David's Mighty Men

8 These 'are' the names of the mighty ones whom David hath: sitting in the seat 'is' the Tachmonite, head of the captains—he 'is' Adino, who hardened himself against eight hundred—wounded at one time. 9 And after him 'is' Eleazar son of Dodo, son of Ahohi, of the three mighty men with David; in their exposing themselves among the Philistines—they have been gathered there to battle, and the men of Israel go up— 10 he hath arisen, and smiteth among the Philistines till that his hand hath been weary, and his hand cleaveth unto the sword, and Jehovah worketh a great salvation on that day, and the people turn back after him only to strip off. 11 And after him 'is' Shammah son of Agee the Hararite, and the Philistines are gathered into a company, and there is there a portion of the field full of lentiles, and the people hath fled from the presence of the Philistines, 12 and he stationeth himself in the midst of the portion, and delivereth it, and smiteth the Philistines, and Jehovah worketh a great salvation. 13 And three of the thirty heads go down and come unto the harvest, unto David, unto the cave of Adullam, and the company of the Philistines are encamping in the valley of Rephaim, 14 and David 'is' then in a fortress, and the station of the Philistines 'is' then in Beth-Lehem, 15 and David longeth and saith, 'Who doth give me a drink of the water of the well of Beth-Lehem, which 'is' by the gate?' 16 And the three mighty ones cleave through the camp of the Philistines, and draw water out of the well of Beth-Lehem, which 'is' by the gate, and take 'it' up, and bring in unto David; and he was not willing to drink it, and poureth it out to Jehovah, 17 and saith, 'Far be it from me, O Jehovah, to do this; is it the blood of the men who are going with their lives?' and he was not willing to drink it; these 'things' did the three mighty ones. 18 And Abishai brother of Joab, son of Zeruiah, he 'is' head of three, and he is lifting up his spear against three hundred—wounded, and he hath a name among three. 19 Of the three is he not the honoured? and he becometh their head; and unto the 'first' three he hath not come. 20 And Benaiah son of Jehoiada (son of a man of valour, great in deeds from Kabzeel), he hath smitten two lion-like men of Moab, and he hath gone down and smitten the lion in the midst of the pit in a day of snow. 21 And he hath smitten the Egyptian man, a man of appearance, and in the hand of the Egyptian 'is' a spear, and he goeth down unto him with a rod, and taketh violently away the spear out of the hand of the Egyptian, and slayeth him with his own spear. 22 These 'things' hath Benaiah son of Jehoiada done, and hath a name among three mighty. 23 Of the thirty he is honoured, and unto the three he came not; and David setteth him over his guard. 24 Asahel brother of Joab 'is' of the thirty; Elhanan son of Dodo of Beth-Lehem. 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Annethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heleb son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 'of' the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai, son of the Maachathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, bearer of the weapons of Joab son of Zeruiah, 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 Uriah the Hittite; in all thirty and seven.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:8-39

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.