2 Samuel 23
2 Samuel 23 consists of an account of David’s final words and his mighty men. This chapter briefly summarizes a poem containing David’s confession of faith (verses 1–7) and the names and accomplishments of the commanders who devoted themselves beside David for Israel (verses 8–39). The overall context emphasizes David’s faith tradition, the loyalty and unity of the community built through him, and God’s grace.
1verseNow these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:
2verse“The LORD’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.
3verseThe God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,
4verseshall be as the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after rain.’
5verseIsn’t my house so with God? Yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, for it is all my salvation and all my desire. Won’t he make it grow?
6verseBut all the ungodly will be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can’t be taken with the hand.
7verseThe man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear. They will be utterly burned with fire in their place.”
8verseThese are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; he was called Adino the Eznite, who killed eight hundred at one time.
9verseAfter him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel had gone away.
10verseHe arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and the LORD worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take plunder.
11verseAfter him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines.
12verseBut he stood in the middle of the plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD worked a great victory.
13verseThree of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
14verseDavid was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15verseDavid said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
16verseThe three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David; but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD.
17verseHe said, “Be it far from me, LORD, that I should do this! Isn’t this the blood of the men who risked their lives to go?” Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.
18verseAbishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.
19verseWasn’t he most honorable of the three? Therefore he was made their captain. However he wasn’t included as one of the three.
20verseBenaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit in a time of snow.
21verseHe killed a huge Egyptian, and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.
22verseBenaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.
23verseHe was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three. David set him over his guard.
24verseAsahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty: Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25verseShammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26verseHelez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27verseAbiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28verseZalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29verseHeleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30verseBenaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.
31verseAbialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32verseEliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33verseShammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,
34verseEliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35verseHezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
36verseIgal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
37verseZelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
38verseIra the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
39verseand Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
Structure and Flow
- David’s final words(verses 1–7): This part is like David’s spiritual last will and testament at the end of his life. He confesses that God chose him, the grace that established him as king of Israel, and his calling as a shepherd. It also shows his trust in God’s covenant and justice.
- David’s mighty men(verses 8–39): Here, 37 commanders who accomplished outstanding feats of valor are introduced. Along with each name, the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty to David that they demonstrated are described briefly. This serves as an important “hero list” in Israel’s history and suggests the importance of cooperation between the king and the people.
Message and Significance
First, this chapter looks back on David’s life and faith, teaching that true leadership is grounded in God’s choice, covenant, and righteous conduct. At the same time, it shows that even if there is a person who appears exceptional, complete leadership was possible because others devoted themselves alongside him. In the sections that record the names of ordinary people and mighty men one by one, we can glimpse the unity and importance of the entire community.
Points for Reflection
- A confession of faith before God’s covenant: We can think about what kind of effect it has on us to remember God’s faithfulness at life’s important moments, just as David did.
- The role of the community: Remembering that behind the success of one person there are many partners who sweat and shed tears alongside them, and checking whether I, too, can become a dependable companion to someone else.
Applying It to Me
- How important are “covenant” and “trust” in my life?
- I can also review how, in my home, workplace, and community, I stand in unity with others and build them up together.
- From a broad perspective, I can commit myself to an attitude of truly devoting myself even when my name is not left behind.
