Chapter 23

1Now these [be] the {a} last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man [who was] raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
(a) Which he spoke after he had written the psalms.

2The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my {b} tongue.
(b) Meaning, he spoke nothing but by the motion of God's Spirit.

4And [he shall be] as the light of the morning, [when] the sun riseth, [even] a morning without clouds; [as] the tender {c} grass [springing] out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
(c) Which grows quickly, and fades soon.

5Although my house [be] not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all [things], and sure: for [this is] all my salvation, and all [my] desire, although he make [it] not to {d} grow.
(d) But that my kingdom may continue for ever according to his promise.

8These [be] the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the {e} 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.
(e) As one of the king's counsel.

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 {f} gone away:
(f) Meaning, fled from the battle.

10He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his {g} hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
(g) By a cramp which came from weariness and fighting.

12But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a {h} great victory.
(h) Which has no respect for many or few, when he will show his power.

15And David {i} longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which [is] by the gate!
(i) Being overcome with weariness and thirst.

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 {k} poured it out unto the LORD.
(k) Bridling his affection, and also desiring God not to be offended for that rash enterprise.

21And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a {l} 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.
(l) Which was as big as a weavers beam, 1Ch 11:23.

23He was more honourable than the {m} thirty, but he attained not to the [first] three. And David set him over his guard.
(m) He was more valiant than the thirty that follow and not so valiant as the six before.

27Abiezer the Anethothite, {n} Mebunnai the Hushathite,
(n) Some of these had two names, 1Ch 11:29 and also many more are mentioned there.

39Uriah the Hittite: {o} thirty and seven in all.
(o) These came to David, and helped restore him to his kingdom.

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