2 Samuel 23

2 Samuel 23:1

C. David’s Mighty Men (Chap. 23)23:1-7 The first seven verses give the very beautiful last words of Davidthat is, his last inspired utterance in song. He describes the ideal ruler, the Messiah, whose reign shall be a glorious dawn, a morning without clouds after a long stormy night. David realized that he did not fit the description, but he took comfort in the fact that God’s covenant assured him that the Messiah would be descended from him. Verses 6 and 7 describe Christ’s judgment on the sons of rebellion when He returns to set up His kingdom. 23:8-12 A catalog of David’s mighty men is given in verses 8-39. It is significant that Joab is not honored in this list, probably because he killed Absalom (not to mention Abner and Amasa!). This register is near the end of David’s reign, while the parallel list in 1Ch_11:11-47 is placed at the beginning. Although not identical, there are great similarities between the two rosters. More information about these men and their exploits can be found in the commentary on 1 Chronicles 11. The first three mighty men were:

1. Josheb-Basshebeth, also called Adino the Eznitehe slew eight hundred men at one time. (1 Chron. says three hundred, but that number is probably a copyist’s error.)
2. Eleazarhe fought off the Philistines when his fellow soldiers had retreated. They returned only to strip the slain. When the battle was over, his hand was so weary (probably cramped) that he could not unclasp his fingers from the sword.
3. Shammahhe stood alone against the Philistines when the men of Israel had fled. Standing in a field . . . of lentils, he fought off the enemy and gained a great victory. 23:13-17 The three unnamed mighty men referred to here came to David when he was in the cave of Adullam, and when Bethlehem was in the hands of the Philistines. David expressed a longing for a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem. At the risk of their lives, these men broke through the lines of the Philistines and brought some water back to David. He was so overcome by this sacrifice that he poured it out as an offering to the LORD; he did not feel that he could drink it. Williams comments: Those who live close to Jesus hear the longings of His heart for draughts of love from Africa and India and China; and, like these mighty men, they turn their backs on home and wealth, and risk or lay down their lives to win for Christ the affection and service of nations held as hopelessly in the power of Satan as the well of Bethlehem was in the hand of the Philistine. 23:18-23 Two more of David’s illustrious heroes were:
4. Abishaihe killed three hundred men and was commander of the three mentioned in verse 16, though not one of them.
5. Benaiahhe killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also . . . killed a lion in . . . a pit on a snowy day, and an Egyptian who was better-armed than he. 23:24-39 The final mighty men of Davidthe thirty (or thirty-seven) are given in verses 24-39. Some numbers in this chapter need to be explained, such as the thirty chiefs (vv. 13, 24), the thirty-seven (v. 39), etc. The thirty may have been an elite military group, but counting all those who had served in it at one time or another, the total was thirty-seven. There were three in the first group: Josheb-Basshebeth (or Adino), Eleazar, and Shammah (vv. 8-12). Two were in the second group: Abishai and Benaiah (vv. 18-23). In the third group (vv. 24-39), the number “thirty” may have been a technical term, like “the twelve” for the apostles, even if one or more were not always there. It could also be quite literal, but the extra men beyond thirty may have been replacements for those who died in battle, such as Uriah the Hittite, the last valiant man in the list and Bathsheba’s husband. The Lord Jesus has His mighty men (and women!) too. He takes note of them just as surely as David took note of those who valiantly served him. Whatever our rank, let us fight the good fight of faith: Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armor on, Strong in the strength which God supplies, Through His eternal Son. Stand, then, in His great might, With all His strength endued; But take, to arm you for the fight, The panoply of God. Charles Wesley