2 Samuel 23:18

2Sa 23:18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, [and] slew [them], and had the name among three.

Ver. 18. Against three hundred.] Josephus saith six hundred; but he is out in this count, as he is oft, seeking the honour of his nation.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Sa 23:18-19. Abishai was chief among three — The chief of those three mighty men before mentioned. See 1Ch 11:20. Had the name among the three — That is, was most eminent and famous. Was he not most honourable? — Worthy to be the leader of them, for his superior valour and virtue? He attained not unto the first three — He fell short of them in strength and valour.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

23:18-23 Here are examples of the prowess of Abishai and Benaiah. Elsewhere, Abishai was intensely combative toward David’s enemies, especially Saul (1 Sam 26:6-9) and Saul’s kinsman Shimei (2 Sam 16:9-11). Abishai had saved David’s life during one of the Philistine wars (21:16-17). • Benaiah appeared first as the commander of the mercenaries who served as David’s bodyguard, independent of the regular army (8:18; 20:23). He was also the leader of a 24,000-man division of the regular army that served the king in the third month of every year (1 Chr 27:5-6). He played a major role in Solomon’s ascension to the throne (1 Kgs 1:32-49) and became the commander of Solomon’s army, as Joab was for David.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Hebrew, slain.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(18) Among three.—The Hebrew margin has “the three,” and so also the text in the following clause. “The three” are the triad of heroes just mentioned, of whom Abishai was first, Benaiah second, with an unnamed third. A somewhat similar feat of daring is told of Abishai in 1Sa_26:6-12.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

18–23. Exploits of Abishai and Benaiah

18. Abishai] David’s valiant but hard-hearted nephew, who shared the command of the army with his brother Joab in the Ammonite war and in Absalom’s rebellion (ch. 2Sa_10:10; 2Sa_10:14, 2Sa_18:2). The characteristic trait of his nature was a blunt impetuous ferocity. See 1Sa_26:8; 2Sa_16:9; 2Sa_19:21.

chief among three] The Qrî reads chief of the three; those namely who were mentioned in 2Sa_23:17. But the Kthîbh has chief of the aides-de-camp, as in 2Sa_23:8.

among three] As before, among the three.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among the three,.... Another triumvirate, of which he was the head:

and he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them; Josephus (e) says six hundred; this seems to confirm the reading of Sa2 23:8, that the number eight hundred is right, for if it was only three hundred, Abishai would have been equal to one, even the first, of the former three; which yet is denied him in Sa2 23:19,

and had the name among three; of which he was one; and he had the chief name among them, or was the most famous of them.

(e) Antiqu. l. 7. c. 12. sect. 4.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Three - “The three” 2Sa 23:22. It was Abishai’s prowess on this occasion that raised him to be chief of this triad.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Three. Septuagint (Alexandrian) and Josephus read "six hundred," (Haydock) against all the rest.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

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.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

18. Chief among three — Rather, a chief among the captains, as the same words are rendered in 2Sa_23:8. All the thirty-seven mentioned in this chapter were chiefs of distinguished rank.

Lifted up his spear against three hundred — His great feat resembled that of Jashobeam, though it was not so celebrated.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Abishai was chief among three. The sense is obscured in the Authorized Version by the translators having failed to notice the presence of the definite article. Abishai, by reason of this exploit, became "chief of the three;" that is, of the second order of three established in the fraternity of the mighties. At the end of the verse, and in ver. 19, the Authorized Version strangely puts the article where it is absent in the Hebrew, and omits it where it is present. The right rendering and meaning is, "He had a name, that is, rank, reputation, among the three. Was he not the most honourable of the three? For this he was made their captain: yet he attained not to equal dignity with the first three.

Vers. 18-23. (1Ch_11:22-25)

The heroism of Benaiah.

