The historian is now drawing towards a conclusion of David's
reign, and therefore gives us an account here, I. Of some of his last words,
which he spoke by inspiration, and which seem to have reference to his seed that
was to be for evermore, spoken of in the close of the foregoing chapter (v.
1-7). II. Of the great men, especially the military men, that were employed
under him, the first three (v. 8-17), two of the next three (v. 18-23), and
then the thirty (v. 24-39).
We have here the last will and testament of king David, or a
codicil annexed to it, after he had settled the crown upon Solomon and his
treasures upon the temple which was to be built. The last words of great and
good men are thought worthy to be in a special manner remarked and remembered.
David would have those taken notice of, and added either to his Psalms (as they
are here to that in the foregoing chapter) or to the chronicles of his reign.
Those words especially in v. 5, though recorded before, we may suppose he often
repeated for his own consolation, even to his last breath, and therefore they
are called his last words. When we find death approaching we should
endeavor both to honour God and to edify those about us with our last words. Let
those that have had long experience of God's goodness and the pleasantness of
wisdom, when they come to finish their course, leave a record of that experience
and bear their testimony to the truth of the promise. We have upon record the
last words of Jacob and Moses, and here of David, designed, as those, for a
legacy to those that were left behind. We are here told,
I. Whose last will and testament this is. This is related
either, or is usual, by the testator himself, or rather, by the historian, v. 1.
He is described, 1. By the meanness of his original: He was the son of Jesse.
It is good for those who are advanced to be corner-stones and top-stones to be
reminded, and often to remind themselves, of the rock out of which they were
hewn. 2. The height of his elevation: He was raised up on high, as
one favoured of God, and designed for something great, raised up as a prince, to
sit higher than his neighbours, and as a prophet, to see further; for, (1.) He
was the anointed of the God of Jacob, and so was serviceable to the
people of God in their civil interests, the protection of their country and the
administration of justice among them. (2.) He was the sweet psalmist of
Israel, and so was serviceable to them in their religious exercises. he
penned the psalms, set the tunes, appointed both the singers and the instruments
of music, by which the devotions of good people were much excited and enlarged.
Note, The singing of psalms is a sweet ordinance, very agreeable to those that
delight in praising God. It is reckoned among the honours to which David was
raised up that he was a psalmist: in that he was as truly great as in his being the
anointed of the God of Jacob. Note, It is true preferment to be serviceable
to the church in acts of devotion and instrumental to promote the blessed work
of prayer and praise. Observe, Was David a prince? He was so for Jacob. Was he a
psalmist? He was so for Israel. Note, the dispensation of the Spirit is given to
every man to profit withal, and therefore, as every man has received the
gift, so let him minister the same.
II. What the purport of it is. It is an account of his communion
with God. Observe,
1. What God said to him both for his direction and for his
encouragement as a king, and to be in like manner, of use to his successors.
Pious persons take a pleasure in calling to mind what they have heard from God,
in recollecting his word, and revolving it in their minds. Thus what God spoke
once David heard twice, yea often. See here,
(1.) Who spoke: The Spirit of the Lord, the God of Israel,
and the Rock of Israel, which some think is an intimation of the Trinity
of persons in the Godhead—the Father the God of Israel, the Son the
Rock of Israel, and the Spirit proceeding from the Father and the
Son, who spoke by the prophets, and particularly by David, and whose word
was not only in his heart, but in his tongue for the benefit of others. David
here avows his divine inspiration, that in his psalms, and in this composition, The
Spirit of God spoke by him. He, and other holy men, spoke and wrote as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost. This puts an honour upon the book of
Psalms, and recommends them to our use in our devotions, that they are words
which the Holy Ghost teaches.
(2.) What was spoken. Here seems to be a distinction made
between what the Spirit of God spoke by David, which includes all his
psalms, and what the Rock of Israel spoke to David, which concerned
himself and his family. Let ministers observe that those by whom God speaks to
others are concerned to hear and heed what he speaks to themselves. Those whose
office it is to teach others their duty must be sure to learn and do their own.
Now that which is here said (v. 3, 4) may be considered, [1.] With application
to David, and his royal family. And so here is, First, The duty of
magistrates enjoined them. When a king was spoken to from God he was not to be
complimented with the height of his dignity and the extent of his power, but to
be told his duty. "Must is for the king," we say. Here is a must
for the king: He must be just, ruling in the fear of God; and so must all
inferior magistrates in their places. Let rulers remember that they rule over
men—not over beasts which they may enslave and abuse at pleasure, but over
reasonable creatures and of the same rank with themselves. They rule over men
that have their follies and infirmities, and therefore must be borne with. They
rule over men, but under God, and for him; and therefore, 1. They must be just,
both to those over whom they rule, in allowing them their rights and properties,
and between those over whom they rule, using their power to right the injured
against the injurious; see Deu. 1:16, 17. It is not enough that they do no
wrong, but they must not suffer wrong to be done. 2. They must rule in the fear
of God, that is, they must themselves be possessed with a fear of God, by which
they will be effectually restrained from all acts of injustice and oppression.
