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2 Samuel 23

David's Last Words

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:

2“The LORD’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.

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,

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.’

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?

6But all the ungodly will be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can’t be taken with the hand.

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.”

David's Mighty Men

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.

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.

10He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and the LORD worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take plunder.

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.

12But he stood in the middle of the plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD worked a great victory.

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.

14David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

15David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”

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 the LORD.

17He said, “Be it far from me, LORD, 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.

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.

19Wasn’t he most honorable of the three? Therefore he was made their captain. However he wasn’t included as one of the three.

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.

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.

22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.

23He was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three. David set him over his guard.

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

25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,

26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

27Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,

28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

29Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,

30Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.

31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,

33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,

34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

35Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,

36Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,

37Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,

38Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

39and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

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This chapter presents David's final prophetic words about righteous kingship and God's everlasting covenant, followed by a catalog of his greatest warriors and their legendary exploits. David's last words emphasize that godly rulers bring blessing like morning light, while the ungodly face judgment. The accounts of his mighty men showcase extraordinary acts of courage and loyalty, including the famous story of three warriors who risked their lives to bring David water from Bethlehem, which he poured out as an offering to the Lord.

Context

This chapter serves as a capstone to David's reign before the succession narrative concludes, highlighting both his prophetic legacy and the loyal warriors who enabled his victories.

Key Themes

Outline

  • 1-7
    David's Last WordsDavid's final prophetic oracle about righteous kingship, God's covenant, and the fate of the ungodly
  • 8-12
    The Three Greatest WarriorsAccounts of David's top three mighty men and their individual heroic exploits against the Philistines
  • 13-17
    The Water from BethlehemThree warriors risk their lives to bring David water, which he pours out as an offering to God
  • 18-23
    Other Notable WarriorsAdditional mighty men including Abishai and Benaiah with their remarkable deeds
  • 24-39
    The Thirty Mighty MenA comprehensive list of David's elite warriors, totaling thirty-seven men

David's Last Words

23:1–23:7
poetryspeechsolemn

David's final prophetic words about righteous leadership and God's everlasting covenant with his house. He contrasts the blessing of godly rulers with the judgment awaiting the wicked.

person_contrast

David uniquely claims direct prophetic inspiration ("The LORD's Spirit spoke by me") in this passage, marking his only explicit assertion of receiving divine revelation as a prophet rather than merely as king.

David's Mighty Men

23:8–23:39
narrativenarrationtriumphant

A catalog of David's mighty warriors and their heroic deeds in battle against the Philistines. The passage highlights their extraordinary courage and loyalty, including the famous account of three warriors who risked their lives to bring David water from Bethlehem.

person_contrast

David's pouring out of the Bethlehem water as a drink offering transforms military valor into worship, uniquely blending battlefield heroism with sacrificial devotion.

2 Samuel 23:4

Habakkuk 3:11lexical

The sun and moon stood still in the sky at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shining of your glittering spea…

Isaiah 60:19lexical

The sun will be no more your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but the LORD will be y…

2 Kings 3:22lexical

They rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red a…

Judges 9:33lexical

It shall be that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early and rush on the city. Behold, when he an…

Ecclesiastes 12:2lexical

Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;

2 Samuel 23:5

Leviticus 24:8lexical

Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before the LORD continually. It is an everlasting covenant on the behalf of t…

2 Samuel 23:7

Joshua 6:24lexical

They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it. Only they put the silver, the gold, and the vessels of bronze an…

Leviticus 7:19lexical

“‘The meat that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten. It shall be burned with fire. As for the meat, everyone wh…

2 Samuel 23:8

1 Chronicles 11:11lexical

This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lif…

2 Samuel 23:9

1 Chronicles 11:12lexical

After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.

2 Samuel 23:11

1 Chronicles 11:13lexical

He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where there was a plot of gr…

2 Samuel 23:12

1 Chronicles 11:14lexical

They stood in the middle of the plot, defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great victor…

2 Samuel 23:13

1 Chronicles 11:15lexical

Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines…

Isaiah 17:5lexical

It will be like when the harvester gathers the wheat, and his arm reaps the grain. Yes, it will be like when one gleans…

1 Samuel 22:1lexical

David therefore departed from there and escaped to Adullam’s cave. When his brothers and all his father’s house heard it…

1 Chronicles 14:9lexical

Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 5:18lexical

Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 23:14

1 Chronicles 11:16lexical

David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem at that time.

2 Samuel 23:15

1 Chronicles 11:17lexical

David longed, and said, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!…

2 Samuel 23:16

1 Chronicles 11:18lexical

The three broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, t…

1 Chronicles 11:19lexical

and said, “My God forbid me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeo…

2 Samuel 23:17

1 Chronicles 11:19lexical

and said, “My God forbid me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeo…

1 Chronicles 11:18lexical

The three broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, t…

Ezekiel 39:18lexical

You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats,…

2 Samuel 23:18

1 Chronicles 11:20lexical

Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them,…

1 Chronicles 2:16lexical

and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.

2 Samuel 2:18lexical

The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.

1 Chronicles 11:11lexical

This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lif…

2 Samuel 18:2lexical

David sent the people out, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Ze…

2 Samuel 23:20

1 Chronicles 11:22lexical

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Arie…

1 Kings 1:38lexical

So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down a…

Ezekiel 31:14lexical

to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, and don’t set their top among the…

Ezekiel 32:25lexical

They have made Elam a bed among the slain with all her multitude. Her graves are around her, all of them uncircumcised,…

2 Samuel 23:21

1 Chronicles 11:23lexical

He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high. In the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam…

2 Samuel 23:22

1 Chronicles 11:24lexical

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things and had a name among the three mighty men.

1 Kings 1:26lexical

But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

1 Kings 1:8lexical

But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to D…

2 Samuel 23:23

1 Chronicles 11:25lexical

Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three; and David set him over his guard.

2 Samuel 23:24

1 Chronicles 11:26lexical

The mighty men of the armies also include Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

2 Samuel 2:32lexical

They took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, a…

2 Samuel 23:26

1 Chronicles 11:28lexical

Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

1 Chronicles 27:9lexical

The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

2 Samuel 23:27

1 Chronicles 11:28lexical

Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

1 Chronicles 27:12lexical

The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites. In his division were twenty-four t…

2 Samuel 23:28

1 Chronicles 27:13lexical

The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four t…

1 Chronicles 11:30lexical

Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,

2 Samuel 23:29

1 Chronicles 11:31lexical

Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

1 Chronicles 11:30lexical

Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,

2 Samuel 23:30

1 Chronicles 27:14lexical

The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim. In his division wer…

1 Chronicles 11:31lexical

Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

2 Samuel 23:32

1 Chronicles 11:33lexical

Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

2 Samuel 23:33

1 Chronicles 11:35lexical

Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,

2 Samuel 23:34

2 Samuel 15:12lexical

Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the s…

2 Samuel 23:37

1 Chronicles 11:39lexical

Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah),

2 Samuel 23:38

1 Chronicles 11:40lexical

Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

Interlinear

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Historical Context

Places and events in this chapter

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