2 Samuel 23 10

2 Samuel 23:10 kjv

He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

2 Samuel 23:10 nkjv

He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

2 Samuel 23:10 niv

but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.

2 Samuel 23:10 esv

He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the LORD brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain.

2 Samuel 23:10 nlt

He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!

2 Samuel 23 verses

2 Samuel 23 10 Meaning

This verse describes the extraordinary bravery and perseverance of Eleazar, one of David's mighty men, who single-handedly engaged the Philistines with such ferocity that his hand cramped and stuck to his sword. Despite this intense personal effort, the ultimate victory and great deliverance that day are attributed solely to the Lord, highlighting divine intervention and sovereignty. The general populace, however, only arrived after the battle was won, merely to gather spoils from the slain.

2 Samuel 23 10 Context

This verse is found within the enumeration of "David's mighty men" (2 Sam 23:8-39), a highly regarded elite fighting force during his reign. Eleazar the son of Dodai, the Ahohite, is one of the "Three" mightiest warriors (along with Josheb-basshebeth/Jashobeam and Shammah), renowned for their extraordinary valor and prowess in battle. This specific account immediately follows the description of Eleazar standing with David when the Philistines gathered for battle. The general historical context is David's reign, which was often marked by conflicts with surrounding nations, particularly the Philistines, who were a persistent and powerful threat to Israel's security and territory. The narrative here highlights the exceptional personal bravery and divine intervention crucial for Israelite victories.

2 Samuel 23 10 Word analysis

• He: Refers to Eleazar, the son of Dodai, the Ahohite, introduced in the preceding verse (2 Sam 23:9). He is identified as one of "the three mighty men," indicating his supreme martial standing.
• rose and struck: Hebrew qum wayyak (קום וַיַּךְ). Qum means 'to rise, stand up,' and nakah means 'to strike, smite.' This phrase conveys decisive, immediate, and forceful action, emphasizing Eleazar's initiative and aggressive engagement in battle.
• Philistines: Pelishtim (פְּלִשְׁתִּים). These were Israel's formidable and persistent adversaries, residing on the coastal plain. Their presence often represented a significant threat to Israel's existence, making victory over them particularly meaningful.
• until his hand was weary: Hebrew 'ad kimloh yado (עַד כְּלֹה יָדוֹ). Kimloh derives from kalah, meaning 'to be completed, exhausted, finished.' This graphically portrays extreme physical exertion, signifying that Eleazar fought past the point of normal human endurance.
• his hand clung to the sword: Hebrew wattidbaq yado baḥereb (וַתִּדְבַּק יָדוֹ בַּחֶרֶב). Dabaq means 'to cleave, stick, cling.' This vivid imagery suggests an unbreakable bond between the warrior and his weapon, perhaps due to muscle spasms from prolonged fighting, or metaphorically, an unyielding resolve and refusal to let go. It conveys a picture of profound tenacity and commitment to the task.
• the Lord brought about: Hebrew Yahweh hôshi'a (יהוה הוֹשִׁיעַ). Hosni'a (Hiphil of yasha') means 'to save, deliver, grant victory.' This phrase marks a pivotal shift, attributing the decisive outcome not to Eleazar's strength alone, but to divine intervention. It underscores that all human effort is ultimately under God's sovereignty.
• great victory: Hebrew tashu'ah gedolah (תְּשׁוּעָה גְּדוֹלָה). Teshu'ah means 'salvation, deliverance, victory.' The adjective gedolah means 'great.' This signifies a resounding and undeniable triumph, one that could only be ascribed to the power of God.
• that day: Specifies a particular, memorable event, implying its lasting significance and demonstrating God's timely intervention.
• and the people returned after him only to strip the slain: This phrase contrasts Eleazar's dedicated fight with the motivations of the general Israelite populace. While Eleazar focused entirely on engaging the enemy and securing victory, "the people" (perhaps referring to the bulk of Israel's forces or civilian followers) only joined in after the battle was won, driven by the desire to collect valuable spoils and weapons from the fallen enemy. It highlights Eleazar's selfless and immediate focus on battle versus the pragmatic, albeit less courageous, follow-up of the many. This motif often differentiates the few true champions of God from those motivated by lesser gain.

2 Samuel 23 10 Bonus section

The account of Eleazar in 2 Samuel 23:10 finds a close parallel in 1 Chronicles 11:12-14, though with a slight difference regarding the "field of lentils" (1 Chr) or an unspecified field (2 Sam), which nonetheless describes the same event. This reinforces the significance and authenticity of Eleazar's feat in Israel's history. The visual of Eleazar's "hand clinging to the sword" is a potent metaphor not only for physical endurance but also for spiritual tenacity. It can symbolize an unyielding grip on the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph 6:17) or a determined perseverance in spiritual warfare against spiritual forces. It encourages believers to hold fast to their faith and mission even when physically or spiritually weary, trusting that God will bring the great victory.

2 Samuel 23 10 Commentary

This verse paints a powerful picture of an individual warrior's unwavering dedication combined with divine enablement. Eleazar’s extreme commitment, pushing his body beyond exhaustion to the point of his hand cramping onto his sword, showcases extraordinary courage and singular focus in the face of the Philistine threat. However, the ultimate outcome, a "great victory," is explicitly attributed to the Lord. This establishes a vital theological truth: while God expects and honors human effort, courage, and perseverance, the decisive triumph ultimately comes from His sovereign hand. The concluding remark about "the people" returning only to strip the slain serves as a contrast, emphasizing Eleazar's distinct and superior motivation and valor, and implying that true commitment to God's battles may be demonstrated by a devoted few, while many follow for more worldly benefits. The passage thus serves as an archetype for courageous, persistent action undertaken in faith, culminating in God's deliverance.