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2 Samuel 23:13

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 23:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
2 Samuel 23:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword; and Jehovah wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.
11And after him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines.
12But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and Jehovah wrought a great victory.
13And three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
14And David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem.
15And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!
16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto Jehovah.
← 2 Samuel 23:122 Samuel 23:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And three of the thirty chiefs went down, etc.] Or three that were chief of the thirty, superior to them; which some understand of the three before mentioned, so Josephus f388; and that having related some particular exploits of theirs, here observes one, in which they were all concerned; and others think the three next are meant, of whom Abishai was the chief, Benaiah the next, and the third Asahel; but the first sense is best: and came to David in the harvest time, unto the cave of Adullam; not when he was there, upon his flight from Saul, (<092201>1 Samuel 22:1); but after he was king, when engaged in war with the Philistines; perhaps wheat harvest is here meant: and the troop of the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The feat at Bethlehem by three of the thirty was the occasion of their being formed into a distinct triad; Abishai 2 Samuel 23:18, Benaiah 2 Samuel 23:20, and a third not named, were probably the three. In the harvest time - An error for “to the rock” (compare the marginal reference). The troop of the Philistines - The word rendered “troop” occurs in this sense only here (and, according to some, in 2 Samuel 23:11), and perhaps in Psalms 68:11. In 1 Chronicles 11:0, as in 2 Samuel 23:16 the reading is “host” or “camp,” which may be the true reading here. Pitched - The same Hebrew word as “encamped” in 1 Chronicles 11:15. Valley of Rephaim - Or Giants. See 2 Samuel 21:16 note. return to 'Top…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:13 The cave of Adullam was a place of refuge for David from Saul (see 1 Sam 22:1). • The valley of Rephaim was located between Bethlehem and Jerusalem (see 2 Sam 5:17-25).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“three: etc. or, the three captains over the thirty, Ch1 11:15-19 Shalishim, "captains," should most probably be read, instead of shaloshim̀ thirty shalishim, as it is in Sa2 23:8, and Exo 14:7; where LXX render τριστατας, which Jerome (on Ezek. 33) says "among the Greeks is the name of the second rank after the royal dignity." the cave: Jos 12:15, Jos 15:35; Sa1 22:1; Mic 1:15 the valley: Sa2 5:18, Sa2 5:22; Ch1 11:15, Ch1 14:9; Isa 17:5 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 23:14”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification