Chapter Twenty-Three

“The Last Words” of David. A List of the Glorious Heroes of David’s Military Company.

2 Samuel 23:1. These are the last words of David, the utterance of David the son of Jesse, the utterance of the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: See the note to (2 Sam 22:1).

2 Samuel 23:3. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. “The Rock of Israel”—the firm support of Israel. “He who rules over men must be (ought to be) just.”

2 Samuel 23:26. Herez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, “From Tekoa”—from the city of Tekoa, located south of Bethlehem.

2 Samuel 23:27. Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, “From Anathoth”—from the city of Anathoth, located to the northeast of Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 23:29. Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, “Gibeah of Benjamin”—to the north of Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 23:30. Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the Wadi of Gaash, “From Pirathon”—from the city of Pirathon, located to the southwest of Shechem.

2 Samuel 23:35. Hehez the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, “Carmelite.” Under the name “Carmel” in the Bible are understood: a) a mountain to the southwest of the Sea of Galilee; b) a mountain and city to the west of the Dead Sea.

2 Samuel 23:36. Igal the son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani the Gadite, “From Zobah.” Zobah or Suva is a region in Syria. “Gadite,” that is, from the tribe of Gad.

2 Samuel 23:37. Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, “Ammonite.” The land of the Ammonites lay to the northeast of the Dead Sea.

2 Samuel 23:39. Uriah the Hittite. In all, thirty-seven. “Hittite.” The Hittites are a Canaanite people descended from Heth (Gen 10:15), the grandson of Ham (through Canaan). Concerning the other places mentioned in verses 8-39 of this chapter, either nothing is known, or very little is known with certainty.