2 Samuel 23:28

Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(28) Zalmon.—In Chronicles Ilai.

Maharai.—He commanded the tenth division of the army (1Chronicles 27:13).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

23:8-39 David once earnestly longed for the water at the well of Bethlehem. It seems to be an instance of weakness. He was thirsty; with the water of that well he had often refreshed himself when a youth, and it was without due thought that he desired it. Were his valiant men so forward to expose themselves, upon the least hint of their prince's mind, and so eager to please him, and shall not we long to approve ourselves to our Lord Jesus, by ready compliance with his will, as shown us by his word, Spirit, and providence? But David poured out the water as a drink-offering to the Lord. Thus he would cross his own foolish fancy, and punish himself for indulging it, and show that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones, and knew how to deny himself. Did David look upon that water as very precious which was got at the hazard of these men's blood, and shall not we much more value those benefits for purchasing which our blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let all beware of neglecting so great salvation.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

etc. The early death of Asahel 2 Samuel 2:32 would make it very likely that his place in the 30 would be filled up, and so easily account for the number 31 in the list. Compare throughout the list in 1 Chronicles 11.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19-39. the first three—The mighty men or champions in David's military staff were divided into three classes—the highest, Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah; the second class, Abishai, Benaiah, and Asahel; and the third class, the thirty, of which Asahel was the chief. There are thirty-one mentioned in the list, including Asahel; and these added to the two superior orders make thirty-seven. Two of them, we know, were already dead; namely, Asahel [2Sa 3:30] and Uriah [2Sa 11:17]; and if the dead, at the drawing up of the list, amounted to seven, then we might suppose a legion of honor, consisting of the definite number thirty, where the vacancies, when they occurred, were replaced by fresh appointments.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Zalmon the Ahohite,.... The same with Ilai, 1 Chronicles 11:29; a descendant of Ahoah, a grandson of Benjamin, 1 Chronicles 8:4,

Maharai the Netophathite, who was of Netophah, a city of the tribe of Judah, mentioned along with Bethlehem, Nehemiah 7:26; a place of this name is spoken of in the Misnah (o), famous for artichokes and olives.

(o) Misn. Peah, c. 7. sect. 1. Sheviith, c. 9. sect. 5.

Geneva Study Bible

Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

28. Zalmon the Ahohite] Chron. has Ilai. Whether the difference is original, or due to corruption of the text, it is impossible to decide. On Ahohite see 2 Samuel 23:9.

Maharai the Netophathite] Of Netophah, perhaps the modern Umm Toba, three miles N.E. of Beth-lehem, a place inhabited by Levites (1 Chronicles 9:16), and mentioned in the accounts of the Return from the Captivity (Ezra 2:22; Nehemiah 7:26). Maharai commanded the tenth division of the army, and, like Sibbechai, was a Zarhite.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 28. - Zalmon. He is called Ilai in 1 Chronicles 11:29. Ahohite (see note on ver. 9). Maharai the Netophathite. Netophah, in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem (Ezra 2:22), was chiefly inhabited, after the exile, by the singers (Nehemiah 12:28). Robinson identifies it with Beit-Netif, to the south of Jerusalem; but probably erroneously, as Beit-Netif is too far from Bethlehem. Maharai was commander of the tenth brigade, and was a Zarhite, and therefore belonged to the tribe of Judah. 2 Samuel 23:28

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Zalmon the Ahohite, i.e., sprung from the Benjaminite family of Ahoah, is not further known. Instead of Zalmon we find Ilai in the Chronicles (2 Samuel 23:29); but which of the two names is the correct one it is impossible to decide. Maharai of Netophah: according to Ezra 2:22 and Nehemiah 7:26, Netophah was a place in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem, but it has not yet been discovered, as Beit Nattif, which might be thought of, is too far from Bethlehem (vid., Rob. Pal. ii. p. 344, and Tobler, Dritte Wanderung, pp. 117-8). According to 1 Chronicles 27:13, Maharai belonged to the Judahite family of Serah, and was chief of the tenth division of the army.