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2 Samuel 23:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 23:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with the hand” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with the hand
2 Samuel 23:6 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God,
4[He shall be] as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, A morning without clouds, [When] the tender grass [springeth] out of the earth, Through clear shining after rain.
5Verily my house is not so with God; Yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things, and sure: For it is all my salvation, and all [my] desire, Although he maketh it not to grow.
6But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with the hand
7But the man that toucheth them Must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear: And they shall be utterly burned with fire in [their] place
8These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite, against eight hundred slain at one time.
9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an 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 gone away.
← 2 Samuel 23:52 Samuel 23:7 →
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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
“But [the sons] of Belial [shall be] all of them as thorns thrust away, etc.] Not like the tender grass that springs up, and flourishes after rain, and the sunshine upon that; but like thorns, useless, hurtful, and pernicious, and fit only for burning: this is true of wicked men in general, that cast off the yoke of the Lord, and become unprofitable, as Belial signifies; and of wicked governors in particular, who, instead of being helpful, are harmful to a commonwealth; and instead of being the joy and comfort of their subjects, and of giving pleasure to them, and making them cheerful and prosperous, give pain and trouble, and cause grief and sorrow; and are, if possible, to be thrust away,…”
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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
“But - Having in the foregoing verses described the nature, and stability of that kingdom which God had by a sure covenant settled upon him and his seed; and especially, upon the Messiah, who was to be one of his posterity; he now describes the nature and miserable condition, of all the enemies of this holy and blessed kingdom. As thorns - Which men do not use to handle, but thrust them away. And so will God thrust away from himself, and from his people, and kingdom, all those who shall either secretly or openly set themselves against it. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 23:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:6 Cp. Ps 1:4-5.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the sons: Sa2 20:1; Deu 13:13; Sa1 2:12 thorns: Gen 3:18; Sol 2:2; Isa 33:12; Eze 2:6 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 23:7”
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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