Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 23:39
Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
39. Uriah ] See on ch. 2Sa 11:3.
thirty and seven in all ] This total is obtained either ( a) by reckoning three in the first class ( 2Sa 23:8-12), two in the second ( 2Sa 23:18-23), and thirty-two in the third ( 2Sa 23:24-39), emending 2Sa 23:34 by the help of Chron. so as to contain three names: or ( b) if the text of 2Sa 23:34 is retained, by counting three in the second class, though only two are mentioned by name. Joab, as commander-in-chief, is not reckoned in the total.
In 1Ch 11:41-47 sixteen additional names are given, possibly either of those who became members of the body when its number was not rigidly limited to thirty, or of those who took the places vacated by death.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thirty and seven in all – This reckoning is correct, though only 36 names are given, the names of only two of the second triad being recorded, but 31 names are given from 2Sa 23:24 to the end, which, added to the two triads, or six, makes 37. Joab as captain of the whole host stands quite alone. In 1Ch 11:41-47; after Uriah the Hittite, there follow sixteen other names, probably the names of those who took the places of those in the former list, who died from time to time, or who were added when the number was less rigidly restricted to thirty.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 39. Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.] To these the author of 1Ch 11:41 adds Zabad son of Ahlai.
1Ch 11:42 – Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him.
1Ch 11:43 – Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
1Ch 11:44 – Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
1Ch 11:45 – Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
1Ch 11:46 – Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
1Ch 11:47 – Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
THE 4th and 5th verses 2Sa 23:4; 2Sa 23:5 are very obscure; L. De Dieu gives them a good meaning, if not the true one: –
“The perpetuity of his kingdom David amplifies by a comparison to three natural things, which are very grateful to men, but not constant and stable. For the sun arises and goes down again; the morning may be clear, but clouds afterwards arise; and the tender grass springs up, but afterwards withers. Not so, said he, is my kingdom before God; it is flourishing like all these, but perpetual, for he has made an everlasting covenant with me, though some afflictions have befallen me; and he has not made all my salvation and desire to grow.”
De Dieu repeats ke, the note of similitude, thrice; and the following is his version: –
“The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake unto me, (or concerning me:) The just man ruleth among men; he ruleth in the fear of God. And, as the sun ariseth with a shining light; as the morning is without clouds by reason of its splendour; as, from rain, the tender grass springeth out of the earth; truly so is not my house with God: because he hath made an everlasting covenant with me; disposed in all things, and well kept and preserved in that order. Although he doth not make all my deliverance and desire to grow, i.e., though some adversities happen to me and my family; yet, that always remains, which, in the covenant of God made with me, is in all things orderly, disposed, and preserved.”
See Bishop Patrick on the place.
Once more I must beg the reader to refer to the First Dissertation of Dr. Kennicott, on the present state of the printed Hebrew text; in which there is not only great light cast on this subject, several corruptions in the Hebrew text being demonstrated, but also many valuable criticisms on different texts in the sacred writings. There are two Dissertations, 2 vols. 8vo.; and both very valuable.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Here are but thirty-six named; either therefore one must be supplied whose name is not expressed among the three second worthies, or Joab is comprehended in the number, as being the lord-general of all.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Uriah the Hittite,…. The husband of Bathsheba; of whom
[See comments on 2Sa 11:3];
thirty and seven all; reckoning the three mighty men of the first class, the three of the second, and the third class consisting of thirty men, whose names are as above, and Joab the general and head of them all. In 1Ch 11:41, Zabad the son of Ahlai follows Uriah as one of this catalogue; he succeeding in honour one that soon died, particularly Elika, 2Sa 23:25, who is omitted in Chronicles, where a list of fifteen more is given, 1Ch 11:42; at the head of which stands Adina a Reubenite, “and thirty” are said to be “with him”, according to our version; but should be rendered, as by Junius and Tremellius, “but the thirty were superior to him”, that is, the above thirty; for these fifteen, though brave men, were of lesser note.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(39) Thirty and seven in all.Only thirty-six names have been given, but either the third unnamed person in the second triad of heroes is counted, or else in 2Sa. 23:34 the names of the two given in Chronicles should be substituted for the one in the text here.
In 1Ch. 11:41-47 sixteen more names are given, either of men who took the place of these heroes as they died, or simply of other heroes thought worthy of record, though hardly reckoned with this especial body.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
How sweet are the last words of dying saints. And how doubly so when they are sanctified to lead to JESUS. Reader! amidst all the trying dispensations in the life of the patriarch David; yet observe what confidence in covenant engagements can do, to give a soul comfort and holy joy. David’s troubles were so many, so grievous, and so complicated, that it is quite proverbial when we speak of the man, to speak also of his sorrows; LORD remember David and all his troubles. But oh! how enviable the trouble that is sanctified! How coveted the situation which JESUS blesses. He saw the day of CHRIST, like another Abraham, afar off; as a morning without a cloud. He comforted himself in the assurance of the covenant, which was ordered in all things and sure. And he could, and did, take all the consolation of it as the whole of his salvation, and the whole of his desire, whatever outer circumstances in his life arose to exercise his mind.
Blessed JESUS! give my soul, like David, to see thee to be the whole of the covenant; and in thee, and thy finished redemption-work, fix the whole of my desire. Let a throne of grace witness for me, that I would seek life with all its dependencies; life temporal, and life eternal; wholly as David did upon the ground of the Covenant, the everlasting Covenant, through thy blood and righteousness. In all the actions of my life, and with my dying breath, I would say as David; It is all my Salvation and all my desire. And oh! thou dear Redeemer! As all my hopes, my expectations, are from thee in thy covenant righteousness, without an atom of anything of mine to add to it; LORD give me grace to live as I hope to die, in making these my constant study and delight, my songs of rejoicing in the house of my pilgrimage. To JESUS would I daily, hourly come; in him be found. To him would I cleave. With him would I walk; venturing upon CHRIST, resting in him, and hanging upon him. And as it is said, they shall hang upon him all the glory of his Father’s house, so would I the whole of my salvation. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Uriah. Is doubly honoured, being named with his son; but Joab or Ahithophel are not named. Read. Ter. 2Sa 9:23, 2Sa 9:24.
thirty and seven in all: i.e. first three + second three + thirty-one of verses: 2Sa 23:24-39.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Uriah: 2Sa 11:3, 2Sa 11:6-27, 2Sa 12:9, 1Ki 15:5, 1Ch 11:41, Mat 1:6
thirty and seven in all: From the number of these officers being thirty-seven, it is almost self-evident that shalishim cannot denote the thirty, as rendered in 2Sa 24:13, etc., but some particular description of men, or officers; for it can scarcely be said, with propriety, that we have thirty-seven out of thirty; and besides, in the parallel place in 1Chronicles, there are sixteen added!
Reciprocal: Gen 23:3 – Heth 1Sa 26:6 – Hittite
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
23:39 Uriah the Hittite: {o} thirty and seven in all.
(o) These came to David, and helped restore him to his kingdom.