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2 Samuel 23:19

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 23:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Was he not most honorable of the three? therefore he was made their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the [first] three.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Was he not most honorable of the three? therefore he was made their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the [first] three.
2 Samuel 23:19 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
18And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three.
19Was he not most honorable of the three? therefore he was made their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the [first] three.
20And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he slew the two [sons of] Ariel of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.
21And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a 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.
22These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men.
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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
“Was he not most honourable of three? etc.] He was; who, besides the exploit here mentioned, did many other things; he went down with David into Saul’s camp, and took away his spear and cruse, which were at his bolster, (<092606>1 Samuel 26:6-12); he relieved David when in danger from Ishbibenob the giant, (<102116>2 Samuel 21:16,17); he beat the Edomites, and slew eighteen thousand of them in the valley of salt, (<131812>1 Chronicles 18:12): therefore he was their captain; of the other two, or was head over them, took rank before them: howbeit he attained not unto the [first] three; for fortitude, courage, and warlike exploits, namely, to the Tachmonite, Eleazar, and Shammah.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“i. e., “Was he not the most honorable of the three of the second order, howbeit, he attained not to the three,” the triad, namely, which consisted of Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah. That two triads are mentioned is a simple fact, although only five names are given. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Attained not - He fell short of them in strength and valour. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 23:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he attained: Sa2 23:9, Sa2 23:13, Sa2 23:16; Ch1 11:25; Mat 13:8, Mat 13:23; Co1 15:41 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 23:20”
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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