Nehemiah was so (Neh. 5:15, So did not I, because of the fear of God),
and Joseph, Gen. 43:18. They must also endeavor to promote the fear of God (that
is, the practice of religion) among those over whom they rule. The magistrate is
to be the keeper of both tables, and to protect both godliness and honesty. Secondly,
Prosperity promised them if they do, this duty. He that rules in the
fear of God shall be as the light of the morning, v. 4. Light is sweet and
pleasant, and he that does his duty shall have the comfort of it; his rejoicing
will be the testimony of his conscience. Light is bright, and a good prince is
illustrious; his justice and piety will be his honour. Light is a blessing, nor
are there any greater and more extensive blessings to the public than princes
that rule in the fear of God. As the light of the morning, which
is most welcome after the darkness of the night (so was David's government
after Saul's, Ps. 75:3), which is increasing, shines more and more to the
perfect day, such is the growing lustre of a good government. It is likewise
compared to the tender grass, which the earth produces for the service of man;
it brings with it a harvest of blessings. See Ps. 72:6, 16, which were also some
of the last words of David, and seem to refer to those recorded here. [2.] With
application to Christ, the Son of David, and then it must all be taken as a
prophecy, and the original will bear it: There shall be a rule among men,
or over men, that shall be just, and shall rule in the fear of God,
that is, shall order the affairs of religion and divine worship according to his
Father's will; and he shall be as the light to the morning, etc., for
he is the light of the world, and as the tender grass, for he is the branch
of the Lord, and the fruit of the earth, Isa. 11:1-5; 32:1, 2; Ps.
72:2. God, by the Spirit, gave David the foresight of this, to comfort him under
the many calamities of his family and the melancholy prospects he had of the
degeneracy of his seed.
2. What comfortable use he made of this which God spoke to him,
and what were his devout meditations on it, by way of reply, v. 5. It is not
unlike his meditation on occasion of such a message, 2 Sa. 7:18, etc. That which
goes before the Rock of Israel spoke to him; this the Spirit of God spoke
by him, and it is a most excellent confession of his faith and hope in
the everlasting covenant. Here is,
(1.) Trouble supposed: Although my house be not so with God,
and although he make it not to grow. David's family was not so with God
as is described (v. 3, 4), and as he could wish, not so good, not so happy; it
had not been so while he lived; he foresaw it would not be so when he was gone,
that his house would be neither so pious nor so prosperous as one might have
expected the offspring of such a father to be. [1.] Not so with God.
Note, We and ours are that really which we are with God. This was what David's
heart was upon concerning his children, that they might be right with God,
faithful to him and zealous for him. But the children of godly parents are often
neither so holy nor so happy as might be expected. We must be made to know that
it is corruption, not grace, that runs in the blood, that the race is not to the
swift, but that God gives his Spirit as a free-agent. [2.] Not made to grow,
in number, in power; it is God that makes families to grow or not to grow, Ps.
107:41. Good men have often the melancholy prospect of a declining family. David's
house was typical of the church of Christ, which is his house, Heb. 3:3. Suppose
this be not so with God as we could wish, suppose it be diminished, distressed,
disgraced, and weakened, by errors and corruptions, yea, almost extinct, yet God
has made a covenant with the church's head, the Son of David, that he will
preserve to him a seed, that the gates of hell shall never prevail against his
house. This our Saviour comforted himself with in his sufferings, that the
covenant with him stood firm, Isa. 53:10-12. (2.) Comfort ensured: Yet he
hath made with me an everlasting covenant. Whatever trouble a child of God
may have the prospect of, still he has some comfort or other to balance it with
(2 Co. 4:8, 9), and there is none like this of the Psalmist, which may be
understood, [1.] Of the covenant of royalty (in the type) which God made with
David and his seed, touching the kingdom, Ps. 132:11, 12. But, [2.] It must look
further, to the covenant of grace made with all believers, that God will be, in
Christ, to them a God, which was signified by the covenant of royalty, and
therefore the promises of the covenant are called the sure mercies of David,
Isa. 55:3. It is this only that is the everlasting covenant, and it cannot be
imagined that David, who, in so many of his psalms, speaks so clearly concerning
Christ and the grace of the gospel, should forget it in his last words. God has
made a covenant of grace with us in Jesus Christ, and we are here told, First,
That it is an everlasting covenant, from everlasting in the contrivance
and counsel of it, and to everlasting in the continuance and consequences of it.
Secondly, That it is ordered, well ordered in all things,
admirably well, to advance the glory of God and the honour of the Mediator,
together with the holiness and comfort of believers. It is herein well ordered,
that whatever is required in the covenant is promised, and that every
transgression in the covenant does not throw us out of covenant, and that it
puts our salvation, not in our own keeping, but in the keeping of a Mediator. Thirdly,
That it is sure, and therefore sure because well ordered; the
general offer of it is sure; the promised mercies are sure on the performance of
the conditions. The particular application of it to true believers is sure; it
is sure to all the seed. Fourthly, That it is all our salvation.
Nothing but this will save us, and this is sufficient: it is this only upon
which our salvation depends. Fifthly, That therefore it must be all
our desire. Let me have an interest in this covenant and the promises of it,
and I have enough, I desire no more.
