2 Samuel 23 24

2 Samuel 23:24 kjv

Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

2 Samuel 23:24 nkjv

Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

2 Samuel 23:24 niv

Among the Thirty were: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

2 Samuel 23:24 esv

Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

2 Samuel 23:24 nlt

Other members of the Thirty included: Asahel, Joab's brother;
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;

2 Samuel 23 verses

2 Samuel 23 24 Meaning

2 Samuel 23:24 identifies two key individuals within the list of David's thirty mighty warriors: Asahel, the brother of Joab, and Elhanan, the son of Dodo from Bethlehem. This verse, part of David's "last words" and a roster of his most elite fighters, serves to enumerate and honor those who faithfully served his kingdom, underscoring their prestige and affiliation. Asahel’s inclusion is particularly poignant, given his earlier death recorded in the narrative.

2 Samuel 23 24 Context

2 Samuel chapter 23 begins with David's "last words," a reflective prophetic psalm spoken under divine inspiration. Following this spiritual declaration (vv. 1-7), the chapter transitions to a record of David's most celebrated warriors, organized into a hierarchy: "the Three" (vv. 8-12), and "the Thirty" (vv. 13-39). Verse 24 is the opening entry for the list of "the Thirty," highlighting individuals who distinguished themselves through unwavering loyalty, extraordinary valor, and dedicated service to King David. Historically, such elite warrior groups were crucial for a monarch's authority and defense in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, and these men symbolized the strength and security of David’s kingdom, divinely blessed and maintained.

2 Samuel 23 24 Word analysis

• Asahel (עֲשָׂהאֵל - ‘Asāh’ēl): Meaning "God has made" or "God has acted." Asahel was celebrated for his speed, described as "as swift of foot as a wild gazelle" (2 Sam 2:18). His fame was overshadowed by his tragic, self-caused death when he pursued and was killed by Abner (2 Sam 2:18-23). Despite his early death, his inclusion in this elite list posthumously honors his bravery and high standing among David's initial supporters, a testament to David's loyalty and remembrance of his early companions.
• the brother of Joab: This phrase establishes Asahel's prominent family lineage. Joab was David’s nephew and the powerful commander of David’s army throughout most of his reign. This connection underscores Asahel’s place within David's inner circle of trusted kin and loyal warriors, highlighting the interconnectedness of David's command structure through family ties and military loyalty. It also implicitly reminds the reader of Joab’s later actions motivated by Asahel's death.
• was one of the thirty: "The Thirty" (הַשְּׁלֹשִׁים - hash-shelōshim) refers to a renowned body of elite warriors in David's army, distinct from the three chief mighty men mentioned earlier in the chapter. This was a highly prestigious group, and being listed among them signified immense honor, valor, and proven dedication to David and his kingdom. Their existence ensured the king’s personal safety and military effectiveness.
• Elhanan (אֶלְחָנָן - ‘Elchānān): Meaning "God has been gracious" or "God is gracious." He is the next individual named in "the Thirty." This name points to the belief in divine favor and enablement for those who served.
• the son of Dodo: "Dodo" (דּוֹדוֹ - Dōdō) meaning "his beloved" or "beloved." Patronymics were vital in ancient Israel for identity and lineage. This connects Elhanan to his family, implying either a well-known family, or simply providing the full, formal name for proper identification within this significant record.
• of Bethlehem: This specifies Elhanan's town of origin. Bethlehem (בֵּית לֶחֶם - Beyth Lechem) means "house of bread" or "house of food." As David's own hometown, Bethlehem held special significance, being the ancestral city of the king and later prophesied as the birthplace of the Messiah (Mic 5:2). Elhanan's origin connects him geographically and perhaps spiritually to David and the broader narrative of God's covenant with David.

2 Samuel 23 24 Commentary

2 Samuel 23:24 opens the esteemed roll call of David's "Thirty Mighty Men," providing names, patronymics, and hometowns to solidify their identities and contributions. The mention of Asahel, Joab’s brother, first, reflects the enduring significance of David's personal loyalty to his earliest companions, even those whose lives ended tragically or abruptly. His inclusion honors his early courage despite the circumstances of his death. Asahel's presence in the list also subtly reinforces the family dynamic within David's military, showing how kin connections (like Joab’s relationship to Asahel) intertwined with the military structure, for both good and ill. The introduction of Elhanan from Bethlehem, David's hometown, hints at the king's deep ties to his roots and the support he drew from familiar places and loyal individuals. The "thirty" were not merely soldiers but instrumental figures in solidifying and protecting the kingdom of Israel, serving as a testimony to God's hand in raising faithful men to support His anointed king. Their detailed naming reflects David’s high esteem and the lasting honor they held in Israelite history, emphasizing that true leadership relies not only on the leader but on the capable and devoted support network surrounding him.

Bonus SectionThe identification of "Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem" brings up an interesting textual nuance when compared with other Bible passages. In 2 Samuel 21:19, another Elhanan (son of Jaare-Oregim) is credited with killing "Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam." However, 1 Chronicles 20:5 clarifies this, stating that Elhanan "the son of Jair" killed Lahmi, "the brother of Goliath the Gittite." Many scholars reconcile these accounts by suggesting that either the name 'Goliath' in 2 Samuel 21:19 refers to a different Philistine giant who was a brother or descendant of the famous Goliath, or that a scribal error occurred in the Samuel passage, mistakenly omitting "brother of" or misidentifying Goliath as the specific giant killed. Regardless, the Elhanan listed in 2 Samuel 23:24 (son of Dodo) is distinct from the giant-slayer, though both are impressive warriors. This specific mention here further elevates the list, emphasizing Elhanan son of Dodo’s distinguished place in his own right among David’s heroes.