2 Samuel 23:8

(8) These be the names. —Here, in the summary at the close of David’s reign, is very naturally given a list of his chief heroes. A duplicate of this list, with several variations, and with sixteen more names, is given in 1Chronicles 11:10-47 , which is useful in correcting such clerical errors as have arisen in both. The list in Chronicles is given in connection with David’s becoming king over all Israel; but in both cases the list is not to be understood as belonging precisely to any definite time, but rather as a catalogue of the chief heroes who distinguished themselves at any time in the life of David. The Tachmonite that sat in the seat.—The text of this verse has undergone several alterations, which may be corrected by the parallel passage in Chronicles. This clause should read, “Jashobeam the Hachmonite,” as in 1Chronicles 11:11. Jashobeam came to David at Ziklag (1Chronicles 12:1; 1Chronicles 12:6), and afterwards became the general of the first division of the army (1Chronicles 27:2), being immediately followed by Dodo. One of the same family was tutor to David’s sons (1Chronicles 27:32). The captains.—The word for captain and the word for three are much alike, and the text here and in Chronicles perpetually fluctuates between the two. Probably the sense here is that Jashobeam was the chief of the three who stood highest in rank among the heroes. No mention is made in either list of Joab, because, as commander-in-chief, he stood in a rank by himself.

The same was Adino the Eznite.—It is difficult to attach any meaning to these words in their connection, and they are generally considered as a corruption of the words in 1Chronicles 11:11, “he lifted up his spear,” which are required and are inserted here in the English. For “eight hundred” Chronicles has “three hundred,” as in 2Samuel 23:18. Variations in numbers are exceedingly common, but the probability is in favour of the correctness of the text here. This large number was slain by Jashobeam and the men under his command in one combat.

2 Samuel 23:8 . These be the names of the mighty men whom David had — Who helped to raise David to his dignity, and to preserve him in it, being continually with him in all his wars. There is a list of them also 1 Chronicles 11., different from this in several particulars. But Abarbinel thinks this creates no difficulty, if we do but observe that there he distinguishes them into three classes. Those that had always been with him; those that came to him at Ziklag, a little before he was made king of Judah; and those that came to him in Hebron, after he was made king of all Israel. It was proper that the memories of all these should be preserved. But here, in this book, the writer intended only to mention the most excellent of his heroes, who were always with him in his wars; and for whose sake he composed the preceding song of praise to God. Add to this, that this catalogue, though placed here, was taken long before many of the preceding events, as is manifest from hence, that Asahel and Uriah are named in it. It must be observed also, that it was very common for one person to have divers names, and that as some of the worthies died, and others arose in their stead, a great alteration must of course take place in the latter catalogue from the former. We may learn from hence, how much religion tends to inspire men with true courage. David, both by his writings and example, greatly promoted piety among the grandees of his kingdom.

And when they became famous for piety, they became famous for bravery. The Tachmonite that sat in the seat — He sat in the counsel of war, next to Joab, being, it is thought, his lieutenant-general. Chief among the captains — The principal commander after Joab. The same was Adino — This was his proper name, and he probably was of the family of the Eznites. He lifted up his spear — These words are properly supplied out of 1 Chronicles 11:11 , where they are expressed. Against eight hundred — In the above-mentioned place of 1 Chronicles it is only three hundred. Whom he slew at one time — In one battle, which, though it be strange, cannot be incredible, supposing him to be a person of extraordinary strength and activity, and his enemies to be discouraged and fleeing away.

8–12. The first Three 8 . the mighty men ] Used here in a narrower sense, not of the whole body-guard of six hundred. See note on ch. 2 Samuel 15:18 . The Tachmonite that sat in the seat ] The text is corrupt, and we must follow 1 Chronicles 11:11 in reading Jashobeam the Hachmonite. He joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chronicles 12:6 ), and was afterwards made general of the first division of the army ( 1 Chronicles 27:2 ). Jehiel, the tutor of the king’s sons, belonged to the same family ( 1 Chronicles 27:32 ). chief among the captains ] The word translated captains probably means aides-de-camp , or personal attendants on the king. See 1 Kings 9:22 (E. V. captains); 2 Kings 7:2 ; 2 Kings 7:17 ; 2 Kings 7:19 (E. V. lord), 2 Kings 9:25 , 2 Kings 10:25 , 2 Kings 15:25 . But it is possible that we should alter the text slightly, and read chief of the three (Vulg., E. V., marg. ). Cp. 2 Samuel 23:23 . In fact all through this section there is a constant confusion between the words for captain or aide-de-camp, three , and thirty , which are all closely similar in the Heb. the same was Adino the Eznite ] These words are probably a corruption of some words equivalent to those in 1 Chronicles 11:11 , which are needed to complete the sense here: he brandished his spear. The Sept. reads “Adinon the Asonæan, he drew his sword.” eight hundred ] Chr. reads three hundred , perhaps by confusion with 2 Samuel 23:18 .

