(1) The special characters of the military officers of David v.8-23
1. They killed the enemies in vast numbers v.8, 18
2. When others retreated they stood their ground and fought v.9-10, v.11-12.
Interestingly, in both instances, when these warriors continued fought, the LORD gave the victory to them v.10b and v.12.
v.9b When the men of Israel retreated, 23:10 he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand grew so tired that it seemed stuck to his sword. The LORD gave a great victory on that day.3. They fulfilled the wish of their leader without his command v.13-18. In the last moment of David's life, when he looked back, this became a very important event in his memory.
23:15 David was thirsty and said, “How I wish someone would give me some water to drink from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate!” 23:16 So the three elite warriors broke through the Philistine forces and drew some water from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate. They carried it back to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it out as a drink offering to the LORD
(NAC) The gift of water acquired at such great peril represented something so precious that David considered himself unworthy to drink it. In fact, because of “the risk” (v. 17) that the Three took, the Bethlehem waters symbolized “the blood of men who” had literally faced death. Accordingly, David “poured it out before the LORD,” giving it there in the cave as an offering to the Lord.
4. In v.24-30, among David's 30 warriors, 3 of them- “Igal son of Nathan from Zobah” (v. 36), “Zelek the Ammonite” (v. 37), and “Uriah the Hittite” (v. 39) apparently were foreigners... If David founded the Thirty during his fugitive period, then it is possible that some of these individuals—perhaps the foreigners—were runaway slaves or debtors (cf. 1 Sam 22:2).(NAC).
(NAC) What is the practical value of having this list in Scripture? It demonstrates David’s willingness to reward those under his command when they performed their tasks with excellence. Thus it reflects David’s great skill in relationships and suggests a model to be emulated by godly leaders of all generations.
Reflections: David gave the credit of his success to many mighty warriors who fought for him. But, at the same time, David realized that it was the LORD who gave them the victories. Also, we saw that David remembered how others had helped him. Some of them moved his heart and he could only offer what they had given him as offering before God. He could not bear to receive them. Finally, he used capable people regardless of their backgrounds.
Reflections: David gave the credit of his success to many mighty warriors who fought for him. But, at the same time, David realized that it was the LORD who gave them the victories. Also, we saw that David remembered how others had helped him. Some of them moved his heart and he could only offer what they had given him as offering before God. He could not bear to receive them. Finally, he used capable people regardless of their backgrounds.
In the last few days of this year, will you spend some time today to think of the people you want to give credit to? Who has helped you in the past? Whose helps move your heart?
Audrey
2024
v.1-7
B:
1. Structure
(EBC)
A. David speaks in the third person about himself (23:1b–e).
B. David speaks in the first person (23:2–3ab).
C. The Lord speaks (23:3cd–4).
B′. David speaks in the first person (23:5).
A′. David speaks in the third person about evil men (23:6–7).
By nestling the divine description of the ideal king in the middle of the poem, David’s “last words” give God the central—and therefore the final—word.
2. Repeated phrases:
The oracle of David.. the oracle of the man raise up...v.1
The LORD's spirit spoke through me
His word was on my tongue v.2
The God of Isr spoke
the protector of Isr spoke to me v.3ab
The following was an important message from God, not just from David. He was just the messenger. But not just a messenger, he was also the recipients of this message. Which is similar to the preacher teacher today. We study the word for ministry, but it is also for ourselves.
3. In God's word the good ruler is like this: they gave pure light v.3cd, 4ab, and they also produces grass v.4cd. In other words, they gave righteousness/justice ruling, and also bringing nutrients to the people.
3cd The one who rules fairly among men,
the one who rules in the fear of God,
4 is like the light of morning when the sun comes up,
a morning in which there are no clouds.
He is like the brightness after rain
that produces grass from the earth.
However, David did not follow the pattern in v.3c-4 to describe his own dynasty.
5 My dynasty is approved by God,
for he has made a perpetual covenant with me,
arranged in all its particulars and secured.
He always delivers me,
and brings all I desire to fruition.
Instead of describing himself as a good rulers who rules fairly and fearing God v.3b, he said God approved him by making a perpetual covenant with Him. And the effect of such was not on the people, but to David himself: He always delivers me and brings his desire to fruition.
Why? Did David hint that because he ruled fairly and feared God, God made a covenant with him? If yes, then, is the salvation and desire of David related to the righteous ruling and providing nutrient to the people?
The ending v.6-7 may shed some light on the previous section v.3b-5
v.6 But evil people (lit=worthlessness, the word "people" is added in translation) are like thorns—
all of them are tossed away,
Are they the evil rulers? They have no use in God's eyes. They are tossed away v.6 and completely burned up v.7.
