2 Samuel 23 - Introduction
_A.M. 2986. B.C. 1018._ The last words of David, 2 Samuel 23:1. An account of his mighty men; the first three, 2 Samuel 23:8; two of the next three, 2 Samuel 23:13 : and the thirty, 2 Samuel 23:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 2986. B.C. 1018._ The last words of David, 2 Samuel 23:1. An account of his mighty men; the first three, 2 Samuel 23:8; two of the next three, 2 Samuel 23:13 : and the thirty, 2 Samuel 23:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
_These be the last words of David_ Not simply the last that he spoke, but the last which he spake by the Spirit of God, assisting and directing him in an extraordinary manner. When we find death approaching, we should endeavour both to honour God, and to profit others with our last words. Let those... [ Continue Reading ]
_His word was in my tongue_ 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 human inventions, but both the matter and the words of them were suggested by God's Spirit, the great teacher of the ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall be as the light of the morning_ These words are a further description of the king's duty, which is not only to rule with justice and piety, but also with sweetness, and gentleness, and condescension to the infirmities of his people; to render his government as acceptable to them as is the... [ Continue Reading ]
_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. _Covenant_ Notwithstanding all our t... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the sons of Belial_ Having in the foregoing verses described the nature and stability of that kingdom which God had, by a sure covenant, settled upon him and his seed; and especially upon the Messiah, who was to be one of his posterity; he now describes the nature and miserable condition of all... [ Continue Reading ]
_These be the names of the mighty men whom David had_ Who helped to raise David to his dignity, and to preserve him in it, being continually with him in all his wars. There is a list of them also 1 Chronicles 11., different from this in several particulars. But Abarbinel thinks this creates no diffi... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men of Israel were gone away_ Had fled from before the Philistines, as it is explained, 1 Chronicles 11:13, being dismayed at the sight of them. _And his hand clave unto the sword_ Being all besmeared with blood. _The Lord wrought a great victory that day_ Like that of Shamgar and of Samson; Go... [ Continue Reading ]
_After him was Shammah_ Who, although not expressly mentioned in the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 11:14, yet is plainly implied to have been engaged in this great action. For it is said, that _they set themselves_, &c., that is, Shammah and Eleazar, who joined in this enterprise. But this place, in... [ Continue Reading ]
_He said, Far be it from me_ He looked upon it no longer as water, but as the blood of those men who fetched it with the peril of their lives; and the blood of every thing belonged to the Lord, and therefore he poured it out before him. If the generosity of David's worthies was great, David's genero... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abishai was chief among three_ The chief of those three mighty men before mentioned. See 1 Chronicles 11:20. _Had the name among the three_ That is, was most eminent and famous. _Was he not most honourable?_ Worthy to be the leader of them, for his superior valour and virtue? _He attained not unto... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who had done many acts_ As Abishai also had done, who had succoured David, when a giant thought to have killed him. But their greatest acts only are here mentioned. _He slew two lion-like men of Moab _ The Hebrew word אראל, _ariel_, signifies _a lion of God_, that is, a great lion. And it was the n... [ Continue Reading ]
_An Egyptian, a goodly man_ A person of great stature, 1 Chronicles 11:23. _He plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand _ This shows him to have been both fearless, and a person of great skill and dexterity in managing a combat, either with man or beast. _And had the name among three mighty men_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shammah the Harodite_ In 1 Chronicles 11:27, he is called, _Shammoth the Harorite_, the same names of persons or places being differently pronounced according to the different dialects of divers places or ages. They that compare this catalogue with that in 1 Chronicles 11., will observe more names... [ Continue Reading ]
_Helez the Paltite_, &c. None of the memorable acts of these or of the following worthies are recorded; therefore, all that can be said of them is, that when God determined to raise a king to a great height of power and glory, he raised up several great men to co-operate with and assist that king in... [ Continue Reading ]