2 Samuel 23

The last words of David, wherein he testifieth of his Calling by God, to the Kingly and Prophetical Office, vers.1, 2. He prophesieth of the Messiah Jesus Christ, and the happiness under his Government, with the acknowledgement of the faults of his house, and a confession of his confidence in Gods everlasting Covenannt of Grace, 3, etc. Lastly, denounceth everlasting destruction to the Wicked, 6. A relation of David’s Worthies, and their valour, 18.

1. Moreover, these be the last words of David: [Before his death: according to the example of Jacob, Gen.49. and Moseh, Deut.32. and 33.] David, the son of Isai, saith; and the man that was raised up on high, anointed of the God of Jacob, [Lifted up out of low condition and anointed King over Gods people] and pleasant (in) Psalms [which by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost he endited for the church of God] of Israel, saith;

2. The Spirit of the LORD hath spoken by me, and his speech hath been upon my tongue.

3. The God of Israel hath said, the Rock [As above chap.22.2. Compare 1 Cor.10.4.] of Israel hath spoken unto me: [oth. of me, meaning that David here relateth the Prophecies, which God had related concerning his person, Kingdom and house, partly to David himself, partly to the prophets, Samuel, Nathan, etc.] (there shall be) a Ruler over men, a righteous ( person), [see Isa.53.11. Jer.23.5, 6. and 33. 15, 16. Zach.9.9. with the annotate.] a ruler (in the) fear of God. [compare Isa.11.2, 3. Understand by this ruler our everlasting spiritual King and Lord Jesus Christ. Whose type David (as also Solomon) was, and of whom God had revealed to him, that he should proceed from his feed, according to the flesh. See Psal, 2.8. and 72.8. Jerem.30.21. Mich.5.1. Others take it as a description of the vertues and duties of Rulers or Governours, applying thereunto also the following resemblance, ver.4. as whereby is signified the graciousness and usefulness of such Rulers, as David and Solomon were, through desective in many things.]

4. And he shall be as the light of the morning, (when) the sun riseth: of the morning without clouds (when) by the clear shining after the rain, the (tender) grassplants (spring) out of the Earth. [i.e. the coming of the Messiah, and the executing of his soul-saving office, will be so pleasant, acceptable, profitable and fruitful for his church, as the things specified in this resemblance, are for the earth and her increase. Compare herewith Hos.6.3. Psa, 110.3. Item Mal.4.2. Isa.60.1, 2. Luke 1:68. and also Isa.44.3, 4, etc and 55.10, 11, etc.]

5. Although my house is not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, [In these words, and the rest of the verse, David confesseth his own sins and unworthiness, and also the sins and unworthiness of his house. Compare 2 Sam. 7.18, 19, etc. and see 2 Sam. Chapters 11.12, 13, 15, etc. and extolleth on the contrary Gods undeserved bounty shewed to him in the everlasting and changeable covenant of grace, being founded on the Messiah, whose day David (as also Abraham) having seen by faith, thereupon comfortably and Joyfully fell asleep in the LORD. Compare 2 Sam.22.51. and Psa.72.20. with the annotate.] which is well ordered and kept in all things: [i.e. which in Gods everlasting counsel is determined and fore-ordained, to his own glory and the salvation of his people, with all means thereunto belonging, and shall be so firmly kept and preserved to the final fulfilling thereof, that the very gates of hell shall not be able to prevail against it. Compare Mat.16.18. and Acts 13:23, 32, 33, etc. Eph.1.3, 4, etc. 1 Pet.1, 5, 10, 11, etc.] surely all my salvation is (in it), and all (my) desire, although he make it not (yet) to spring forth. [although the promised sprout or spring of Isai and David, the mediatour of the covenant, the Messiah be not yet come. Compare Isa.4 2. and 11.1 Jer.23.5. and 33.15. Zach.3.8. and 6.12. Some conceive that David in th fourth and fifth verses opposeth one against another, the transitoriness of things related vers.4. and the everlastingness of his Kingdom and House in the Messiah, that should sprout forth from his seed: and translate these two verses thus: 4 and as a light of the morning, (when) the Sun riseth; in the morning (it) being without clouds, by the brightness, by the rain, the grass-shoots (spring) out of the Earth: 5 That ny house will not be so with God: for he hath made me an overlasting covenant, in all things well prepared and kept: surely all my salvation and delight is, that he will not cause it to spring forth, (as which is now already sprouted forth, and shall never perish.)]

