Chronicles 11:10-14). After The Three came The Thirty, three of whom were especially remembered for the occasion on which they risked their lives because of their devotion to David (13-17). The leader of The Thirty was Joab’s brother Abishai. Another notable figure among The Thirty was Benaiah, commander of David’s bodyguard (18-23; see note on 8:18).

Although the group took its name from the number thirty, there are more than thirty names in the biblical lists. This is probably because the lists include the names of those who had been killed and those who had replaced them (24-39; 1 Chronicles 11:20-47).