Bible Strands
2 Samuel 23:34
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The biblical author lists individuals as part of a roster of David’s elite warriors near the conclusion of the king’s reign.
The words — אֲחִיתֹפֶל ('a.chi.To.fel) renders Ahithophel, and הַ/מַּֽעֲכָתִ֑י ha./ma.'a.kha.Ti denotes the Maacathite, a geographic or ethnic identifier.
The thread — The roster connects to 2 Samuel 11:3, where Eliam appears as Bathsheba’s father, and 2 Samuel 15:12, which identifies Ahithophel as David’s former counselor.
Why it lands — The text records specific names and lineages within a military list, requiring the reader to track the historical and familial ties of David’s inner circle.
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
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 11:3 So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”
- 2 Samuel 15:12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.
- 2 Samuel 10:6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.
- 2 Samuel 10:8 The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
- 2 Samuel 17:23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
- 1 Chronicles 27:33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.