3. Here is the doom of the sons of Belial read, v. 6, 7. (1.)
They shall be thrust away as thorns—rejected, abandoned. They are like thorns,
not to be touched with hands, so passionate and furious that they cannot be
managed or dealt with by a wise and faithful reproof, but must be restrained by
law and the sword of justice (Ps. 32:9); and therefore, like thorns, (2.) They
shall, at length, be utterly burnt with fire in the same place, Heb. 6:8. Now
this is intended, [1.] As a direction to magistrates to use their power for the
punishing and suppressing of wickedness. Let them thrust away the sons of
Belial; see Ps. 101:8. Or, [2.] As a caution to magistrates, and
particularly to David's sons and successors, to see that they be not
themselves sons of Belial (as too many of them were), for then neither the
dignity of their place nor their relation to David would secure them from being
thrust away by the righteous judgments of God. Though men could not deal with
them, God would. Or, [3.] As a prediction of the ruin of all the implacable
enemies of Christ's kingdom. There are enemies without, that openly oppose it
and fight against it, and enemies within, that secretly betray it and are false
to it; both are sons of Belial, children of the wicked one, of the serpent's
seed; both are as thorns, grievous and vexago through them (Isa. 27:4),
and will, in due time, bless his church with such peace that there shall be no
pricking brier nor grieving thorn. And those that will not repent, to give
glory to God, shall, in the judgment-day (to which the Chaldee paraphrast refers
this), be burnt with unquenchable fire. See Lu. 19:27.
I. The catalogue which the historian has here left upon record
of the great soldiers that were in David's time is intended, 1. For the honour
of David, who trained them up in the arts of exercises of war, and set them an
example of conduct and courage. It is the reputation as well as the advantage of
a prince to be attended and served by such brave men as are here described. 2.
For the honour of those worthies themselves, who were instrumental to bring
David to the crown, settle and protect him in the throne, and enlarge his
conquests. Note, Those that in public stations venture themselves, and lay out
themselves, to serve the interests of their country, are worthy of double honour,
both to be respected by those of their own age and to be remembered by
posterity. 3. To excite those that come after to a generous emulation. 4. To
show how much religion contributes to the inspiring of men with true courage.
David, both by his psalms and by his offerings for the service of the temple,
greatly promoted piety among the grandees of the kingdom (1 Chr. 29:6), and,
when they became famous for piety, they became famous for bravery.
II. Now these mighty men are here divided into three ranks:—
1. The first three, who had done the greatest exploits and
thereby gained the greatest reputation—Adino (v. 8), Eleazar (v. 9, 10), and
Shammah, v. 11, 12. I do not remember that we read of any of these, or of their
actions, any where in all the story of David but here and in the parallel place,
1 Chr. 11. Many great and remarkable events are passed by in the annals, which
relate rather the blemishes than the glories of David's reign, especially
after his sin in the matter Uriah; so that we may conclude his reign to have
been really more illustrious than it has appeared to us while reading the
records of it. The exploits of this brave triumvirate are here recorded. They
signalized themselves in the wars of Israel against their enemies, especially
the Philistines. (1.) Adino slew 800 at once with his spear. (2.) Eleazar defied
the Philistines, as they by Goliath, had defied Israel, but with better success
and greater bravery; for when the men of Israel had gone away, he not only kept
his ground, but arose, and smote the Philistines, on whom God struck a
terror equal to the courage with which this great hero was inspired. His hand
was weary, and yet it clave to his sword; as long as he had any strength
remaining he held his weapon and followed his blow. Thus, in the service of God,
we should keep up the willingness and resolution of the spirit, notwithstanding
the weakness and weariness of the flesh—faint, yet pursuing (Jdg. 8:4), the
hand weary, yet not quitting the sword. Now that Eleazar had beaten the enemy,
the men of Israel, who had gone away from the battle (v. 9), returned to spoil,
v. 10. It is common for those who quit the field, when any thing is to be done
to hasten to it when any thing is to be gotten. (3.) Shammah met with a party of
the enemy, that were foraging, and routed them, v. 11, 12. But observe, both
concerning this exploit and the former, it is here said, The Lord wrought a
great victory. Note, How great soever the bravery of the instruments is, the
praise of the achievement must be given to God. These fought the battles, but
God wrought the victory. Let not the strong man then glory in his strength, nor
in any of his military operations, but let him that glories glory in the
Lord.
2. The next three were distinguished from, and dignified above,
the thirty, but attained not to the first three, v. 23. All great men are not of
the same size. Many a bright and benign star there is which is not of the first
magnitude, and many a good ship not of the first rate. Of this second
triumvirate two only are named, Abishai and Benaiah, whom we have often met with
in the story of David, and who seem to have been not inferior in
serviceableness, though they were in dignity, to the first three. Here is,
(1.) A brave action of these three in conjunction. They attended
David in his troubles, when he absconded, in the cave of Adullam (v. 13),
suffered with him, and therefore were afterwards preferred by him. When David
and his brave men who attended him, who had acted so vigorously against the
Philistines, were, by the iniquity of the times, in Saul's reign, driven to
shelter themselves from his rage in caves and strong holds, no marvel that the
Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim, and put a garrison even in
Bethlehem itself, v. 13, 14. If the church's guides are so misled as to
persecute some of her best friends and champions, the common enemy will, no
doubt, get advantage by it. If David had had his liberty, Bethlehem would not
have been now in the Philistines' hands. But, being so, we are here told, [1.]
How earnestly David longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem. Some make it
a public-spirited wish, and that he meant, "O that we could drive the
garrison of the Philistines out of Bethlehem, and make that beloved city of mine
our own again!" the well being put for the city, as the river often
signifies the country it passes through. But if he meant so, those about him did
not understand him; therefore it seems rather to be an instance of his weakness.
