Westminster Annotations, 2 Samuel (2 Kings) · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
Vers. 1. THe last words] That is, which he spake by the inspiration of Gods spirit, as a pen-man of holy Scriptures, after his Psalms, and other works.
raised] To wit, from a low estate to be king of Israel.
sweet psalmist] That is, who had both penned the Psalms, and appointed the musick-instruments, and tunes fitting for them, Amos 6. 5.
V. 2. my tongue] Meaning that he spake nothing, but by the motion of Gods spirit.
V. 3. the Rock] That is, the immoveable foundation of all their hopes and comforts, and the place of their refuge in danger of all enemies. So Deut. 32. 4. and Psal. 18. 2.
He that ruleth] Or, Be thou ruler, &c. That is, it is fit that he who giveth laws and commands to order and guide others, should himself be just and straight, and that not for outward and civill respects, but from an inward and true principle, the fear of God, in whose right and place he ruleth. Some think this to be meant of our spirituall king, the LORD CHRIST, of whom David and Solomon were types, Psal. 2. 8. 110. 2. 72. 5, 8. Jere. 23. 5, 6. Zach. 9. 7.
V. 4. as the light] That is, he that ruleth justly, and in the fear of God, shall like the morning light, still increase in glory and all prosperity.
tender grasse] That is, he shall grow and flourish like the grasse and herbs, which have the benefit of the sun, and seasonable showres; all which, some understand of the Messias, and the fruits and benefits that accompany his kingdom, Hos. 6. 3. Psal. 110. 3. Mal. 4. 2. Isa. 60. 1, 2. Luk. 1. 78 Isa. 64. 4.
V. 5. be not so] That is, so exact and perfect in our rule and government, but are subject to many failings, and often break our covenant with God.
everlasting] That is, durable and immutable, being grounded not on our worthinesse and perfections, but his own free grace, 2 Sam. 7. 15, 16. Jere. 31. 31, 32, 33, 34.
ordered] That is, by his eternall and gracious decree disposed, both in respect of the end and means, that it cannot fail; but will, notwithstanding our unworthinesse, continue firm in all his promises, both to me and my house, even for his own names sake, and for his Christ the foundation of the covenant.
for this] That is, Gods gracious covenant, and the things contained in it, concerning my self and house.
not to grow] That is, although for our sins and unworthinesse he do not grant unto us that flourishing prosperity expressed in the former verse; yet all this will not frustrate his free promises, and make them of no effect, Rom. 3. 3.
V. 6. Belial] That is, wicked and reprobate men, who being quite opposite to the just and faithfull, have shaken off the yoke of Christs kingly government. See Judg. 19. 22.
be taken] To wit, without pricking and hurting those that gripe them.
V. 7. fenced] Heb. filled.
with iron] That is, must fill his hand with some iron instrument to cut them down, or preserve it from hurt, by putting on it some strong and impenetrable glove.
the staff] That is, must thrust them from him, and keep them aloof, that they may not hurt, with a staff or pole, like the staff of a spear.
same place] To wit, in which they are cut down; and thus wicked men must be used like these thorns, if the godly will keep themselves from being hurt by them.
V. 8. mighty men] That is, Davids worthies, and cheif commanders.
the Tachmonite] Or, Josheb-bassebet the Tachmonite head of the three; called Jashobeam the son of Hachmoni, 1 Chro. 11. 1.
sat in the seat] To wit, president in the councell of war; to which his name alludeth.
chief] To wit, among the six colonels here named, who in Davids army were set over the thirty captains after mentioned, v. 23, 24.
he lift up] That is, he fought against, or set upon eight hundred to slay them; though he slew onelyonly three hundred upon the place, as it is 1 Chron. 11. 11. Or it may be thus taken, That he discomfited eight hundred by slaying three hundred of them, and put the rest to flight. Others think, that this place, and that in the Chronicles, speak of two severall victories.
whom he slew] Heb. slain.
V. 9. Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite] 1 Chron. 11. 12.
defied] Exposing their lives to danger of death, as it is Judg. 5. 18.
gone away] That is, were by the Philistines put to flight. See 1 Chron. 11. 13. where this story is inlarged.
V. 10. the people] To wit, who had fled, returned not to fight (for he had got the victory) but to pillage onelyonly.
V. 11. Shammah] Called Shammoth, 1 Chro. 11. 27.
into a troup] Or, for foraging.
V. 13. And three of the thirty] Or, the three captains over the thirty. That is, those three set over the thirty, as chief colonells, that is, Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah.
of Adullam] See 1 Sam. 22. v. 1. to 6.
Rephaim] See Chap. 5. 18.
V. 14. an hold] See 1 Sam. 22. 5. Some take it for the fort of Sion.
V. 15. longed] That is, through heat and thirst afflicting him.
that one] That is, some one or other, not requiring any to fetch it: But the wishes of princes are commands to subjects.
V. 16. poured it] That is, as an oblation to testifie his thankfulnesse to God, for preserving these men in this extream danger.
V. 17. the blood] That is, that for which they have hazarded their blood.
V. 18. Abishai the brother of Joab] 1 Chron. 11. 20.
among three] That is, not the first three, but a second ternary of colonels, to wit, Abishai, Benajah, and Asahel. Or as others think, Jonathan the son of Shimea, Chap. 21. 21.
lift up] That is, assaulted and fought with three hundred.
and slew] Heb. slain.
V. 19. attained not] That is, to that esteem of strength and valour.
V. 20. Kabzeel] A citie situate in the south end of Judah, Josh. 15. 21.
who had done many acts] Heb. great of acts.
lion-like men] Heb. lion of God; That is, both in respect of courage and strength.
of snow] That is, when wilde beasts are most hungry and fierce.
V. 21. a goodly man] Heb. a man of countenance, or sight: called also, a man of great stature; That is, both in respect of stature, strength and valour. See 1 Chro. 11. 23.
V. 22. among three] That is, the three of Davids chief commanders of the second order.
V. 23. more honourable then the thirty] Or, honourable among the thirty.
his guard] Or, councel. Heb. at his command. See Chap. 8. 18.
V. 24. Asahel the brother of Joab] Chap. 2. 18.
one of the thirty] He was last of the second order of Davids chief commanders, but more honourable then the thirty captains after named, which had over every five of the thirty one of the six colonels set to command them for the service of warre.
V. 25. Harodite] See Judg. 7. 1.
V. 26. Paltite] 1 Chron. 11. 27.
V. 27. Anethothite] See Josh. 21. 18.
Hushathite] Of the tribe of Judah, 1 Chro. 4. 4. many of these here mentioned had two names, as appeareth, 1 Chro. 11. (the which was usuall among the Hebrews) and many more are there reckoned, which were either added to this number, or else substituted in the places of those that died. All which were called Davids thirty, in respect that they were just so many in his first choice, though afterwards they might be fewer or more; as they were called still the twelve Apostles, when Paul and Barnabas were added to them, and so also when Judas was taken from them, Joh. 20. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 5.
V. 30. brooks] Or, valleys.
V. 39. thirty and seven] To wit, Joab the generall, and the fix great worthies being added to the thirty here named.