Bible Strands
2 Samuel 23:19
Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records David’s assessment of his military leadership immediately after listing Abishai’s exploits. The passage situates this observation within a catalog of David’s warriors, contrasting one man’s elevated status with the formal group designated as the Three.
The words — The Hebrew נִכְבַּד (nikh-bad) means “was honored” or “became heavy,” and לְשַׂר (le-sar) translates to “into a commander.” These terms establish a functional distinction between formal roster membership and actual authority.
The thread — The supplied notes connect this verse to Matthew 13:8 and Matthew 13:23 regarding productive yield, while 2 Samuel 23:9 introduces Eleazar as another member of the same warrior group. The narrative thread continues directly into 2 Samuel 23:20, which introduces Benaiah as another elite combatant.
Why it lands — The text states that one man held greater honor and command than the Three despite lacking formal inclusion. A reader must acknowledge that official designations do not always dictate actual authority or recognized status.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
Cross-references
- Matthew 13:8 Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.
- Matthew 13:23 But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”
- 2 Samuel 23:9 Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated,
- 2 Samuel 23:13 At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
- 2 Samuel 23:16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,
- 1 Chronicles 11:25 He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.
- 1 Corinthians 15:41 The sun has one degree of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.