6. But the (men) of Belial, [i.e. reprobate, wicked wretches, despisers and enemies of the Kingdom of Christ. See of this word Deut.23.on v.13.] they shall be all as thornes that are cast away; because they cannot be taken hold of with the hand:

7. But every man that shall touch them, furnisheth himself with iron and the wood of a spear; [Heb. is filled, etc. that is, he filleth his hand, he furnishethhimself first with some instrument, whereby he may handle the thornes without hurting himself] and they shall be utterly burnt [Heb. burning be burnt] with fire in the same place. [where they grow, or were cast, where they lie. Heb. properly in the sitting place, or place of abode: or seat.]

8. These are the names of the champions, [Thus are David’s chiefest Officers and Commanders here called, in respect of their special valour, stoutness, undauntedness in the wars. The order appointed by David among them according to their valour and deservings, is very remarkable. See 1 Chron.11.11.] whom David had: Joscheb Baschebeth [1 Chron.11.11. he is called Jascobham] (the son of Tachkimoni [the word son is here inserted out of Chron.11.as also chachmoni is there put for Tachkimoni] the chiefest [Heb. the head] of the commanders. This was Adino the Eznite, (who set himself) against eight hundred, [oth. (who had the upper hand) over, or against, etc.] which were slain (by him) at one time. [compare 1.Chron.11.11. Some conceive that of these eight hundred there died but three hundred upon the place, because this number is only mentioned in the book of Chronicles. Others hold it to be two several victories.]

9. And after him was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, the son of Ahohi: [1 Chron.11.12. the Ahohite] (this (man) was) among the three champions with David, when they mocked the philistines [or spited, defied them by daring, challenging them, &c. Oth. when they ventured themselves, or despised, or contemned (their souls) against the Philistines, i.e. when they ventured, or hazarded their lives or persons. See Judg.5.18. where that phrase is found so full and entire] (that) were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away.

10. This (man) arose, and smote among the Philistines, until his hand grew weary, yea his hand clave to the sword; And the LORD wrought a great salvation [Or a great victory, so v.12. and above chap.22.on v.51. see there] that day; and the people returned after him, only to plunder. [i.e. the people that readily run away, turned back again, and followed him, not to sight, (for he had fought and gotten the victory himself alone) but to rob and plunder.]

11. After him was Sammer, the son of age the Hararite: when the Philistine were gathered together in a village, [Oth. in an heap, or troop, as below v.13.or for forage,provision, to fetch in provision] and there was a piece of ground full of lentils, [as also barley, 1 Chron.11.13. which it may be the Philistines would carry away, or set on fire] and the people fled before the face of the Philistines.

12. Then he put himself into the midst of the piece, and delivered that, [Or. kept that in] and smote the Philistine; And the LORD wrought a great salvation.

13. Also three of the thirty heads, [Or, (these) three the chiefest above the thirty] went down and came to David in the harvest-(time), into the cave of Adullam: [see 1 Sam.22.1.] And the Philistines heap [for this is put camp, 1 Chron.11.15. Of the Hebrew word see Psa.68.on v.11.] had camped themselves in the valley of Rephaim. [or, of the Giants. See above chap.5.on v.18.]

14. And David was then in a strong hold; [See 1 Sam.22.4, 5. Some understand here the foot or tower of Zion, from whence David (having taken it formerly) marched forth to Adullah against the Philistines] And the Garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem.

15. And David, longed, and said; who will give me to drink water out of the well of Bethlehem, which is in the gate? [i.e. Oh. That any man, etc. a manner of wishing in use among the Hebrews, as elsewhere often.]