It was harvest-time; the weather was hot; he was thirsty; perhaps good water was
scarce, and therefore he earnestly wished, "O that I could but have one
draught of the water of the well of Bethlehem!" With the water of that well
he had often refreshed himself when he was a youth, and nothing now will serve
him but that, though it is almost impossible to come at it. He strangely
indulged a humour which he could give no reason for. Other water might quench
his thirst as well, but he had a fancy for that above any. It is folly to
entertain such fancies and greater folly to insist upon the gratification of
them. We ought to check our appetites when they go out inordinately towards
those things that really are more pleasant and grateful than other things (Be
not desirous of dainties), much more when they are thus set upon such things
as only please a humour. [2.] How bravely his three mighty men, Abishai, Benaiah,
and another not named, ventured through the camp of the Philistines, upon the
very mouth of danger, and fetched water from the well of Bethlehem, without
David's knowledge, v. 16. When he wished for it he was far from desiring that
any of his men should venture their lives for it; but those three did, to show, First,
How much they valued their prince, and with what pleasure they could run the
greatest hardships in his service. David, though anointed king, was as yet an
exile, a poor prince that had no external advantages to recommend him to the
affection and esteem of his attendants, nor was he in any capacity to prefer or
reward them; yet those three were thus zealous for his satisfaction, firmly
believing the time of recompence would come. Let us be willing to venture in the
cause of Christ, even when it is a suffering cause, as those who are assured
that it will prevail and that we shall not lose by it at last. Were they so
forward to expose themselves upon the least hint of their prince's mind and so
ambitious to please him? And shall not we covet to approve ourselves to our Lord
Jesus by a ready compliance with every intimation of his will given us by his
word, Spirit and providence? Secondly, How little they feared the
Philistines. They were glad of an occasion to defy them. Whether they broke
through the host clandestinely, and with such art that the Philistines did not
discover them, or openly, and with such terror in their looks that the
Philistines durst not oppose them, is not certain; it should seem, they forced
their way, sword in hand. But see, [3.] How self-denyingly David, when he had
this far-fetched dear-bought water, poured it out before the Lord, v. 17.
First, Thus he would show the tender regard he had to the lives of his
soldiers, and how far he was from being prodigal of their blood, Ps. 72:14. In
God's sight the death of his saints is precious. Secondly, Thus he
would testify his sorrow for speaking that foolish word which occasioned those
men to put their lives in their hands. Great men should take heed what they say,
lest any bad use be made of it by those about them. Thirdly, Thus he
would prevent the like rashness in any of his men for the future. Fourthly,
Thus he would cross his own foolish fancy, and punish himself for entertaining
and indulging it, and show that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones,
and knew how to deny himself even in that which he was most fond of. Such
generous mortifications become the wise, the great, and the good. Fifthly,
Thus he would honour God and give glory to him. The water purchased at this rate
he thought too precious for his own drinking and fit only to be poured out to
God as a drink-offering. If it was the blood of these men, it was God's due,
for the blood was always his. Sixthly, Bishop Patrick speaks of some who
think that David hereby showed that it was not material water he longed for, but
the Messiah, who had the water of life, who, he knew, should be born at
Bethlehem, which the Philistines therefore should not be able to destroy. Seventhly,
Did David look upon that water as very precious which was got at the hazard of
these men's blood, and shall not we much more value those benefits for the
purchasing of which our blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let us not undervalue
the blood of the covenant, as those do that undervalue the blessings of the
covenant.
(2.) The brave actions of two of them on other occasions.
Abishai slew 300 men at once, v. 18, 19. Benaiah did many great things. [1.] He
slew two Moabites that were lion-like men, so bold and strong, so fierce and
furious. [2.] He slew an Egyptian, on what occasion it is not said; he was well
armed but Benaiah attacked him with no other weapon than a walking staff,
dexterously wrested his spear out of his hand, and slew him with it, v. 21. For
these and similar exploits David preferred him to be captain of the life-guard
or standing forces, v. 23.
3. Inferior to the second three, but of great note, were the
thirty-one here mentioned by name, v. 24, etc. Asahel is the first, who was
slain by Abner in the beginning of David's reign, but lost not his place in
this catalogue. Elhanan is the next, brother to Eleazar, one of the first three,
v. 9. The surnames here given them are taken, as it should seem, from the places
of their birth or habitation, as many surnames with us originally were. From all
parts of the nation, the most wise and valiant were picked up to serve the king.
Several of those who are named we find captains of the twelve courses which
David appointed, one for each month in the year, 1 Chr. 27. Those that did
worthily were preferred according to their merits. One of them was the son of
Ahithophel (v. 34), the son famous in the camp as the father at the
council-board. But to find Uriah the Hittite bringing up the rear of these
worthies, as it revives the remembrance of David's sin, so it aggravates it,
that a man who deserved so well of his king and country should be so ill
treated. Joab is not mentioned among all these, either, (1.) to be mentioned;
the first, of the first three sat chief among the captains, but Joab was over
them as general. Or, (2.) Because he was so bad that he did not deserve to be
mentioned; for though he was confessedly a great soldier, and one that had so
much religion in him as to dedicate of his spoils to the house of God (1 Chr.
26:28), yet he lost as much honour by slaying two of David's friends as ever
he got by slaying his enemies.
