2 Samuel 23:31

Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) Abi-albon.—In 1Chronicles 11:32 written Abiel, probably correctly, the albon having come in from Sha-albon-ite in the line below.

The Barhumite.—More correctly, the Baharumite, i.e., of the Bahurim mentioned in 2Samuel 3:16; 2Samuel 19:16.

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

Abialbon the Arbathite,.... A native of Betharabah, either in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:6, or in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:18; he is called Abiel in 1 Chronicles 11:32,

Azmaveth the Barhumite; or Bachurimite, the letters transposed, an inhabitant of Bachurim or Bahurim, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, 2 Samuel 16:5.

Geneva Study Bible

Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

31. Abi-albon the Arbathite] Called in 1 Chronicles 11:32 Abiel, which is probably the true reading, as Abi-albon is an unknown name, and may easily have arisen from confusion with Shaalbonite in the line below. For a similar confusion cp. ch. 2 Samuel 21:19. He was a native of Arabah or Beth-arabah, a town in the wilderness of Judah, on the border between Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:6; Joshua 15:61; Joshua 18:18; Joshua 18:22).

the Barhumite] Of Bahurim: see note on ch. 2 Samuel 3:16 : a corruption or transposition for Baharumite, which is found in 1 Chronicles 11:33.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 31. - Abi-albon. He is called Abiel in 1 Chronicles 11:32. He belonged to the town of Beth-Arabah (Joshua 15:61; Joshua 18:22), called also Arabah (Joshua 18:18), in the wilderness of Judah. Azmaveth the Barhumite. He was of Bahurim, for which see note on 2 Samuel 3:16. 2 Samuel 23:31

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Abi-Albon (written incorrectly Abiel in the Chronicles) the Arbathite, i.e., from the place called Beth-haarabah or Arabah (Joshua 15:61 and Joshua 18:18, Joshua 18:22) in the desert of Judah, on the site of the present Kasr Hajla (see at Joshua 15:6). Azmaveth of Bahurim: see at 2 Samuel 16:5.