24 Asahel the brother of Joab was among the thirty ; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem , 25 Shammah the Harodite , Elika the Harodite , 26 Helez the Paltite , Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite , 27 Abiezer the Anathothite , Mebunnai the Hushathite , 28 Zalmon the Ahohite , Maharai the Netophathite , 29 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite , Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin , 30 Benaiah a Pirathonite , Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash , 31 Abi-albon the Arbathite , Azmaveth the Barhumite , 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite , the sons of Jashen , Jonathan , 33 Shammah the Hararite , Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite , 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai , the son of the Maacathite , Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite , 35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite , 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah , Bani the Gadite 37 Zelek the Ammonite , Naharai the Beerothite , armor bearers of Joab the son of Zeruiah , 38 Ira the Ithrite , Gareb the Ithrite 39 Uriah the Hittite ; thirty-seven e in all .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:24-39
Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:8-39
(Read 2 Samuel 23:8-39)
David once earnestly longed for the water at the well of Bethlehem. It seems to be an instance of weakness. He was thirsty; with the water of that well he had often refreshed himself when a youth, and it was without due thought that he desired it. Were his valiant men so forward to expose themselves, upon the least hint of their prince's mind, and so eager to please him, and shall not we long to approve ourselves to our Lord Jesus, by ready compliance with his will, as shown us by his word, Spirit, and providence? But David poured out the water as a drink-offering to the Lord. Thus he would cross his own foolish fancy, and punish himself for indulging it, and show that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones, and knew how to deny himself. Did David look upon that water as very precious which was got at the hazard of these men's blood, and shall not we much more value those benefits for purchasing which our blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let all beware of neglecting so great salvation.