Christ, the Son of David, has his worthies too, who like David's,
are influenced by his example, fight his battles against the spiritual enemies
of his kingdom, and in his strength are more than conquerors. Christ's
apostles were his immediate attendants, did and suffered great things for him,
and at length came to reign with him. They are mentioned with honour in the New
Testament, as these in the Old, especially, Rev. 21:14. Nay, all the good
soldiers of Jesus Christ have their names better preserved than even these
worthies have; for they are written in heaven. This honour have all his saints.
2 Samuel 23 Bible Commentary
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete)
The historian is now drawing towards a conclusion of David's reign, and therefore gives us an account here, I. Of some of his last words, which he spoke by inspiration, and which seem to have reference to his seed that was to be for evermore, spoken of in the close of the foregoing chapter (v. 1-7). II. Of the great men, especially the military men, that were employed under him, the first three (v. 8-17), two of the next three (v. 18-23), and then the thirty (v. 24-39).
Verses 1-7
We have here the last will and testament of king David, or a codicil annexed to it, after he had settled the crown upon Solomon and his treasures upon the temple which was to be built. The last words of great and good men are thought worthy to be in a special manner remarked and remembered. David would have those taken notice of, and added either to his Psalms (as they are here to that in the foregoing chapter) or to the chronicles of his reign. Those words especially in v. 5, though recorded before, we may suppose he often repeated for his own consolation, even to his last breath, and therefore they are called his last words. When we find death approaching we should endeavor both to honour God and to edify those about us with our last words. Let those that have had long experience of God's goodness and the pleasantness of wisdom, when they come to finish their course, leave a record of that experience and bear their testimony to the truth of the promise. We have upon record the last words of Jacob and Moses, and here of David, designed, as those, for a legacy to those that were left behind. We are here told,
I. Whose last will and testament this is. This is related either, or is usual, by the testator himself, or rather, by the historian, v. 1. He is described, 1. By the meanness of his original: He was the son of Jesse. It is good for those who are advanced to be corner-stones and top-stones to be reminded, and often to remind themselves, of the rock out of which they were hewn. 2. The height of his elevation: He was raised up on high, as one favoured of God, and designed for something great, raised up as a prince, to sit higher than his neighbours, and as a prophet, to see further; for, (1.) He was the anointed of the God of Jacob, and so was serviceable to the people of God in their civil interests, the protection of their country and the administration of justice among them. (2.) He was the sweet psalmist of Israel, and so was serviceable to them in their religious exercises. he penned the psalms, set the tunes, appointed both the singers and the instruments of music, by which the devotions of good people were much excited and enlarged. Note, The singing of psalms is a sweet ordinance, very agreeable to those that delight in praising God. It is reckoned among the honours to which David was raised up that he was a psalmist: in that he was as truly great as in his being the anointed of the God of Jacob. Note, It is true preferment to be serviceable to the church in acts of devotion and instrumental to promote the blessed work of prayer and praise. Observe, Was David a prince? He was so for Jacob. Was he a psalmist? He was so for Israel. Note, the dispensation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, and therefore, as every man has received the gift, so let him minister the same.
II. What the purport of it is. It is an account of his communion with God. Observe,
1. What God said to him both for his direction and for his encouragement as a king, and to be in like manner, of use to his successors. Pious persons take a pleasure in calling to mind what they have heard from God, in recollecting his word, and revolving it in their minds. Thus what God spoke once David heard twice, yea often. See here,
(1.) Who spoke: The Spirit of the Lord, the God of Israel, and the Rock of Israel, which some think is an intimation of the Trinity of persons in the Godhead—the Father the God of Israel, the Son the Rock of Israel, and the Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, who spoke by the prophets, and particularly by David, and whose word was not only in his heart, but in his tongue for the benefit of others. David here avows his divine inspiration, that in his psalms, and in this composition, The Spirit of God spoke by him. He, and other holy men, spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. This puts an honour upon the book of Psalms, and recommends them to our use in our devotions, that they are words which the Holy Ghost teaches.
