And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
Read it in contextDavid’s Mighty Men
Start reading at 2 Samuel 23:8 (2 Samuel 23:8 to 2 Samuel 23:39).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
23:8These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
23:9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
23:10He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
23:11And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
23:12But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
23:13And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
23:14And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
23:15And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
23:16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
23:17And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
23:18And 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.
23:19Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
23:20And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
23:21And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
23:22These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
23:23He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
23:24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
23:25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
23:26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
23:27Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
23:28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
23:29Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
23:30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
23:31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
23:32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
23:33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
23:34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
23:35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
23:36Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
23:37Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
23:38Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
23:39Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? The final compiler is unknown. Jewish tradition connects the continuation of Samuel's history with Nathan and Gad; Chronicles also names their records concerning David. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 29:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Samuel 23:1–23:39): David's final oracle and the accounts of his mighty men concern the king and his warriors; they are collected testimony, not one speech heard by every named person. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israelite readers learning about David's kingship, God's promise to his house, and the consequences of his family's actions. Biblical references: 2 Samuel 7:12; 2 Samuel 12:10; 2 Samuel 23:1. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? David’s Mighty Men. Read 2 Samuel 23:8 through 2 Samuel 23:39 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account follows Saul's death and concerns David's reign. Its final collected episodes and songs are not all presented as a strictly sequential diary. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? David first reigns in Hebron and then in Jerusalem; campaigns and rebellions range beyond the capital. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in David’s Mighty Men (2 Samuel 23:8 to 2 Samuel 23:39).
Start reading at 2 Samuel 23:8. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The promise concerning David's house is taken up in the New Testament's account of Jesus' kingship. Keep the nearer historical setting of David's family and the later messianic application distinguishable. See 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:16, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Take responsibility for sin and its effects on others. God's promises should not be used to excuse a leader's conduct or silence a truthful rebuke. interpretation
Cited: 2 Samuel 23:8, 2 Samuel 23:39, 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:16, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33
Who wrote it, and how we know
Nathan and Gad (traditional)From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Chronicles refers to written records of Nathan and Gad. 1 Chronicles 29:29
Early traditionJewish tradition credits Nathan and Gad.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated in Scripture.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Samuel 23
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Samuel follows David's reign, his household, and the consequences of his actions. Promises concerning his house and reports of his sins must both remain in view. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Samuel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Samuel follows David's reign, his household, and the consequences of his actions. Promises concerning his house and reports of his sins must both remain in view.
Connection to the wholeThe final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.