2 Samuel 23: David's last words, and David's mighty men
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What happens?
The chapter gives the last words of David, in which he says that Yahweh's Spirit spoke by him: a man who rules over people in righteousness and in the fear of God is like morning light, and God has made an everlasting covenant with David, but the worthless will be like thorns that are burned. Then it names David's mighty men. Three of them did great deeds: Josheb Basshebeth, who killed eight hundred at one time, and Eleazar and Shammah, who fought the Philistines. Three men broke through the Philistine camp to bring David water from the well of Bethlehem, which he poured out to Yahweh. Abishai and Benaiah are honored, and the text lists the Thirty, ending with Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the chapter. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words of his own here. In verses 2 to 7 David speaks his last words; in verse 3 he tells what the God of Israel said to him, and those are David's words about God, not God speaking in the scene. David speaks again in verses 15 and 17. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Now 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:
In plain English: These are the last words of David. This is the saying (literally: the oracle) of David the son of Jesse, the saying of the man who was raised up on high (or: raised up by the Most High), the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet singer of Israel's songs (or: the one Israel's songs delight in; this Bible: the sweet psalmist of Israel):
The Hebrew word: "Says" is neum, which the dictionary gives as "an oracle". It is in 358 verses, and about 7 times in 10 it is in the words "says Yahweh". Balaam's sayings open the same way: "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says" (, ).
The Hebrew words: "Raised on high" is from al, which the dictionary gives as "properly, the top; specifically, the highest (i.e. God)". "The sweet psalmist of Israel" is word for word "the pleasant one of the songs of Israel": naim, "delightful", with zamir, "a song to be accompanied with instrumental music". The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "Faithful is David the son of Jessæ", and "beautiful are the psalms of Israel".
What changes: "Raised on high" can be read as raised up high, or as raised up by the Most High. "The sweet psalmist of Israel" can be read as the pleasant singer of Israel's songs, or as the one Israel's songs delight in. Samuel anointed David in , and the text says "Yahweh's Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward".
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2“Yahweh’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.
In plain English: "Yahweh's Spirit spoke through me (this Bible: by me). His word was on my tongue.
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3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,
In plain English: The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'One who rules over people (this Bible: men) in righteousness, who rules in the fear of God,
Good to know: These are David's words. In verse 3 he tells what the God of Israel said to him, and in verse 2 he says Yahweh's Spirit spoke by him. The text gives no other scene where God says these words, so they are not in gold.
The Hebrew words: The Hebrew of verses 3 and 4 is short and hard. Word for word it reads "one ruling over man, righteous, ruling the fear of God, and like the light of morning the sun rises, a morning without clouds, from brightness, from rain, grass from the earth". This Bible adds "shall be" to make one sentence. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has a different line here: "A watchman out of Israel spoke to me a parable: I said among men, How will ye strengthen the fear of the anointed?"
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4shall 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.’
In plain English: is like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the new grass comes up out of the earth through the bright shining after rain.'
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5Isn’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?
In plain English: Is not my house like this with God? (Or: My house is not like this with God.) Yet he has made an everlasting covenant with me, set in order in every part and made secure. For it is all my salvation and all my desire. Will he not make it grow?
The Hebrew words: The first words of the verse are word for word "for not so my house with God". The Hebrew has no question mark, so they can be read as a question or as a plain statement. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) reads them as a statement: "For my house is not so with the Mighty One".
What changes: Read as a question, as this Bible has it, David says his house is like the morning light of verse 4. Read as a statement, he says his house is not like it, and yet God has made an everlasting covenant with him. Either way, David speaks of the covenant Yahweh made with his house. Nathan brought the words "Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you" ().
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6But all the ungodly will be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can’t be taken with the hand.
In plain English: But the worthless (this Bible: ungodly) are all like thorns that are thrown away, because no one can pick them up with the hand.
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7The 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.”
In plain English: The man who touches them must arm himself with iron and the shaft of a spear. They will be burned up completely with fire where they lie (this Bible: in their place)."
The Hebrew word: "In their place" is shevet, which the dictionary gives as "properly, session; but used also concretely, an abode or locality". The STEPBible meaning for this verse gives "at the dwelling". The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "they shall be burnt in their shame".
What changes: Read as "in their place", the thorns are burned right where they are. Read as "at the dwelling", they are burned where they sit or stay. Either way, the worthless are burned with fire.
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8These 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.
In plain English: These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb Basshebeth, a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains (or: of the three). He was called Adino the Eznite (or, word for word: his spear). He killed eight hundred men at one time.
The Hebrew words: "Adino the Eznite" is two Hebrew words. The dictionary gives the first, adino, as "his spear", and the second, etsen, as "a spear". "Chief of the captains" is shalish, which the dictionary gives as "a triple" and "(as an officer) a general of the third rank (upward, i.e. the highest)". tells of the same man: "Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time".