(2.) What was spoken. Here seems to be a distinction made between what the Spirit of God spoke by David, which includes all his psalms, and what the Rock of Israel spoke to David, which concerned himself and his family. Let ministers observe that those by whom God speaks to others are concerned to hear and heed what he speaks to themselves. Those whose office it is to teach others their duty must be sure to learn and do their own. Now that which is here said (v. 3, 4) may be considered, [1.] With application to David, and his royal family. And so here is, First, The duty of magistrates enjoined them. When a king was spoken to from God he was not to be complimented with the height of his dignity and the extent of his power, but to be told his duty. "Must is for the king," we say. Here is a must for the king: He must be just, ruling in the fear of God; and so must all inferior magistrates in their places. Let rulers remember that they rule over men—not over beasts which they may enslave and abuse at pleasure, but over reasonable creatures and of the same rank with themselves. They rule over men that have their follies and infirmities, and therefore must be borne with. They rule over men, but under God, and for him; and therefore, 1. They must be just, both to those over whom they rule, in allowing them their rights and properties, and between those over whom they rule, using their power to right the injured against the injurious; see Deu. 1:16, 17. It is not enough that they do no wrong, but they must not suffer wrong to be done. 2. They must rule in the fear of God, that is, they must themselves be possessed with a fear of God, by which they will be effectually restrained from all acts of injustice and oppression. Nehemiah was so (Neh. 5:15, So did not I, because of the fear of God), and Joseph, Gen. 43:18. They must also endeavor to promote the fear of God (that is, the practice of religion) among those over whom they rule. The magistrate is to be the keeper of both tables, and to protect both godliness and honesty. Secondly, Prosperity promised them if they do, this duty. He that rules in the fear of God shall be as the light of the morning, v. 4. Light is sweet and pleasant, and he that does his duty shall have the comfort of it; his rejoicing will be the testimony of his conscience. Light is bright, and a good prince is illustrious; his justice and piety will be his honour. Light is a blessing, nor are there any greater and more extensive blessings to the public than princes that rule in the fear of God. As the light of the morning, which is most welcome after the darkness of the night (so was David's government after Saul's, Ps. 75:3), which is increasing, shines more and more to the perfect day, such is the growing lustre of a good government. It is likewise compared to the tender grass, which the earth produces for the service of man; it brings with it a harvest of blessings. See Ps. 72:6, 16, which were also some of the last words of David, and seem to refer to those recorded here. [2.] With application to Christ, the Son of David, and then it must all be taken as a prophecy, and the original will bear it: There shall be a rule among men, or over men, that shall be just, and shall rule in the fear of God, that is, shall order the affairs of religion and divine worship according to his Father's will; and he shall be as the light to the morning, etc., for he is the light of the world, and as the tender grass, for he is the branch of the Lord, and the fruit of the earth, Isa. 11:1-5; 32:1, 2; Ps. 72:2. God, by the Spirit, gave David the foresight of this, to comfort him under the many calamities of his family and the melancholy prospects he had of the degeneracy of his seed.
2. What comfortable use he made of this which God spoke to him, and what were his devout meditations on it, by way of reply, v. 5. It is not unlike his meditation on occasion of such a message, 2 Sa. 7:18, etc. That which goes before the Rock of Israel spoke to him; this the Spirit of God spoke by him, and it is a most excellent confession of his faith and hope in the everlasting covenant. Here is,
(1.) Trouble supposed: Although my house be not so with God, and although he make it not to grow. David's family was not so with God as is described (v. 3, 4), and as he could wish, not so good, not so happy; it had not been so while he lived; he foresaw it would not be so when he was gone, that his house would be neither so pious nor so prosperous as one might have expected the offspring of such a father to be. [1.] Not so with God. Note, We and ours are that really which we are with God. This was what David's heart was upon concerning his children, that they might be right with God, faithful to him and zealous for him. But the children of godly parents are often neither so holy nor so happy as might be expected. We must be made to know that it is corruption, not grace, that runs in the blood, that the race is not to the swift, but that God gives his Spirit as a free-agent. [2.] Not made to grow, in number, in power; it is God that makes families to grow or not to grow, Ps. 107:41. Good men have often the melancholy prospect of a declining family. David's house was typical of the church of Christ, which is his house, Heb. 3:3. Suppose this be not so with God as we could wish, suppose it be diminished, distressed, disgraced, and weakened, by errors and corruptions, yea, almost extinct, yet God has made a covenant with the church's head, the Son of David, that he will preserve to him a seed, that the gates of hell shall never prevail against his house. This our Saviour comforted himself with in his sufferings, that the covenant with him stood firm, Isa. 53:10-12. (2.) Comfort ensured: Yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant. Whatever trouble a child of God may have the prospect of, still he has some comfort or other to balance it with (2 Co. 4:8, 9), and there is none like this of the Psalmist, which may be understood, [1.] Of the covenant of royalty (in the type) which God made with David and his seed, touching the kingdom, Ps. 132:11, 12. But, [2.] It must look further, to the covenant of grace made with all believers, that God will be, in Christ, to them a God, which was signified by the covenant of royalty, and therefore the promises of the covenant are called the sure mercies of David, Isa. 55:3. It is this only that is the everlasting covenant, and it cannot be imagined that David, who, in so many of his psalms, speaks so clearly concerning Christ and the grace of the gospel, should forget it in his last words. God has made a covenant of grace with us in Jesus Christ, and we are here told, First, That it is an everlasting covenant, from everlasting in the contrivance and counsel of it, and to everlasting in the continuance and consequences of it. Secondly, That it is ordered, well ordered in all things, admirably well, to advance the glory of God and the honour of the Mediator, together with the holiness and comfort of believers. It is herein well ordered, that whatever is required in the covenant is promised, and that every transgression in the covenant does not throw us out of covenant, and that it puts our salvation, not in our own keeping, but in the keeping of a Mediator. Thirdly, That it is sure, and therefore sure because well ordered; the general offer of it is sure; the promised mercies are sure on the performance of the conditions. The particular application of it to true believers is sure; it is sure to all the seed. Fourthly, That it is all our salvation. Nothing but this will save us, and this is sufficient: it is this only upon which our salvation depends. Fifthly, That therefore it must be all our desire. Let me have an interest in this covenant and the promises of it, and I have enough, I desire no more.
