Keraia
2 Samuel 21

2 Samuel 21:17

Four Battles against the Philistines · 2 Samuel 21:15–22
Read 2 Samuel 21

Translations

Modern
But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”
Traditional
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
Literal
And Abishai son of Zeruiah came to aid him and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”
Latin
Præsidioque ei fuit Abisai filius Sarviæ, et percussum Philisthæum interfecit. Tunc juraverunt viri David, dicentes: Jam non egredieris nobiscum in bellum, ne extinguas lucernam Israël.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”

Notes

2 Samuel 21:17

  • Abishai was a skilled warrior and very loyal to David, whom he bravely saved (see “Abishai” Profile).

  • the lamp of Israel: Compare 2 Samuel 18:3. Both passages show the deep admiration David’s men had for him.

2 Samuel 21:15–22

The longer account of battles with the Philistines highlights important victories by David’s mighty warriors. A similar list of their deeds appears later in the chapter (see also 2 Samuel 23:8–39).

2 Samuel 21:1–24:25

The final chapters of 2 Samuel form a coda (a concluding section). This section brings together and summarizes the main themes from earlier chapters.

These chapters are thematic, not chronological (arranged by topic, not by time). Because of this, not all the events happened at the end of David’s reign (for example, 2 Samuel 22:1).

The material is arranged using a common Hebrew literary pattern called a chiasm (a mirror-like structure). In a chiasm, the first and last sections match, and the middle section is the focus.

The structure of this chiasm is as follows:

A chiasm draws attention to the center section. Here, the center is David’s hymns. These hymns do not focus on David himself. Instead, they focus on David’s God.

Theme notes and profiles

Abishai David The Philistines

Events

Parallels

1 Chronicles 20:4–8

People

Abishai: David's nephew, one of his mighty men and commanders David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Zeruiah: Sister of David; mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Abishai Avenger of Blood Giants Philistia, Philistines Rephaim Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Abishai: Saves David from Being Slain by a Philistine Armies: March in Ranks: Champions Fight Instead of Championship: Representatives of the Philistines Land David's Armies Citizens: Loyal: Israelites David: King of Israel: Defeats the Philistines Giants, Rephaim: The: The Last of, Destroyed by David and his Warriors Goliath: His Sons Lamps of Wise Rulers Light: Wise Rulers Loyalty: Israelites The Philistines: David: Often Defeated in the Course of his Reign