2 Samuel 21:17 kjv
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored 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.
2 Samuel 21:17 nkjv
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, 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."
2 Samuel 21:17 niv
But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, "Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished."
2 Samuel 21:17 esv
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, "You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel."
2 Samuel 21:17 nlt
But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue and killed the Philistine. Then David's men declared, "You are not going out to battle with us again! Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?"
2 Samuel 21 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 11:36 | "And to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem..." | Lamp for David's dynasty and Jerusalem. |
| 1 Kgs 15:4 | "...for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him..." | David's lamp signifies ongoing kingship. |
| 2 Kgs 8:19 | "Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever." | Divine promise of an everlasting lamp. |
| 2 Chr 21:7 | "...because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons always." | Covenant-bound, enduring Davidic line. |
| Ps 132:17 | "There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed." | Davidic Messiah and his perpetual reign. |
| Prov 13:9 | "The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked goes out." | Righteousness sustains life/light. |
| Prov 20:20 | "If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness." | Loss of lamp symbolizes ruin. |
| Job 18:5-6 | "Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out... and his lamp beside him is put out." | Lamp extinguishing implies demise. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | God's covenant with David, promising an enduring house, kingdom, and throne. | Davidic covenant assures lasting rule. |
| 1 Chr 14:2 | "And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for his people Israel's sake." | David's rule for Israel's sake. |
| Isa 9:2 | "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined." | Messianic light breaking darkness. |
| Isa 42:6 | "I will give you as a covenant to the people, a light for the nations." | Servant of the Lord as a light. |
| Isa 49:6 | "...I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | God's chosen servant, salvation light. |
| John 1:4-9 | "In him was life, and the life was the light of men... The true light, which gives light to everyone..." | Christ as the source of true life/light. |
| John 8:12 | "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" | Jesus as the ultimate Light. |
| Rev 21:23 | "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." | God and the Lamb as eternal light. |
| Phil 2:29-30 | "...he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life..." | Valuing and protecting dedicated servants. |
| Neh 2:3 | "...Why should not my face be sad, when the city... lies in ruins, and its gates are destroyed..." | Grieving potential loss of stability. |
| 1 Sam 2:35 | "And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest... And I will build him a sure house..." | God's provision for faithful leaders. |
| Ps 27:1 | "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" | God as source of light and safety. |
| 2 Sam 18:3 | "But the people said, 'You must not go out... you are worth ten thousand of us.'" | Similar concern for king's life. |
| Jer 33:17 | "For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel..." | Guarantee of Davidic lineage. |
| Matt 5:14-16 | "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." | Believers as lights, impact of absence. |
| Eph 5:8 | "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light..." | Transformed by Christ, living as light. |
| Ps 89:36 | "His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me." | Assurance of an eternal Davidic dynasty. |
| Num 27:17 | Moses praying for a successor: "...that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep which have no shepherd." | Recognizing vital leadership continuity. |
2 Samuel 21 verses
2 Samuel 21 17 Meaning
This verse recounts Abishai rescuing King David from a life-threatening encounter with a Philistine giant. Recognizing David's crucial importance and his vulnerability due to age, his loyal commanders formally pledged and bound him by an oath to no longer lead them into direct combat. David's life was deemed essential as he represented "the lamp of Israel," a profound metaphor symbolizing the nation's hope, spiritual direction, the enduring presence of God's covenant, and the continuation of the Davidic dynasty. His death in battle would have extinguished this vital light, plunging Israel into darkness and instability.
2 Samuel 21 17 Context
2 Samuel 21:17 is situated within a supplementary section (chapters 21-24) of the Book of 2 Samuel, which acts as an appendix following the main narrative of David's reign. This particular chapter details further conflicts between Israel and the Philistines, showcasing acts of bravery by David's "mighty men" against formidable Philistine giants. The events are typically placed later in David's life, implying his physical decline due to age. Prior to this verse, the text specifically mentions that David himself had become "weary" in battle and nearly fell to Ishbi-Benob, a giant. The Philistines, consistently fierce adversaries, represented an existential threat to Israel. For their king, David, God's anointed and the architect of Israel's golden age, to fall in such a manner would have been an utter catastrophe for national identity, political stability, and the very foundation of God's covenant promises. The incident underscores both the ever-present danger faced by Israel and the vital role of David as king, prompting his men to safeguard his life at all costs.
