Explanation: 2 Samuel 23 contains the last words of David plus a listing of thirty-seven notable warriors in his realm with highlights of some of their accomplishments. As for David's last words, these are not necessarily the last words he said moments before he died. Rather they are the last formal message to his contemporaries and his successors. Possibly, since they deal with the contrast and conflict between the righteous and the wicked, they were spoken just before or just after David's thematically similar words of caution and instruction to Solomon regarding unsettled matters with evildoers (1 Kings 2:1-11). Although the chronology of the statement may place it in 1 Kings 2, it also has a place (from a literary standpoint) in 2 Samuel 23. The previous chapter was a song of praise that the LORD delivered David from the wickedness of his enemies. And the opening words of today's chapter, as mentioned above, also speak of the contrast between the righteous and the wicked.
     The chapter opens with an introduction of David. The writer of 2 Samuel calls him "the son of Jesse ... the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel" (1).
     David said that the LORD told him that one who rules over men "must be just, ruling in the fear of God." One who does so will be a bringer of cheer and blessing. And, although David's house was not such a house, God nevertheless made an everlasting covenant with him. But the sons of Belial will be cast away and burned with fire (2-7).
     This statement is followed by a list of David's thirty-seven mightiest men, with special mention of the exploits of several. The exploits mentioned demonstrate the accomplishments of the LORD in and through various individuals. These accomplishments foreshadow the accomplishments of the Lord in and through the men and women who arose to serve the church and to amplify the ministry of the apostles after Pentecost. In both cases, the accomplishments came at a time of great challenge to the people of God, but the challenges were overcome, and God's Kingdom expanded and prospered greatly. And in both cases, the LORD provided people who were specially gifted with abilities and experience which advanced the Kingdom of God.
     The first of David's heroic associates was "the Tachmonite," also called Joshebbasshebeth, a Tahchemonite, or Jashobeam, a Hachmonite [compare 1 Chronicles 11:11; 1 Chronicles 12:6]. He killed 800 men at one time -- a feat similar to Samson's slaughter of 1,000 Philistines (Judges 15:15-16) in the time of the Judges (8).
     Eleazar killed Philistines until his hand clung to his sword (a symptom of severe tendonitis); and the people came and took the spoil (9-10).
     Likewise, Shammah singlehandedly defended a parcel of ground against a Philistine onslaught (11-12).
     Once, when David and his men were encamped against the Philistines who were in control of his birth-town, Bethlehem, David wished for a drink from the well of Bethlehem. In response, his three mightiest warriors broke through the host of the Philistines, drew water from the well, and brought it to David. Nevertheless, he would not drink it because he considered it equivalent to the blood of the men who risked their lives to bring it to him. Instead, he poured it out to the LORD (13-17).
     Abishai was just below the three mightiest men; and he killed three hundred at one time (18-19).
     Benaiah did several exploits. He killed two lionlike men of Moab. He killed a lion in a pit. He killed a powerful Egyptian with his own spear (20-23).
     The chapter concludes by listing the rest of the thirty-seven mightiest warriors; but no further exploits are mentioned (24-39).
     [ Sermons: Phil Newton. Maurice Roberts. Various. ]
     [ Illustration: Bethlehem, pictured above, is the location of one of the most interesting of the events described in the chapter. While Bethlehem was held by Philistines, David expressed a desire to drink the water of the well of Bethlehem. His three mightiest men retrieved water from the Well. But David poured it out as an offering to the LORD since the men had risked their lives to get it. ]

     ²⁴ Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, ²⁵ Shammah the Harodite, Eznite the Harodite, ²⁶ Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, ²⁷ Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, ²⁸ Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, ²⁹ Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, ³⁰ Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, ³¹ Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, ³² Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, ³³ Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, ³⁴ Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, ³⁵ Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, ³⁶ Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, ³⁷ Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer [gear carrier] to Joab the son of Zeruiah, ³⁸ Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, ³⁹ Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

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