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2 Samuel 23:14

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 23:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem.
2 Samuel 23:14 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
17And he said, Be it far from me, O Jehovah, that I should do this: [shall I drink] the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.
← 2 Samuel 23:132 Samuel 23:15 →
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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 David [was] then in an hold, etc.] In a strong hold; the strong hold of Zion, as Josephus f389, or one on a rock near the cave of Adullam, (see <131115>1 Chronicles 11:15); and the garrison of the Philistines [was] then [in] Bethlehem; which was about six miles from Jerusalem; the valley of Rephaim lay between that and Bethlehem; so far had they got into the land of Judea, and such footing in it, as to have a garrison so near its metropolis.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In an hold - In “the hold” 1 Chronicles 11:16 close to the cave of Adullam (marginal reference note). It shows the power and daring of the Philistines that they should hold a post so far in the country as Bethlehem. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“an hold: Sa1 22:1, Sa1 22:4, Sa1 22:5, Sa1 24:22; Ch1 12:16 garrison: Sa1 10:5, Sa1 13:4, Sa1 13:23, Sa1 14:1, Sa1 14:6 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 23:15”
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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