Introduction

In this chapter, we read David’s last words, which are closely related to Balaam’s last words relating to the future of Israel, Numbers 24:3 / Numbers 24:15. His prophetic words are an extension of Balaam’s prophecy of the Star out of Jacob and the Sceptre out of Israel.

‘These are the last words of David: ‘The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs: ‘The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’ ‘If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire. But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.’ 2 Samuel 23:1-7

DAVID’S LAST WORDS

We are told that these are the last words of David, the inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs, 2 Samuel 23:1.

Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.

‘This character not only belonged to him as the finest poet in Israel, but as the finest and most Divine poet of the whole Christian world. The sweet psalmist of Israel has been the sweet psalmist of every part of the habitable world, where religion and piety have been held in reverence.’

David says, ‘the Spirit of the Lord spoke through him, and His Word was on his tongue,’ 2 Samuel 23:2. In other words, these weren’t David’s own words, the Holy Spirit spoke through him, Isaiah 1:1-2 / Psalm 95:7-10. David recognises that it’s not his own words being said and he credits those words to the Holy Spirit. You will notice that when an Old Testament prophet is quoted in the New Testament, it’s often stated, ‘the Holy Spirit says’, Mark 12:36 / At 1:16 / Acts 28:25 / Hebrews 3:7.

The Spirit says that anyone who was anointed by God to be king must rule with justice and with the fear of God, 2 Samuel 23:3. They are to be like the light in the morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, 2 Samuel 23:4. In other words, they are to determine the morals of the nation. We know that the example set by any country must begin at the top, if the rulers are corrupt, then the people will be corrupt. David as king of Israel was humble enough to recognise that he had fallen short morally of God’s expectations as a king on many occasions.

Despite falling short of God’s expectations, the Holy Spirit reminds Israel of the everlasting covenant God made with them, He will fulfil those promises He made with Israel, 2 Samuel 23:5 / Isaiah 55:3 / Acts 13:34. However, those who constantly rebel against God and His will are promised to be punished, 2 Samuel 23:6-7 / Matthew 25:41.

DAVID’S MIGHTY WARRIORS

‘These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory. During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, ‘Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!’ So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. ‘Far be it from me, LORD, to do this!’ he said. ‘Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?’ And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors. Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. Was he not held in greater honour than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them. Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. He was held in greater honour than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.’ 2 Samuel 23:8-23

This list of David’s mighty warriors is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 11:10-41, although there are some variations between the two. The reason for the variations is possibly because they were written at different times and since language and pronunciation change with time, it appears that the names of this list changed from the time 2 Samuel and the Chronicles were written.

Ellicott, in his commentary, says the following, concerning 2 Samuel 23:8.

‘Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three, 2 Samuel 23:8. The text of this verse has undergone several alterations, which may be corrected by the parallel passage in Chronicles. This clause should read, ‘Jashobeam the Hachmonite,’ as in 1 Chronicles 11:11. Jashobeam came to David at Ziklag, 1 Chronicles 12:1 / 1 Chronicles 12:6, and afterwards became the general of the first division of the army, 1 Chronicles 27:2, being immediately followed by Dodo. One of the same family was tutor to David’s sons, 1 Chronicles 27:32.

The word for ‘captain’ and the word for ‘three’, 2 Samuel 23:8, are much alike, and the text here and in Chronicles perpetually fluctuates between the two. Probably the sense here is that Jashobeam was the chief of the three who stood highest in rank among the heroes.

No mention is made in either list of Joab, because, as commander-in-chief, he stood in a rank by himself. The same was Adino the Ezrite, K.J.V. It is difficult to attach any meaning to these words in their connection, and they are generally considered as a corruption of the words in 1 Chronicles 11:11, ‘he lifted up his spear,’ 2 Samuel 23:8, which are required and are inserted here in the English. 2 Samuel 23:8 mentions that he killed ‘eight hundred men’, but Chronicles says he killed ‘three hundred men,’ as in 2 Samuel 23:18. Variations in numbers are exceedingly common, but the probability is in favour of the correctness of the text here. This large number was slain by Josheb-Basshebeth or Jashobeam as the footnote says, and the men under his command in one combat.’

The following thoughts concerning each of these men have been adapted from Grant’s commentary of this chapter.

Eleazar is seen in the second place of honour, 2 Samuel 23:9-10, a man who did not retreat when the rest of Israel retreated, but boldly carried on the battle with the Philistines alone, and for so long that his hand struck to the sword he was using. By his energy of faith the Lord accomplished a great victory, for the Lord honours the faith of one who will not be intimidated by the enemy even when no one else stands with him. The people afterward returned after him to reap the benefits of his faith.

