2 Sam. 23 David’s last words: a character of himself; of a good ruler, and his usefulness, 2 Sam. 23:1. His faith on God’s covenant with him, 2 Sam. 23:5. Destruction to the wicked, 2 Sam. 23:6–7. David’s worthies and their valiant acts, 2 Sam. 23:8–39.

The last words of David; not simply the last that he spoke, but some of the last uttered in his last days upon the approach of his death; or the last which he spoke by the Spirit of God, assisting and directing him in an extraordinary manner.

The following words, and consequently the other words and Psalms composed and uttered by me upon the like solemn occasions, are not to be looked upon as my private fancies or human inventions, but both the matter and the words of them are suggested and governed by God’s Spirit, which is the great…

The Rock of Israel; he who is the strength, and defence, and protector of his people; which he here manifests by obliging and directing kings and rulers so to manage their power and authority. as may most conduce to their comfort and benefit.

These words are either, 1. A further description of the king’s duty, which is not only to rule with exact justice and piety, but also with sweetness, and gentleness, and condescension to the infirmities of his people; to render his government as pleasant and acceptable to them as is the sunshine in…

Although my house be not so with God; although God knows that neither I nor my children have lived and ruled as we should have done, so justly, and in the fear of the Lord; and therefore have not enjoyed that uninterrupted prosperity which we might have enjoyed; but our morning light, or the…

The sons of Belial, or, the men of Belial, as it is expressed 2 Sam. 16:7, and elsewhere. Having in the foregoing verses described the nature, and felicity, and stability of that kingdom which God himself had by a sure and everlasting covenant settled upon him and his seed; and especially, upon the…

The staff of a spear; so the meaning is, he must fill his hand, or arm himself with some iron weapon, whereby he may cut them down; or, with the staff of a spear, or some such like thing, whereby he may thrust them away from himself, that they do him no hurt.

Of the mighty men whom David had, i. e. of his chief and most valiant commanders. And as it was noted upon 2 Sam. 21:1, that the things related in that chapter were done before Absalom’s and Sheba’s rebellion, though they be mentioned after them; so that opinion is confirmed by this catalogue,…

The Ahohite; of the children of Ahoah, 1 Chron. 8:4. One of the three, i. e. one of the first three, 2 Sam. 23:19. Mighty men with David; who were with David at this time, or who usually attended upon David.

He arose, i. e. he undertook the work, as that word sometimes is used. Or, he stood (as it sometimes signifies) when the rest fled. His hand clave unto the sword; either through sweat or blood, or by a contraction of the sinews. Or thus, yet did his hand cleave to his sword, i.e.

Full of lentiles, or barley, as it is 1 Chron. 11:13; for both might very well grow in the same field, in divers parts of it. And this fact is ascribed to Eleazar, 1 Chron. 11:12, but so as it is implied that he had some partner or partners in it: for it is there said, 1 Chron.

Defended it; that the Philistines could neither burn, nor tread it down and spoil it or carry it away.

Three of the thirty; either, 1. The three already named, as is generally supposed, because it is said of them, in the close of this history, 1 Chron. 11:19, These things did these three mightiest. But in the Hebrew it is only these three mighty men, as the same words are rendered here, 2 Sam.

Being hot and thirsty, he expresseth how acceptable a draught of that water would be to him, as is usual with men to do in such cases; but was far from desiring or expecting that any of his men should hazard their lives to procure it, as appears from 2 Sam. 23:17.

The host of the Philistines was in the valley of Rephaim, 2 Sam. 23:13, and in the way to Beth-lehem. He would not drink thereof; lest by gratifying himself upon such terms, he should seem either to set too high a price upon the satisfaction of his appetite, or too low a price upon the lives of his…

Is not this the blood of the men, i.e. the price of their blood or lives, which they rashly exposed to manifest hazard? These things did these three mighty men; either one of these three are here omitted, as one of the first three is not named, 1 Chron.

He fought with and killed three hundred men in one battle. Had the name among the three, i.e. was the most famous and eminent among them.

He fell short of them in strength and valour.

Of Kabzeel; a place in Judah, Josh. 15:21. Who had done many acts: this may belong either to Benaiah, or to his father, to note that Benaiah was a son becoming such a father. Two lionlike men, for courage and strength. Or, lions of God, i.e. great and strong lions.

A goodly man; for stature, as it is expressed, 1 Chron. 11:23. With a staff; without a sword, or any warlike weapon.

Heb. over (for el is sometimes put for al) the men (which is oft understood, as hath been noted before) of his command. So his guard is called, because they were always at the king’s hand, ready to hear and receive the king’s commands, and to put them in execution.

One of the thirty; Heb. with or among the thirty; not only as one, but as the chief of them.

In 1 Chron. 11:27, Shammoth the Harorite; concerning which and such-like alterations, and other changes of the names, which will be observed by comparing this catalogue with that, it will be sufficient to suggest, 1.

Here are but thirty-six named; either therefore one must be supplied whose name is not expressed among the three second worthies, or Joab is comprehended in the number, as being the lord-general of all.