Therefore, David being the ruler whom God would made a perpetual covenant was not one of the evil, worthless rulers. He was approved by God like v.5 said. He was approved as one wo ruled fairly and fear God.
R:
Do I lead people with God's standard? Do I feed my flocks and see them grow? Or I am the worthless leaders that will be tossed away and burned up completely?
Do I lead people with God's standard? Do I feed my flocks and see them grow? Or I am the worthless leaders that will be tossed away and burned up completely?
v.8-39
B:
1. The first group of 3 warriors:
"officers" ( v.8 NET) The Hebrew word is sometimes rendered as “the three,” but BDB is probably correct in taking it to refer to military officers (BDB 1026 s.v. שְׁלִישִׁי). In that case the etymological connection of this word to the Hebrew numerical adjective for “three” can be explained as originating with a designation for the third warrior in a chariot.
The head: Josheb Basshebeth 約設巴設 killed 800 men in one battle v.8;
Next in command: Eleazar以利亞撒son of Dodo. When the men of Israel retreated he stood his ground and fought the P...the LORD gave a great victory v.9-10;
Next in command: Shammah 沙瑪son of Agee the Hararite. When the army retreated before the Philistines, but he made a stand he defended it and defeated the Philistines; the LORD gave them a great victory. v.11-12
This group was referred later as the superior group of 3. 前三個勇士 v.19。 They were the head of the army or the next in command. They could either killed a large number of enemies or they fought when other retreat, even when they were tired. And, the LORD gave them victory.
They led because of their power, but also because of their resilient.
2. The second group of 3 warriors (who are among the 30 warriors) 有三十個勇士中的三個人
While D was at the cave of Adullam (SW of Bethlehem), and the P was camped in the valley of Rephaim, and the P garrison was in Bethlehem.
Instead of stating their military force, the author told a story about their loyalty. Just because D wanted the drink the water from his hometown they risked their lives to get it. David offered that as a drink offering to the LORD. v.16-17
(EBC) So loyal were David’s three “mighty men” that his wish became their command...But he refused to drink it” (v.16b), “And David would not drink it” (v.17)...such a costly commodity is appropriately used only for a sacramental act...the exploits (v.17) of the courageous warriors—whose self-denying loyalty prompted David to pour out an oblation to the Lord
Only Abishai, the head of the three, were mentioned by name v.18. 亞比篩
3. The group of 30
Benaiah 比拿雅son of Jehoiada was a brave warrior...He received honor from the thirty warriors, 他比那三十個勇士都尊貴 though he was not one of the three elite warriors. David put him in charge of his bodyguard. v.20-23.
The rest of them were listed with just their names in v.24-39, including:
Asahel the brother of Joab, and Elhanan son of Dodo v.24 who was probably the brother of the Eleazar son of Dodo v.9 (1 of the first 3 warriors).
Some of them are Benjamites v.29, and some of them are even non-Israelites v.37
The last person in the list is the most loyal to Israel-Uriah the Hittite 11:11
Q:
1/Compare and contrast David's reign with his portrayal of the just ruler.
David killed innocent Uriah to cover up his sins, and he did that by abusing the power God gave him.
2/In what sense can David speak of God's prospering all his desire?
Instead of describing himself as a good rulers who rules fairly and fearing God v.3b, he said God approved him by making a perpetual covenant with Him. And the effect of such was not on the people, but to David himself: He always delivers me and brings his desire to fruition.
Therefore, David hinted that because he ruled fairly and feared God, God made a covenant with him. The salvation and desire of David related to the righteous ruling and providing nutrient to the people.
3/To what extent do you meet your responsibilities in such a way that God can illumine and bring growth through you?
To lead people with God's standard and feed my flocks and see them grow.
4/Characterize the mighty men who have fellowshipped with David.
They could either killed a large number of enemies or they fought when other retreat, even when they were tired. And, the LORD gave them victory. They led because of their power, but also because of their resilient.
Instead of stating their military force, the author told a story about their loyalty. Just because D wanted the drink the water from his hometown they risked their lives to get it. David offered that as a drink offering to the LORD. v.16-17
5/What do you learn about David from his sense of what belongs to God?
Such sacrifice of lives should not belong to him, but to God.
6/Review David's conquests. What part have these men and Joab had?
They played important role. The first group killed the P, Joab's 2 brothers names are listed here.
Some of them are Benjamites v.29, and some of them are even non-Israelites v.37. If they had joined D before the battles with B and their own countries they men must have contributed valuable important to D.
David's success belonged to the LORD and the LORD gave him victory through these warriors.
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