12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.
12 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.
12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.
12 , but Shammah took his stand at the center of the field, successfully defended it, and routed the Philistines. Another great victory for God!
12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the Lord brought about a great victory.
12 but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:12
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.