16. Then those three champions brake thorough the camp of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, which is in the gate, and carried it, and came unto David: but he would not drink the same, but poured it out before the LORD;

17. And said, be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this (I drink) [This is here inserted out of 1 Chron.11.19.] the blood of the men, that went in jeopardy of their lives? [Heb. with, or on their souls. Oth. thus: (Is it not) the blood of the men, that went in jeopardy of their lives] And he would not drink it: This did those three Champions.

18. And Abisai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruja, he was also an head of three: [viz. Commanders] and he list up [or tossed, wielded, shook, threw, cast, etc.] his spear against three hundred, who were slain (by him) and he had a name among those three. [whose head he was, but not of the three first that are named verse 8.9.]

19. Was he not the most honourable of those three? Therefore he was their Chieftain: but he attained not to the (first) three.

20. Moreover, Benaja, the son of Jojada, the son of a valiant man, great in deeds, of Kabzeel: [Heb. Kabseel. A city lying in the South-end of Juda, Jos.15.21.] he slew two strong lions [Heb. Ariel, i.e. lion of God Some understand by this word properly lions; some men like lions. Others two strong places, called Ariel, which he took, and smote the Garrison thereof] of Moab: he went down also, and smote a lion in the midst of a pit in snow time. [when the wild beasts are most hungry and cruel.]

21. Besides, he smote an Egyptian man, a man of regard [In respect of great stature, and otherwise eminent. See 1. Chron.11.23.] and in the Egyptians hand was a spear, [see 1 Chron.11.23.] but he went down to him with a staff; and he plucked the spear out of the Egyptians hand; and killed him with his (own) spear.

22. Those things did Benaja, the son of Jojada: therefore he had a name among the three Champions.

23. He was the most honourable of the thirty, but he attained not to those (first) three, over his hearkening, or obedience; that is, over the men of his obedience. Understand the guard that were to be continually with and about him, to hear and obey his commands. Some understand here the Kings guard, called the Crethi and the Plethi. See above chap.8.18. and 20.23. Compare 1 Sam.22.14.]

24. Asahel, the brother of Joab, was among the thirty: Elhanan, the son of Dodo, of Bethlehem.

25. Samma the Harodite, [See Judg.7.on v.1.] Elike the Harodite.

26. Halez, the Paltite. Ira, the son of Ikes; the Thekoite. [See above chap.14.on v.2.]

27. Abiezer, the Anethothite [See Jos.21.18. 1 Kin.2.26. Jer.1.1. and 11.21.] Mebunai, the Husathite.

28. Zolmon, the Ahohite. Maharai, the Netophathite.

29. Heleb, the son of Baena, the Netophathite: Ithai, the son of Ribai, of Gibea [See Judg.19. & 20.] of the children of Benjamin.

30. Benaja, the Pirhathonite. [See Judg.12.on v.13.] Hiddai, of the brooks [or, dales, valleys] of Gaas, [A mountain lying in Ephraim, where Josua was buried, Judg.2.9. and one or more brooks sprung, which ran into the midland sea, as the Maps shew.]

31. Abi-Albon, the Arbathite, Azmaveth, the Barhamite.

32. El Jachba, the Saalbonite; of the sons of Jasen, Jonathan.

33. Summa, the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sarar, the Harorite.

34. Eliphelet, the son of Ahasbai, the son of a Maachathite: Eliam, the son of Achitophel, the Gilonite. [See above chap.15.12.]

35. Hezezrai, the Carmelite. Paari, the Arbite.

36. Jigal, the son of Nathan, of Zoba. Bani, the Gadite.

37. Zelek the Ammonite: Naharai the Beerothite, [See above chap.4.2.] the armour bearer of Joab, the son Zeruja.

38. Ira, the Jethrite. Gareb the Jethrite.

39. Uria the Hethite, seven and thirty in all. [Joab who was Captain General, and the next man to the King, being likewise comprehended in this number (according to the common opinion of Expositors) although it hath not pleased the Holy Ghost to set down his name among them. 1 Chron.11. a great number is mentioned then here, because it may be some are placed in the room of the deceased, or also otherwise added.]