2 Samuel 23:8-39

David's Heroes (continued). The Three and the Thirty (J). (Cf. above.)

2 Samuel 23:8. 2 Samuel 23:8 must be emended to read, instead of Josheb, etc., Ishbaal the Hachmonite, chief of the three, he lifted up his spear against eight hundred, etc. 2 Samuel 23:9 should read Eleazar ben Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men, was with David at Pas-dammim (1 Samuel 17:1), when the Philistines were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel retreated. Shammah's exploit was when the Philistines were assembled at Lehi (Judges 15:9), not into a troop.

2 Samuel 23:13. Read 2 Samuel 23:13: And three of the thirty went down and came to the rock to David to the hold of Adullam, SBOT.

2 Samuel 23:18. Read 2 Samuel 23:18: And Abishai. was chief of the Thirty,. and had a name among the Thirty, or like that of the Three. In 2 Samuel 23:20, the text is hopelessly corrupt; but apparently Benaiah slew two young lions and a lion, Ariel having arisen through the mistaken combination of -' ari, lion with letters belonging to another word. 2 Samuel 23:22 should be emended at the end like 2 Samuel 23:18.

2 Samuel 23:24. Note that the Three are men of whom we learn nothing elsewhere, apparently remarkable for nothing but personal strength and skill in hand-to-hand fighting They would enjoy public importance and popularity comparable to those accorded to famous cricketers and footballers nowadays; the Thirty enjoyed the same distinction in a less degree. They indeed include men of note in other ways: Asahel ben Zeruiah; also a son of Ahithophel, and Uriah the Hittite, besides Abishai, and Benaiah, the Captain of the Bodyguard. But the bulk of the Thirty are otherwise unknown. Joab, the most powerful man and the finest military commander in Israel, David himself not excepted, belongs to neither body; but his armour-bearers belong to the Thirty; that indicates the value of the distinction. According to 2 Samuel 23:39 the Thirty numbered thirty-seven. Possibly the original number was not adhered to; or the list may include some who were slain like Asahel and Uriah, together with those who replaced them.