He was son of Jehoiada, chief priest and leader of the Aaronites who came to David at Hebron; (1Ch_12:27) one of (a second) three "mighties" (with Abishai and, perhaps, Asahel), and above the thirty; (1Ch_27:5, 1Ch_27:6) captain of the host for the third month; and commander of the body guard. (2Sa_8:18 2Sa_20:23) He remained faithful to Solomon in the conspiracy of Adonijah, was commissioned to execute Joab, and appointed commander-in-chief in his stead. (1Ki_1:26, 36 2:29, 35) He was "a valiant man, of many illustrious deeds." His name (equivalent to "built by Jah") is suggestive of the Divine source of his strength, valour, and successful conflicts with the enemies of the people of God. He slew

(1) two Moabitish champions, or princes, "lions of God"; (2Sa_8:2)

(2) a ferocious lion, which had been driven by a heavy fall of snow into the neighbourhood of human habitations, to the terror of the inhabitants, and had taken refuge in a pit or (empty) cistern; and

(3) an Egyptian giant (fighting on the side of the Philistines). "His valour and virtues are recorded, not only for commemoration and remembrance, but likewise for example and imitation of his virtues, and to show how great works the Lord wrought by weak means" (Guild).

1. We ought never to contend, except in a good cause; for truth, justice, and liberty, the honour of God, the kingdom of Christ, and the welfare of men. "If it be possible," etc.. (Rom_12:18)

2. We cannot avoid conflict altogether without sin, captivity, dishonour, and destruction. In a world like this there is often no choice but to fight or be slain. "Curse ye Meroz," etc.. (Jud_1:5:23) "Contend earnestly for the faith," etc. (Jud_1:3). "Now we must fight if we would reign.

3. We must not be dismayed by the power of the enemy; "in nothing affrighted by the adversaries"; (Php_1:28) their strength, their number (two to one, ver. 20), their formidable appearance, their varied character, natural or spiritual; lionlike men, real lions, or "your adversary the devil," who, "as a roaring lion, walketh about," etc.. (1Pe_5:8) Be strong and fear not.

4. We should not be unduly concerned about our own safety; but seek, above all things, to do our duty faithfully, and use our best endeavours to secure the ends for which we strive. Having traced the footprints of the lion in the snow, "he went down" (voluntarily placing his own life in imminent peril to secure the safety of others.) "and slew the lion in the pit" (knowing that he must succeed or perish) "in a time of snow" (which is apt to benumb man"s strength and to cool their courage, and when beasts of prey are most fierce and ravenous from hunger). "None of these things move me," etc. (Act_20:24 Act_21:13; 2Ti_4:16, 2Ti_4:17)

1. We must make the best of our resources, however inadequate they may appear; and not shrink from the conflict until we are as fully armed as our opponents. "He went down to him with only a staff" (ver. 22); skilfully

2. and adroitly deprived him of his spear ("like a weaver"s beam"), rendered him defenceless, and turned his weapon against himself. We must fight with such means as we have.

3. We should never forget the example of our great Leader; (1Sa_17:50) that he sees us, is ready to help us, and will greatly honour "him that overcometh". (vers. 22, 23; Rev_2:26)

Though the sons of night blaspheme, More there are with us than them; Hell is nigh, but Christ is nigher, Circling us with hosts of fire.

4. we should be encouraged by the remembrance of past successes, achieved by ourselves and others. These are a sure earnest of the final victory of the kingdom of light over the kingdom of darkness. "Greater is he that is in you," etc.. D. (1Jn_4:4)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Abishai ... Zeruiah

These are the names of men. Translate them as in 2 Samuel 2:18.

captain over the three

This means Abishai was the leader of the three who went and got water for David.

three hundred men

"300 men" (See: Numbers)

He was often mentioned along with the three soldiers

This can be stated in active form. AT: "People often mentioned him when they spoke about the three bravest men" (See: Active or Passive)

Was he not even more famous than the three?

This question is used to emphasize how famous he was. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. AT: "He was even more famous than the three." (See: Rhetorical Question)

three most famous soldiers

This refers to Josheb Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shimeah. Abishai was not as famous as these soldiers.

translationWords

brother

Joab

son

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.