3. Here is the doom of the sons of Belial read, v. 6, 7. (1.) They shall be thrust away as thorns—rejected, abandoned. They are like thorns, not to be touched with hands, so passionate and furious that they cannot be managed or dealt with by a wise and faithful reproof, but must be restrained by law and the sword of justice (Ps. 32:9); and therefore, like thorns, (2.) They shall, at length, be utterly burnt with fire in the same place, Heb. 6:8. Now this is intended, [1.] As a direction to magistrates to use their power for the punishing and suppressing of wickedness. Let them thrust away the sons of Belial; see Ps. 101:8. Or, [2.] As a caution to magistrates, and particularly to David's sons and successors, to see that they be not themselves sons of Belial (as too many of them were), for then neither the dignity of their place nor their relation to David would secure them from being thrust away by the righteous judgments of God. Though men could not deal with them, God would. Or, [3.] As a prediction of the ruin of all the implacable enemies of Christ's kingdom. There are enemies without, that openly oppose it and fight against it, and enemies within, that secretly betray it and are false to it; both are sons of Belial, children of the wicked one, of the serpent's seed; both are as thorns, grievous and vexago through them (Isa. 27:4), and will, in due time, bless his church with such peace that there shall be no pricking brier nor grieving thorn. And those that will not repent, to give glory to God, shall, in the judgment-day (to which the Chaldee paraphrast refers this), be burnt with unquenchable fire. See Lu. 19:27.
Verses 8-39
I. The catalogue which the historian has here left upon record of the great soldiers that were in David's time is intended, 1. For the honour of David, who trained them up in the arts of exercises of war, and set them an example of conduct and courage. It is the reputation as well as the advantage of a prince to be attended and served by such brave men as are here described. 2. For the honour of those worthies themselves, who were instrumental to bring David to the crown, settle and protect him in the throne, and enlarge his conquests. Note, Those that in public stations venture themselves, and lay out themselves, to serve the interests of their country, are worthy of double honour, both to be respected by those of their own age and to be remembered by posterity. 3. To excite those that come after to a generous emulation. 4. To show how much religion contributes to the inspiring of men with true courage. David, both by his psalms and by his offerings for the service of the temple, greatly promoted piety among the grandees of the kingdom (1 Chr. 29:6), and, when they became famous for piety, they became famous for bravery.
II. Now these mighty men are here divided into three ranks:—
1. The first three, who had done the greatest exploits and thereby gained the greatest reputation—Adino (v. 8), Eleazar (v. 9, 10), and Shammah, v. 11, 12. I do not remember that we read of any of these, or of their actions, any where in all the story of David but here and in the parallel place, 1 Chr. 11. Many great and remarkable events are passed by in the annals, which relate rather the blemishes than the glories of David's reign, especially after his sin in the matter Uriah; so that we may conclude his reign to have been really more illustrious than it has appeared to us while reading the records of it. The exploits of this brave triumvirate are here recorded. They signalized themselves in the wars of Israel against their enemies, especially the Philistines. (1.) Adino slew 800 at once with his spear. (2.) Eleazar defied the Philistines, as they by Goliath, had defied Israel, but with better success and greater bravery; for when the men of Israel had gone away, he not only kept his ground, but arose, and smote the Philistines, on whom God struck a terror equal to the courage with which this great hero was inspired. His hand was weary, and yet it clave to his sword; as long as he had any strength remaining he held his weapon and followed his blow. Thus, in the service of God, we should keep up the willingness and resolution of the spirit, notwithstanding the weakness and weariness of the flesh—faint, yet pursuing (Jdg. 8:4), the hand weary, yet not quitting the sword. Now that Eleazar had beaten the enemy, the men of Israel, who had gone away from the battle (v. 9), returned to spoil, v. 10. It is common for those who quit the field, when any thing is to be done to hasten to it when any thing is to be gotten. (3.) Shammah met with a party of the enemy, that were foraging, and routed them, v. 11, 12. But observe, both concerning this exploit and the former, it is here said, The Lord wrought a great victory. Note, How great soever the bravery of the instruments is, the praise of the achievement must be given to God. These fought the battles, but God wrought the victory. Let not the strong man then glory in his strength, nor in any of his military operations, but let him that glories glory in the Lord.
