2 Samuel 23:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,

NIV: son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,

NASB: Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,

CSB: Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,

NLT: son of Shagee from Harar; Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;

KJV: Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,

NKJV: Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,

Second Samuel 23:24–39 (1 Chronicles 11:26–47) lists several of the men who were at one time members of David's military unit called "the thirty." First Chronicles mentions more; the book was written much later when rolls may have been more complete. All but twelve of the men were from Judah. Three were from Benjamin, two from Ephraim, and two from Manasseh. Three were Gentiles. The first mentioned is Joab and Abishai's brother, Asahel. The last is Uriah, Bathsheba's husband. The list is part of the chiasm of 2 Samuel 21—24. Saul and David both sinned against God (2 Samuel 21:1–14; 24). Even so, God protected and blessed David and Israel (2 Samuel 22:1—23:7) in large part through David's mighty men (2 Samuel 21:15–22; 23:8–39).

Second Samuel 23 has two distinct sections. David has already written a psalm honoring God for his deliverance and blessing (2 Samuel 22). Second Samuel 23:1–7 is a shorter psalm that identifies David as a prophet and compares good kings, God, and bad men. Second Samuel 23:8–39 lists many of the men God used to protect David, make him king, and keep Israel safe. The roll call is repeated, with some variations, in 1 Chronicles 11:10–47. The book of 1 and 2 Samuel ends with David's decision to count his troops; a sin that God punishes with a pestilence that kills 70,000 men (2 Samuel 24).

Second Samuel 23 gives David's last psalm and a roll call of his warriors. The psalm is part of the center of a reflection structure seen in 2 Samuel 21—24. The mirror of themes, called a "chiasm," emphasizes that God alone is responsible for David's success and safety. Second Samuel 21:15–22 and 23:8–39 list some of the warriors God used to protect David and Israel. Second Samuel 21:1–14 and 24:1–25 show that God's blessings are despite the kings' failures, not because they deserved God's favor. The book of 1 Kings begins the transfer of power from David to his son Solomon.

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 4/23/2026 5:16:48 AM