23:8-39

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David’s mighty men

(2Sa 23:8-39)

From the hundreds of men who gathered around him during his flight from Saul, David had built a loyal and tough fighting unit.

This unit remained the central strength of his army throughout his long reign (see 1 Sam 22:1-2; 30:9; 2 Sam 15:18; 18:1-2; 20:7; 1 Chron 11:10).

The commander-in-chief of his army was Joab (see 2Sa 8:16, 20:23).

Next in rank below Joab were three generals, or commanders, each of whom was a courageous fighter and a national hero. These men were known simply as The Three (2Sa 23:8-12; 1 Chron 11:10-14).

After The Three came The Thirty, three of whom were especially remembered for the occasion on which they risked their lives because of their devotion to David (2Sa 23:13-17).

The leader of The Thirty was Joab’s brother Abishai. Another notable figure among The Thirty was Benaiah, commander of David’s bodyguard (2Sa 23:18-23; see note on 2Sa 8:18).

Although the group took its name from the number thirty, there are more than thirty names in the biblical lists.

This is probably because the lists include the names of those who had been killed and those who had replaced them (2Sa 23:24-39; 1 Chron 11:20-47).