2. The next three were distinguished from, and dignified above, the thirty, but attained not to the first three, v. 23. All great men are not of the same size. Many a bright and benign star there is which is not of the first magnitude, and many a good ship not of the first rate. Of this second triumvirate two only are named, Abishai and Benaiah, whom we have often met with in the story of David, and who seem to have been not inferior in serviceableness, though they were in dignity, to the first three. Here is,
(1.) A brave action of these three in conjunction. They attended David in his troubles, when he absconded, in the cave of Adullam (v. 13), suffered with him, and therefore were afterwards preferred by him. When David and his brave men who attended him, who had acted so vigorously against the Philistines, were, by the iniquity of the times, in Saul's reign, driven to shelter themselves from his rage in caves and strong holds, no marvel that the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim, and put a garrison even in Bethlehem itself, v. 13, 14. If the church's guides are so misled as to persecute some of her best friends and champions, the common enemy will, no doubt, get advantage by it. If David had had his liberty, Bethlehem would not have been now in the Philistines' hands. But, being so, we are here told, [1.] How earnestly David longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem. Some make it a public-spirited wish, and that he meant, "O that we could drive the garrison of the Philistines out of Bethlehem, and make that beloved city of mine our own again!" the well being put for the city, as the river often signifies the country it passes through. But if he meant so, those about him did not understand him; therefore it seems rather to be an instance of his weakness. It was harvest-time; the weather was hot; he was thirsty; perhaps good water was scarce, and therefore he earnestly wished, "O that I could but have one draught of the water of the well of Bethlehem!" With the water of that well he had often refreshed himself when he was a youth, and nothing now will serve him but that, though it is almost impossible to come at it. He strangely indulged a humour which he could give no reason for. Other water might quench his thirst as well, but he had a fancy for that above any. It is folly to entertain such fancies and greater folly to insist upon the gratification of them. We ought to check our appetites when they go out inordinately towards those things that really are more pleasant and grateful than other things (Be not desirous of dainties), much more when they are thus set upon such things as only please a humour. [2.] How bravely his three mighty men, Abishai, Benaiah, and another not named, ventured through the camp of the Philistines, upon the very mouth of danger, and fetched water from the well of Bethlehem, without David's knowledge, v. 16. When he wished for it he was far from desiring that any of his men should venture their lives for it; but those three did, to show, First, How much they valued their prince, and with what pleasure they could run the greatest hardships in his service. David, though anointed king, was as yet an exile, a poor prince that had no external advantages to recommend him to the affection and esteem of his attendants, nor was he in any capacity to prefer or reward them; yet those three were thus zealous for his satisfaction, firmly believing the time of recompence would come. Let us be willing to venture in the cause of Christ, even when it is a suffering cause, as those who are assured that it will prevail and that we shall not lose by it at last. Were they so forward to expose themselves upon the least hint of their prince's mind and so ambitious to please him? And shall not we covet to approve ourselves to our Lord Jesus by a ready compliance with every intimation of his will given us by his word, Spirit and providence? Secondly, How little they feared the Philistines. They were glad of an occasion to defy them. Whether they broke through the host clandestinely, and with such art that the Philistines did not discover them, or openly, and with such terror in their looks that the Philistines durst not oppose them, is not certain; it should seem, they forced their way, sword in hand. But see, [3.] How self-denyingly David, when he had this far-fetched dear-bought water, poured it out before the Lord, v. 17. First, Thus he would show the tender regard he had to the lives of his soldiers, and how far he was from being prodigal of their blood, Ps. 72:14. In God's sight the death of his saints is precious. Secondly, Thus he would testify his sorrow for speaking that foolish word which occasioned those men to put their lives in their hands. Great men should take heed what they say, lest any bad use be made of it by those about them. Thirdly, Thus he would prevent the like rashness in any of his men for the future. Fourthly, Thus he would cross his own foolish fancy, and punish himself for entertaining and indulging it, and show that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones, and knew how to deny himself even in that which he was most fond of. Such generous mortifications become the wise, the great, and the good. Fifthly, Thus he would honour God and give glory to him. The water purchased at this rate he thought too precious for his own drinking and fit only to be poured out to God as a drink-offering. If it was the blood of these men, it was God's due, for the blood was always his. Sixthly, Bishop Patrick speaks of some who think that David hereby showed that it was not material water he longed for, but the Messiah, who had the water of life, who, he knew, should be born at Bethlehem, which the Philistines therefore should not be able to destroy. Seventhly, Did David look upon that water as very precious which was got at the hazard of these men's blood, and shall not we much more value those benefits for the purchasing of which our blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let us not undervalue the blood of the covenant, as those do that undervalue the blessings of the covenant.
(2.) The brave actions of two of them on other occasions. Abishai slew 300 men at once, v. 18, 19. Benaiah did many great things. [1.] He slew two Moabites that were lion-like men, so bold and strong, so fierce and furious. [2.] He slew an Egyptian, on what occasion it is not said; he was well armed but Benaiah attacked him with no other weapon than a walking staff, dexterously wrested his spear out of his hand, and slew him with it, v. 21. For these and similar exploits David preferred him to be captain of the life-guard or standing forces, v. 23.
3. Inferior to the second three, but of great note, were the thirty-one here mentioned by name, v. 24, etc. Asahel is the first, who was slain by Abner in the beginning of David's reign, but lost not his place in this catalogue. Elhanan is the next, brother to Eleazar, one of the first three, v. 9. The surnames here given them are taken, as it should seem, from the places of their birth or habitation, as many surnames with us originally were. From all parts of the nation, the most wise and valiant were picked up to serve the king. Several of those who are named we find captains of the twelve courses which David appointed, one for each month in the year, 1 Chr. 27. Those that did worthily were preferred according to their merits. One of them was the son of Ahithophel (v. 34), the son famous in the camp as the father at the council-board. But to find Uriah the Hittite bringing up the rear of these worthies, as it revives the remembrance of David's sin, so it aggravates it, that a man who deserved so well of his king and country should be so ill treated. Joab is not mentioned among all these, either, (1.) to be mentioned; the first, of the first three sat chief among the captains, but Joab was over them as general. Or, (2.) Because he was so bad that he did not deserve to be mentioned; for though he was confessedly a great soldier, and one that had so much religion in him as to dedicate of his spoils to the house of God (1 Chr. 26:28), yet he lost as much honour by slaying two of David's friends as ever he got by slaying his enemies.
Christ, the Son of David, has his worthies too, who like David's, are influenced by his example, fight his battles against the spiritual enemies of his kingdom, and in his strength are more than conquerors. Christ's apostles were his immediate attendants, did and suffered great things for him, and at length came to reign with him. They are mentioned with honour in the New Testament, as these in the Old, especially, Rev. 21:14. Nay, all the good soldiers of Jesus Christ have their names better preserved than even these worthies have; for they are written in heaven. This honour have all his saints.