The third one of the most outstanding three was Shammah, 2 Samuel 23:11-12. The Philistines attacked with the object of either taking for themselves a field of lentils or destroying it. 1 Chronicles 11:13, tells us it was ‘a parcel of ground full of barley’. Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field and killed the attackers, thereby giving the Lord the victory. This illustrates the faithfulness of a believer in fighting to keep the food of the word of God from being stolen from God’s people. May we stand firmly and decidedly against anything that will deprive the saints of God of the food of His word that is so necessary for their sustenance.

Three other men are now spoken of in 2 Samuel 23:13-16 / 1 Chronicles 11:11-47, who show their devotedness to David himself in an unusual way. The garrison of the Philistines had taken possession of Bethlehem while David was in exile in the cave of Adullam. Saul did not have the energy to expel the Philistines from Bethlehem, the house of bread, and David expressed the longing for a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. No doubt there was no thought in his mind of expecting anyone to take this seriously enough as to risk their lives in order to secure a drink of water for him, and he certainly gave no command as to this. Yet these three mighty men, purely out of devotedness to David, were willing to venture their lives in breaking through the army of the Philistines with the object of drawing water from the well of Bethlehem. They did so successfully and brought the water to David.

This is a refreshing picture of the faith that delights to please the Lord in a spirit of willing self-sacrifice. David however appreciated their devotion more than he desired the water. He considered that he was not worthy of so great devotion, and he poured the water out as a drink offering to God, who alone is worthy of such sacrifices, 2 Samuel 23:16-17.

Abishai, the brother of Joab, has a significant place as chief of these three men, 2 Samuel 23:18-19. Sadly, Joab himself is not mentioned as being given any honour at all in this final summation of David’s mighty men. He was a capable warrior who gained many victories, but his one fatal flaw was the fact that his motives were proven to be selfish. It was not God’s honour that he sought, but his own. David knew this, and advised Solomon that Joab must be put to death, 1 Kings 2:5-6. Joab’s treachery could not be ignored because of his many victories.

Benaiah is another one of the second three, a man who showed unusual courage whether in fighting men or beasts, 2 Samuel 23:20-23. He is described as being a giant of a man in 1 Chronicles 11:23. Certainly, the exploits of both of these are typical of spiritual victories, little as we may be able to interpret their significance. We are not told the name of the third man of this group, but we are reminded in 2 Samuel 23:23, that the first three are accorded higher honour than the second three or all that follow them. These are mentioned by name only, and any spiritual lessons to be learned from them can be gleaned only from the meanings of their names.

These mighty warriors, 2 Samuel 23:8, were the very men who were loyal to David as God’s anointed king of Israel. They successfully brought David to the throne and helped him remain his reign as king. History teaches us if any king wants to be successful, they must not only have the support of God but must also have the loyalty of brave people behind them. The truth is, if it wasn’t for these mighty warriors, who trusted in God and God’s anointing of David, Israel wouldn’t have had a king. They were loyal and supported David because David was loyal and supported God. They were loyal and supported God, they understood that because they supported David, they were supporting God.

‘Among the Thirty were: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Sibbekai the Hushathite, Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash, Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, the son of Hagri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armour-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.’ 2 Samuel 23:24-39

Again, we find a similar list of names recorded in 1 Chronicles 11:26-47, but not exactly. It’s highly probable that these men changed through David’s forty-year reign, which would explain the differences in records.

The following thoughts concerning each of these men have been adapted from Coffman’s commentary of this chapter.

Asahel the brother of Joab, 2 Samuel 23:24, was one of the thirty, he was one of the three sons of Zeruiah, David’s sister, who lost his life when he tried to kill Abner, 2 Samuel 2:18-23. Joab avenged Asahel’s death by murdering Abner, 2 Samuel 3:26-30. Elhanan the son of Dodo from Bethlehem, 2 Samuel 23:24, shouldn’t be confused with Eleazer the son of Dodo, 2 Samuel 23:9, he is a different person. Shammah the Harodite, 2 Samuel 23:25, and some commentators suggest that this Shammah is the one mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:11. However, 1 Chronicles 11:10-47, ascribes that deed of bringing David the water from Bethlehem to Eleazer the son of Dodo. It appears that Shammah was a common name as we read in 2 Samuel 23:33.

We are given no information about Elika the Harodite, 2 Samuel 23:25, except that he was one of the thirty mighty warriors of David. Helez the Paltite, 2 Samuel 23:26, was an Ephraimite and commander of twenty-four thousand men, 1 Chronicles 11:27 / 1 Chronicles 27:10. Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, 2 Samuel 23:26, is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 11:28.

Abiezer from Anathoth, 2 Samuel 23:27, was a Benjaminite with twenty-four thousand men under his command, 1 Chronicles 27:12. Sibbekai the Hushathite, 2 Samuel 23:27, is in some translations named Mebunnai, or Sibbekai, 2 Samuel 21:18 / 1 Chronicles 20:4 / 1 Chronicles 11:29 / 1 Chronicles 27:11.

