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Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

2 Samuel 23

2 Samuel 23:1

2 SAMUEL CHAPTER 23 David's last words: a character of himself; of a good ruler, and his usefulness, 2 SAMUEL 23:1. His faith on God's covenant with him, 2 SAMUEL 23:5. Destruction to the wicked, 2 SAMUEL 23:6,7. David's worthies and their valiant acts, 2 SAMUEL 23:8. THE LAST WORDS OF DAVID; not si... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:2

The following words, and consequently the other words and Psalms composed and uttered by me upon the like solemn occasions, are not to be looked upon as my private fancies or human inventions, but both the matter and the words of them are suggested and governed by God's Spirit, which is the great Te... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:3

THE ROCK OF ISRAEL; he who is the strength, and defence, and protector of his people; which he here manifests by obliging and directing kings and rulers so to manage their power and authority. as may most conduce to their comfort and benefit. SPAKE TO ME, by way of command; or, _of me_, by way of pr... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:4

These words are either, 1. A further description of the king's duty, which is not only to rule with exact justice and piety, but also with sweetness, and gentleness, and condescension to the infirmities of his people; to render his government as pleasant and acceptable to them as is the sunshine in... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:5

ALTHOUGH MY HOUSE BE NOT SO WITH GOD; although God knows that neither I nor my children have lived and ruled as we should have done, so justly, and in the fear of the Lord; and therefore have not enjoyed that uninterrupted prosperity which we might have enjoyed; but our morning light, or the beginni... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:6

THE SONS OF BELIAL, or, the men of Belial, as it is expressed 2 SAMUEL 16:7, and elsewhere. Having in the foregoing verses described the nature, and felicity, and stability of that kingdom which God himself had by a sure and everlasting covenant settled upon him and his seed; and especially, upon th... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:7

THE STAFF OF A SPEAR; so the meaning is, he must fill his hand, or arm himself _with_ some _iron_ weapon, whereby he may cut them down; or, _with the staff of a spear_, or some such like thing, whereby he may thrust them away from himself, that they do him no hurt. Or thus, _he will be filled_, or _... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:8

OF THE MIGHTY MEN WHOM DAVID HAD, i. e. of his chief and most valiant commanders. And as it was noted upon 2 SAMUEL 21:1, that the things related in that chapter were done before Absalom's and Sheba's rebellion, though they be mentioned after them; so that opinion is confirmed by this catalogue, whi... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:9

THE AHOHITE; of the children of _Ahoah_, 1 CHRONICLES 8:4. ONE OF THE THREE, i. e. one of the first three, 2 SAMUEL 23:19. MIGHTY MEN WITH DAVID; who were with David at this time, or who usually attended upon David. WHEN THEY DEFIED THE PHILISTINES; when he either in the name of all the Israelites,... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:10

HE AROSE, i. e. he undertook the work, as that word sometimes is used. Or, _he stood_ (as it sometimes signifies) when the rest fled. HIS HAND CLAVE UNTO THE SWORD; either through sweat or blood, or by a contraction of the sinews. Or thus, _yet did his hand cleave to his sword_, i.e. though he was w... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:11

FULL OF LENTILES, or _barley_, as it is 1 CHRONICLES 11:13; for both might very well grow in the same field, in divers parts of it. And this fact is ascribed to Eleazar, 1 CHRONICLES 11:12, but so as it is implied that he had some partner or partners in it: for it is there said, 1 CHRONICLES 11:14,... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:13

THREE OF THE THIRTY; either, 1. The three already named, as is generally supposed, because it is said of them, in the close of this history, 1 CHRONICLES 11:19, _These things did these three mightiest_. But in the Hebrew it is only _these three mighty men_, as the same words are rendered here, 2 SA... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:15

Being hot and thirsty, he expresseth how acceptable a draught of that water would be to him, as is usual with men to do in such cases; but was far from desiring or expecting that any of his men should hazard their lives to procure it, as appears from 2 SAMUEL 23:17.... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:16

THE HOST OF THE PHILISTINES was in the valley of Rephaim, 2 SAMUEL 23:13, and in the way to Beth-lehem. HE WOULD NOT DRINK THEREOF; lest by gratifying himself upon such terms, he should seem either to set too high a price upon the satisfaction of his appetite, or too low a price upon the lives of hi... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:17

IS NOT THIS THE BLOOD OF THE MEN, i.e. the price of their blood or lives, which they rashly exposed to manifest hazard? THESE THINGS DID THESE THREE MIGHTY MEN; either one of these three are here omitted, as one of the first three is not named, 1CH 11; or Abishai, who follows next, was one of these... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:18

He fought with and killed three hundred men in one battle. HAD THE NAME AMONG THE THREE, i.e. was the most famous and eminent among them.... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:20

OF KABZEEL; a place in Judah, JOSHUA 15:21. WHO HAD DONE MANY ACTS: this may belong either to _Benaiah_, or to his father, to note that Benaiah was a son becoming such a father. TWO LIONLIKE MEN, for courage and strength. Or, _lions of God_, i.e. great and strong lions. Or, two gigantic persons; and... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:23

Heb. _over_ (for _el_ is sometimes put for _al_) the men (which is oft understood, as hath been noted before) _of his command_. So his guard is called, because they were always at the king's hand, ready to hear and receive the king's commands, and to put them in execution. Over the Cherethites and P... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:25

In 1 CHRONICLES 11:27, SHAMMOTH THE HARORITE; concerning which and such-like alterations, and other changes of the names, which will be observed by comparing this catalogue with that, it will be sufficient to suggest, 1. That the same names of persons or places are differently pronounced, according... [ Continue Reading ]

2 Samuel 23:39

Here are but thirty-six named; either therefore one must be supplied whose name is not expressed among the three second worthies, or Joab is comprehended in the number, as being the lord-general of all.... [ Continue Reading ]

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