2 Samuel 21 17 Word analysis
- But Abishai the son of Zeruiah: Abishai (Hebrew: אֲבִישַׁי, ʾAvishay), David's nephew and a prominent military commander alongside his brothers Joab and Asahel (e.g., 2 Sam 10:10). His identity is critical, highlighting that a key member of David's loyal, powerful inner circle was the rescuer, not merely any soldier. His action reflects courage and steadfast loyalty to David, often bordering on aggression (cf. his counsel against Shimei in 2 Sam 16:9).
- came to his aid: This indicates David's extreme distress and vulnerability. The phrase emphasizes Abishai's timely and critical intervention, directly saving David's life when he was in immediate danger. It highlights a moment of personal crisis for the king.
- and struck the Philistine and killed him: This refers to Ishbi-Benob (2 Sam 21:16), one of the Rephaim, or giants. Abishai's decisive and deadly action demonstrates the prowess of David's elite warriors and the continuous, perilous nature of Israel's struggle against their powerful Philistine enemies.
- Then David’s men swore to him: This denotes a solemn and binding oath taken by David's loyal military commanders and closest advisors. It was a formal, collective decision, not merely a suggestion. In ancient Israel, such oaths carried immense weight and moral obligation, often invoking divine witness, underscoring the gravity and communal conviction of their demand.
- "You shall no longer go out with us to battle,": This is a direct, imperative command, effectively prohibiting David from personal participation in frontline warfare. It marks a significant shift in his role from a hands-on warrior-king to a strategic, protected figure. This prohibition tacitly acknowledges David's advanced age and the severe risk his presence on the battlefield now posed, prioritizing national security over the king's traditional military leadership role.
- "lest you quench the lamp of Israel.":
- Lest you: Expresses the grave consequence and preventative motivation behind their oath, indicating their fear of an impending disaster.
- quench (כָּבָה, kavah): To extinguish, put out. This verb strongly implies the termination of life or a vibrant entity. Used metaphorically, it means to destroy, nullify, or bring to an end a continuing lineage or light source.
- the lamp (נֵר, ner): This is a rich biblical metaphor. A lamp (oil lamp) provides light, symbolizing life, continuity, prosperity, guidance, and hope. Here, it refers to the spiritual and political well-being of the nation, directly tied to the life and reign of the king. In other contexts, God promises a "lamp" to David's dynasty (1 Kgs 11:36; Ps 132:17), meaning an enduring line of kings. It represents the perpetual covenant blessing and presence of God through the Davidic monarchy.
- of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael): Signifies that David's individual life was not his own but deeply intertwined with the collective destiny and spiritual state of the entire nation, God's chosen people. His reign was the visible manifestation of God's favor and guidance for Israel.
2 Samuel 21 17 Bonus section
The concept of the "lamp" is deeply rooted in the Near Eastern worldview, where lamps provided essential illumination and represented life. In the biblical context, it extended to represent the continued existence and vitality of a household or dynasty. For David, this metaphor was especially significant given God's covenant in 2 Samuel 7 promising an eternal throne for his house. The men's oath therefore acts as a human safeguard for a divinely ordained perpetuity. This scene also quietly emphasizes David's dependence on others for his survival, contrasting with earlier accounts of his independent victories, thus highlighting a transition in his reign. The narrative highlights that even divinely appointed leaders have human limitations, and the community has a role in protecting its foundational pillars. This protective act for David secures not only his person but implicitly safeguards the Messianic lineage and God's overarching plan for redemption through Israel's king.
2 Samuel 21 17 Commentary
This verse powerfully illustrates the intersection of human frailty, divine promise, and loyal service. David, once the valiant young warrior who faced Goliath, is now an aging king, nearing death at the hand of a giant. This vulnerability necessitates a dramatic shift in his role. His men, deeply understanding David's indispensable value not just as a king but as "the lamp of Israel," take a solemn oath to protect him from further battle. This "lamp" symbolizes the life and continuity of the Davidic dynasty, which was inextricably linked to God's covenant promises (2 Sam 7). To extinguish this lamp would be to jeopardize the national identity, divine blessing, and stability of Israel itself. Their collective action underscores profound loyalty, wisdom, and a grasp of the theological significance of David's kingship, which ultimately prefigures the eternal "Light" in the person of Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of David's royal lineage.
- Example 1: In church leadership, seasoned pastors or elders may need to transition from physically demanding roles to mentoring or strategic oversight, as the congregation benefits from their wisdom and sustained presence, rather than their continued frontline burden-bearing.
- Example 2: In families, younger generations often take on new responsibilities to support aging parents, ensuring the family's continued well-being and upholding its legacy, protecting "the lamp" of the family's shared heritage.