Zalmon the Ahohite, 2 Samuel 23:28, may have been named Zalmon to indicate his strength but he is also called Ilai in 1 Chronicles 11:29. His name means shady or ascent. Maharai the Netophathite, 2 Samuel 23:28, was one of the twelve monthly captains in David’s reign, 1 Chronicles 11:30, he came from the family of Zerah from Netophah in Judah, and was commander of over twenty-four thousand men, 1 Chronicles 27:13.

Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, 2 Samuel 23:29, is called Heled in 1 Chronicles 11:30, and Heldai in 1 Chronicles 27:15. He was also the commander of twenty-four thousand men. Ithai the son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, 2 Samuel 23:29, his name means ploughman or living and he is called Ithai in 1 Chronicles 11:31.

Benaiah the Pirathonite, 2 Samuel 23:30, his name means Jehovah has built or is intelligent. He belonged to the tribe of Ephraim and was commander of twenty-four thousand men, 1 Chronicles 11:31 / 1 Chronicles 27:14. Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash, 2 Samuel 23:30, Gaash was in Ephraim. The name Hiddai means mighty or joyful. Abi-Albon the Arbathite, 2 Samuel 23:31, is one of David’s heroes, he is mentioned in the Chronicles list under the name of Abiel, 1 Chronicles 11:32. His name may mean father of strength and he’s possibly from Beth Arabah, Joshua 15:6 / Joshua 15:61 / Joshua 18:22.

Azmaveth the Barhumite, 2 Samuel 23:31, his name may mean counsel, and his name appears in 1 Chronicles 11:33. Some commentators identify him as the Azmaveth whom David placed over his treasures, 1 Chronicles 27:25. Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 2 Samuel 23:32, is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 11:33, and his name means whom God hides.

The son of Jashen, 2 Samuel 23:32, Jonathan, the name Jonathan was very common in the Old Testament and the name means God gave. In 1 Chronicles 11:34, he is identified as a son of Shagee the Hararite. Shammah the Hararite, 2 Samuel 23:33, in 1 Chronicles 11:27, he named Shammoth and in 1 Chronicles 27:8, he is named Shamhuth, he was also the commander of twenty-four thousand men.

Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, 2 Samuel 23:33, is called the son of Sakar in 1 Chronicles 11:35. Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite, 2 Samuel 23:34, was special to David because he named one of his sons born in Jerusalem Eliphelet, 1 Chronicles 3:8. Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 2 Samuel 23:34, was the father of Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 11:3, who stood in relation to David as a father-in-law. He is called Amiel in other passages, which is a variation of Eliam, 1 Chronicles 3:5. His name means, my God is a kinsman. The presence of Bathsheba’s father in the list of David’s thirty heroes adds further to David’s shame in violating her. Her grandfather Ahithophel, was David’s main counsellor, her father and her husband, Uriah were both among his thirty mighty men.

Hezro the Carmelite, 2 Samuel 23:35, is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 11:37, and his name means enclosed or beautiful. Paarai the Arbite, his name means a devotee of Peor, he is also called Naarai in 1 Chronicles 11:37. Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, 2 Samuel 23:36, his name means God redeems and as Zobah was a part of Syria it’s highly possible that he was one of the foreigners who supported David.

The N.I.V has the name ‘the son of Hagri’, 2 Samuel 23:36, whereas the K.J.V. uses the name ‘Bani the Gadite’. This name isn’t mentioned anywhere in 1 Chronicles 11. We do know that Bani was of the tribe of Gad. Zelek the Ammonite was another foreigner on David’s list of mighty warriors.

Naharai the Beerothite, the armour-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, 2 Samuel 23:37, Beeroth was one of the four cities of the Hivites who deluded Joshua into a treaty of peace with them, Joshua 9:17. He was Joab’s armour-bearer, although Joab isn’t mentioned as a mighty warrior in his own right, he is the only man who is mentioned three times throughout this list, 2 Samuel 23:18 / 2 Samuel 23:24 / 2 Samuel 23:37, which tells us he was a mighty warrior for David.

Ira the Ithrite, and Gareb the Ithrite, 2 Samuel 23:38, Ithrites was the name given to one of the families descended from Kiriath-Jearim, 1 Chronicles 2:53. Two members of David’s mighty warriors, and bodyguard, Ira and Gareb, came from this family, 2 Samuel 23:38 / 1 Chronicles 11:40, and may have originated from the town of Jattir, 1 Samuel 30:27. Uriah the Hittite, 2 Samuel 23:39, was the Hittite husband of Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 11:2-3, whom David ordered to be murdered by the hand of Joab, 2 Samuel 11:15, in a vain effort to hide David’s adultery with Uriah’s wife, 2 Samuel 11:4-5.

These thirty-seven men, 2 Samuel 23:39, were courageous and mighty warriors of David who help bring David to the throne and helped him reign as king of Israel. It’s clear that when we combine all these men, they would have put fear in the hearts of anyone who choose to rebel against David and or challenge his throne. With mighty warriors like this behind David, it would certainly help David maintain peace throughout the land.

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