2 Samuel 23:34

Translations

Modern

Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Traditional

Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Literal

Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maachathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Latin

Eliphelet filius Aasbai filii Machati, Eliam filius Achitophel Gelonites,

Original

Hebrew

English

Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

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

Bathsheba David

Events

Reign of David

Related verses

2 Samuel 11:3
So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”
2 Samuel 15:12
While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.
2 Samuel 15:31
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
2 Samuel 10:6
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.
1 Chronicles 27:33–34
Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
2 Samuel 17:23
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
2 Samuel 10:8
The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

Parallels

1 Chronicles 11:10–47

People

Ahasbai: Father of Eliphelet, one of David's mighty men Ahithophel: David's counselor who joined Absalom's rebellion, later committed suicide Eliam: Son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, one of David's mighty men Eliphelet: Son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, one of David's mighty men

Places

Giloh: A city in Judah; home of Ahithophel, David's counselor Maacah: A region near Geshur

Glossary

Ahasbai Ahijah Bathsheba Eliam Eliphal Eliphelet Genealogy Gilo, Giloh, Gilonite Maacathite, Maachathi, Maachathite Mecherathite Pelonite Samuel, Books of First and Second Ur (Person)

Topics

Ahasbai: Father of Eliphelet Ahijah: One of David's Heroes: Also Called Eliam Armies: March in Ranks: A Promotion Eliam: One of David's Valiant Men Eliphelet: A Distinguished Warrior

2 Samuel 23:34

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