What changes: Read as names, as this Bible has it, the man was also called Adino the Eznite. Read with the dictionary, the words speak of his spear, used against eight hundred, as 1 Chronicles 11:11 says "he lifted up his spear". The Hebrew here has eight hundred, and 1 Chronicles 11:11 has three hundred. The text does not explain the two numbers.
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9After 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.
In plain English: After him was Eleazar the son of Dodai, the son of an Ahohite. He was one of the three mighty men with David when they taunted (this Bible: defied) the Philistines who had gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had gone away (literally: gone up).
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10He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and Yahweh worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take plunder.
In plain English: He got up and struck down the Philistines until his hand was tired and stuck to the sword. Yahweh brought about a great victory that day. The people came back after him only to take the plunder (literally: to strip the dead).
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11After 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.
In plain English: After him was Shammah the son of Agee, a Hararite. The Philistines had gathered into a troop (or: at Lehi), where there was a field full of lentils, and the people ran away from the Philistines.
The Hebrew word: "Into a troop" is from chay, which the dictionary gives as "alive" and "life (or living thing)". In verse 13 this Bible gives the same word as "the troop". The STEPBible meaning for this verse gives "to Lehi", the name of a place, as in .
Good to know: In to a battle in "a plot of ground full of barley" is told of Eleazar, and Shammah is not named there. Here the field is "full of lentils".
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12But he stood in the middle of the plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh worked a great victory.
In plain English: But he took his stand in the middle of the field and defended it, and he struck down the Philistines. Yahweh brought about a great victory.
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13Three 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.
In plain English: Three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David at harvest time, to the cave of Adullam. A troop of the Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim.
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14David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
In plain English: David was in the stronghold then, and a Philistine garrison was in Bethlehem then.
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15David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
In plain English: David longed for water and said, "If only someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, by the gate!"
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16The 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 Yahweh.
In plain English: The three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem by the gate. They carried it and brought it to David. But he would not drink it. He poured it out to Yahweh.
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17He said, “Be it far from me, Yahweh, 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.
In plain English: He said, "Yahweh, far be it from me to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives (literally: with their lives)?" So he would not drink it. These are the things the three mighty men did.
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18Abishai, 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.
In plain English: Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He raised his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and he had a name among the three.
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19Wasn’t he most honorable of the three? Therefore he was made their captain. However he wasn’t included as one of the three.
In plain English: Was he not the most honored of the three? So he became their commander (this Bible: captain). But he did not reach the rank of the three.
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20Benaiah 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.
In plain English: Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man (this Bible: valiant man) from Kabzeel, who had done great deeds. He killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab (or: the two lion-like heroes of Moab). He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion there.
The Hebrew word: "The two sons of Ariel" is word for word "the two ariel of Moab". The dictionary gives ariel as "lion of God; i.e. heroic". The words "sons of" are not in the Hebrew. has the same words as this Bible, "the two sons of Ariel of Moab".
What changes: Read the way this Bible has it, Benaiah killed two sons of a man called Ariel. Read with the dictionary, he killed two of Moab's heroes, men like lions.
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21He 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.
In plain English: He killed an Egyptian, an impressive man (this Bible: a huge Egyptian). The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a club (this Bible: staff), pulled the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.
The Hebrew words: "A huge Egyptian" is word for word "an Egyptian man, a man of appearance". The word is mareh, which the dictionary gives as "a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen)", "especially if handsome". has "a man of great stature, five cubits high".
What changes: Read as this Bible has it, the Egyptian was very big. Read word for word, he was a fine-looking or striking man. Either way, Benaiah went down to him with a club (this Bible: staff).
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22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.
In plain English: Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and he had a name among the three mighty men.
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23He was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three. David set him over his guard.
In plain English: He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not reach the rank of the three. David put him in charge of his guard.
Good to know: "His guard" is mishmaat, the word explained in the note on , where this Bible says "captain of your body guard".
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24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty: Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
In plain English: Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty. Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
Good to know: Asahel is named first among the thirty. His death, at the hand of Abner, is told in . The text does not say when the list was made.
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25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
In plain English: Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
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26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
In plain English: Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
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27Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
In plain English: Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
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28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
In plain English: Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
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29Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
In plain English: Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the people of Benjamin,
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30Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.
In plain English: Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the streams (this Bible: brooks) of Gaash,
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31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
In plain English: Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
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32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
In plain English: Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
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33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,
In plain English: Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,
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34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
In plain English: Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Good to know: Bathsheba is called "the daughter of Eliam" in , and Ahithophel the Gilonite was David's counselor who joined Absalom (). The text does not say whether this Eliam is the same man.
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35Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
In plain English: Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
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36Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
In plain English: Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
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37Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
In plain English: Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers for Joab the son of Zeruiah,
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38Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
In plain English: Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
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39and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
In plain English: and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
Good to know: "Thirty-seven in all" is the text's own total. The text does not say how the thirty-seven are counted. Uriah the Hittite is Bathsheba's husband (), and the list ends with his name.
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