2 Samuel 23

Here are Davids Worthies towards the end of his reigne. These in all thirty seven 2 Sam. XXIII. 39. whereof Joab one, the General and Captaine of the hoast, 1 Chron. XI. 6. Six chief Worthies or Colonels: And of them the first three above the other three. And the first three, Adino, or Jacobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah; exceeding the other three. Abishai the chief of the second three; and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiadah; and Asahel, who was one not of the thirty, but above the thirty, for there are thirty named after him. The three first, or three chief over the thirty, ver. 13. are described, as otherwise, so by their valiant Acts, both distinctly, and joyntly, 2 Sam.

XXIII. 8,—17. And so the two first of the next three. And these six likely were each of them over five of the thirty following, and their Regiments. The Catalogue of Davids Worchies, 1 Chron. XI. was taken when David began his reign at Hierusalem, or before; The number there is fourty seven, besides the first three, and the second three. And well might the number be more at that beginning of his reigne, then at the end of it; some of them dying in the meane time. And of others some might have two different names. The chief of all the Worthies slayes three hundred himself, aud likely in the pursuit, at the same time 500. more, by himself, or with his company; in all eight hundred.

Of him see more, 1 Chron. XXVII. 2, 3. The second defies the Philistines, when the men of Israel were fled away, and in a parcel of ground full of Barley, slew the Philistines till his hand clave unto the sword, and wrought a great victory and deliverance. Of his father, see 1 Chron. XXVII. 4 The third did the like in a piece of ground full of Lentiles. Of the other three, 1. Abishai, the brother of Joab. 2. Asahel, another brother, and Captain for the fourth moneth, 1 Chron.

XXVII. 7. slaine by Abner, whiles David reigned in Hebron. 3. Benaejah, the Captaine of Davids guard; the Cherethites and Pelethites, 2 Sam. VIII. 18. And Captaine for the third moneth, 1 Chron. XXVII. 5, 6. And afterwards by Solomon made General of the Hoast in the roome of Joab, 1 King. II. 34, 35. Of him see more, 2 Sam.

XXIII. 20, 21, 22. This Benajah, the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel, is called also a chief Priest or Principal Officer, 1 Chron. XXVII. 5. Another Benajah a Pirathonite, was one of Davids thirty Worthies, 2 Sam. XXIII. 30. And other Benajahs there were besides, that were Priests and Levites. And divers of the Captaines for the twelve moneths were of the number of Davids Worthies. And among the thirty were a son of Achitophel, Uriah the Hittite, and the armour-bearer of Joab likewise.

2 Samuel 23:5

Although my house] Rather thus interrogatively; And is not my house so with God?