2 Samuel 23:14

Translations

Modern

At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem.

Traditional

And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth–lehem.

Literal

And David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem.

Latin

Et David erat in præsidio: porro statio Philisthinorum tunc erat in Bethlehem.

Original

Hebrew

English

At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem.

Notes

2 Samuel 23:8–39

This section lists David's top warriors by name, highlighting their notable achievements. These warriors were like "iron tools" that God used to defeat the godless (2 Samuel 23:7).
The list is divided into the Three and the Thirty. Some Hebrew scholars suggest that the Thirty could mean "Officers." If true, the Three might have originally referred to a specific military role.

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: Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 21:1–14)
- B: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 21:15–22)
  - C: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 22:1–51)
  - C′: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 23:1–7)
- B′: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 23:8–39)
A′: David’s sin involving the census and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 24:1–25)

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

David

Events

Reign of David

Related verses

1 Samuel 22:4–5
So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.
1 Samuel 10:5
After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
1 Samuel 24:22
So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
1 Samuel 13:23–14:1
And a garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass at Michmash.
1 Chronicles 12:16
Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold.
1 Samuel 22:1
So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.
1 Samuel 13:4
And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

Parallels

1 Chronicles 11:10–47

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Places

Bethlehem: City of David's birth and Jesus' birth Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Adullam, Adullamite Bethlehem Genealogy Harar, Hararite Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: A Promotion Bethlehem: A City Southwest of Jerusalem: Taken and Held by the Philistines Garrison: A Military Camp Philistines: Defeated by David

2 Samuel 23:14

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?