Bible Strands
2 Samuel 23:24
Now these were members of the Thirty: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David’s scribe records a military roster, listing specific names to identify members of the Thirty. The passage follows a note about one warrior’s high honor and continues with another name in the same roll.
The words — The Hebrew 'a.sah- 'el (Asahel) and yo.'Av (Joab) identify the first named warrior as Joab’s brother. ba./she.lo.Shim (among the thirty) and 'el.cha.Nan (Elhanan) introduce the next figure as a Bethlehemite from the house of Dodo.
The thread — This roster parallels the list in 1 Chronicles 11:26 and connects to 2 Samuel 2:18, which identifies Asahel as a son of Zeruiah. It also links to 1 Chronicles 27:7, which notes his military leadership for the fourth month.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of named individuals within David’s military structure rather than abstract heroism. It requires the reader to track genealogical and tribal affiliations to understand the composition of the king’s guard.
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
Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth–lehem,
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
- 1 Chronicles 27:7 The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division.
- 1 Chronicles 11:26 Now these were the mighty men: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,