There is no ground for supposing that two different occasions are referred to. slew at one time ] With the help perhaps of some of his men. Yet cp. Jdg 3:31 ; Jdg 15:15 . 8–39. David’s Heroes and their exploits = 1 Chronicles 11:11-41 This section is placed in Chronicles after the account of David’s election as King of Israel and his capture of Zion, and is prefaced by the heading: “These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who shewed themselves strong with him in his kingdom with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.” The list therefore belongs, at any rate in substance, to the earlier part of David’s reign.

Verse 8. - These be the names. A similar list is given in 1 Chronicles 11:10-47 , with several variations, and sixteen more names. It is given there in connection with David's elevation to the throne of all Israel, and the conquest of Jerusalem. Such catalogues might possibly be revised from time to time, and new names inserted as there were vacancies caused by death. And this seems to have been the case with the list in Chronicles, which contains the names of all who were admitted during David's reign into the order of the mighties. The present is the actual list of the order as it existed on the day when David, at Hebron, was anointed king over all the twelve tribes. And we can well conceive that, on so grand an occasion, David founded this, the first order of chivalry, and gave his thirty knights, as they would be now called, their special rank and high privileges. The Tachmonite. This verse is extremely corrupt. A man could not be a Tachmonite and an Eznite at the same time. In the Revised Version the corruption is confessed in the mildest terms, but there is something painfully ludicrous in giving Josheb-basshebeth as the man's name. The reading "Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite," in 1 Chronicles 11:11 , is confirmed by 1 Chronicles 12:6 , where Jashobeam is mentioned among those who joined David at Ziklag, and by 1 Chronicles 27:2 , where we find him appointed commander of the first brigade of twenty-four thousand men.

The error in the present text arose from the scribe's eye being misled by catching sight of basshebeth in the line above, it being the word translated "in the same place" in the Authorized Version. He Adino the Eznite. These unmeaning words are a corruption of the right reading preserved in Chronicles, "he lifted up his spear." The number of men whom he slew at one time is there stated as having been three hundred; but, as Abishai accomplished this feat, and yet held only inferior rank, eight hundred is probably right. And possibly it is not meant that he slew them all with his own hand, though that is quite possible. He was chief of the captains. The word for "captain," shalish , is derived from the numeral "three;" and probably it was the title of the three who formed the first rank of the mighties. But in course of time it seems to have been applied to the commanders of the body guard ( 2 Kings 10:25 ); and we find Bidcar so styled when in personal attendance upon Jehu ( 2 Kings 9:25 ); and Pekah used the opportunities afforded by this office for the murder of Pekahiah ( 2 Kings 15:25 ). It is not used of military officers generally. Those admitted to the list were evidently the outlaws . who had been with David in his wanderings and at Ziklag. They now received their reward, and became, moreover, the stay of David's throne. It is their past history which accounts for the strange composition of the list. A large number came from Judah, and especially from Bethlehem.

The duplicate of this passage is in 1 Chronicles 11 , where it is in immediate connection with David's accession to the throne of Israel, and where the mighty men are named as those by whose aid David was made king. The document belongs to the early part of David's reign. The text of 2 Samuel 23:8-9 is perhaps to be corrected by comparison with 1 Chronicles 11:11-12 . Chief among the captains - There is great doubt about the exact meaning of this phrase. (1) the title is given to two other persons, namely, to Abishai in 2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20, and to Amasa in 1 Chronicles 12:18. (2) the word translated "captain," is of uncertain meaning, and the orthography repeatedly fluctuates throughout this and the duplicate passage in 1 Chronicles 11, between "Shalish" a captain, and "Sheloshah" three. (3) if, however, the text of Chronicles be taken as the guide, then the sense of "captain" will not come into play, but the word will be a numeral throughout, either "three" or "thirty," and will describe David's band of thirty mighty men, with a certain triad or triads of heroes who were yet more illustrious than the thirty. In the verse before us, therefore, for "chief among the captains," we should render, "chief of the thirty." Eight hundred - The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles as "three hundred," as in 2 Samuel 23:18. Such variations in numerals are very frequent. Compare the numbers in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7.

Of the mighty men whom David had, i. e. of his chief and most valiant commanders. And as it was noted upon 2 Samuel 21:1 , that the things related in that chapter were done before Absalom’s and Sheba’s rebellion, though they be mentioned after them; so that opinion is confirmed by this catalogue, which, though placed here, was taken long before, as is manifest from hence, that Asahel and Uriah are named here. And whereas there are some differences between this list and that 1Ch 11 , most of them are easily reconciled by these two considerations: 1. That nothing is more common than for one person to have divers names. 2. That as some of the worthies died, and others came in their steads; so this must needs cause some alteration in the latter catalogue, 1Ch 11 , from this, which was the former. The Tachmonite , or, Hachmonite , called Jashobeam , 1 Chronicles 11:11 , from his place; or, as here, Josheb-bassebet , i. e. as we render it, that sat in the seat , i.e. was, under Joab, chief or president of the council of war, or lieutenant ( locum tenens ). The same was Adino : this was his proper name. The Eznite ; so called, either from his family, or from the place of his birth or education. He lift up his spear; which words are fitly supplied out of 1 Chronicles 11:11 , where they are expressed. Or thus, he was above eight hundred , i.e. he conquered them. So there is only an ellipsis of the verb substantive, which is most frequent.