2 Samuel 23:26 kjv
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
2 Samuel 23:26 nkjv
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
2 Samuel 23:26 niv
Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,
2 Samuel 23:26 esv
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa,
2 Samuel 23:26 nlt
Helez from Pelon ;
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
2 Samuel 23 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 16:18 | "Then one of the young men answered, 'Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a mighty warrior, a man of war..." | David as a skilled, valiant warrior |
| 2 Sam 21:15-22 | "And David and his servants went down and fought with the Philistines. And David grew faint...Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him..." | Deeds of David's other mighty men |
| 1 Chr 11:10-47 | "These are the chiefs of the mighty men whom David had...And their number was thirty-seven in all." | Parallel list of David's mighty men |
| 1 Chr 12:8 | "From the Gadites there went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear..." | Mighty men joining David |
| Ps 18:32-34 | "The God who trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." | God empowering warriors |
| Ps 101:6 | "My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; one who walks in the way that is blameless will minister to me." | King seeking faithful servants |
| Prov 20:28 | "Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by righteousness his throne is upheld." | Traits upholding kingship |
| Matt 25:21 | "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’" | Reward for faithful service |
| Matt 10:42 | "And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." | Valuing small acts of service |
| 1 Cor 1:26-29 | "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many of noble birth..." | God choosing the seemingly humble |
| 1 Cor 12:4-7 | "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit...For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom..." | Diverse gifts for collective service |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Unity in Christ beyond origin |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | Strength through God's power |
| Col 3:23-24 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." | Working diligently for the Lord |
| Heb 11:32-34 | "And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets...who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises..." | Honoring heroes of faith |
| Neh 7:5 | "My God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by genealogy." | Recording genealogies/names |
| Mal 3:16 | "Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name." | Book of remembrance |
| Rev 2:10 | "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." | Promise to the faithful |
| Rev 3:5 | "The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life..." | Names in the Book of Life |
| Zech 4:6 | "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.'" | God's power over human might |
| Acts 10:34-35 | "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'" | God's acceptance regardless of background |
| Is 62:2 | "The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give." | Receiving a new name/identity from God |
2 Samuel 23 verses
2 Samuel 23 26 Meaning
2 Samuel 23:26 details two more individuals from the elite cadre of David's thirty mighty men: Helek the Pelonite and Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. This verse continues the careful enumeration of David's most loyal and skilled warriors, emphasizing the diverse origins and specific identities of those who served him with valor. It is a record of their contribution and status within David's kingdom.
2 Samuel 23 26 Context
2 Samuel chapter 23 begins with David's final words, followed by a distinguished list of his most renowned warriors, often called his "mighty men." This specific verse, 2 Samuel 23:26, is part of the larger catalogue (2 Sam 23:8-39) which records their names, origins, and sometimes, specific heroic feats. This list functions as an honor roll, highlighting the exceptional bravery, skill, and loyalty of the individuals who served David, aiding him in establishing and maintaining his kingdom. The inclusion of these names underscores the personal loyalty and dedicated service that formed the backbone of David's military and administrative success. Their recognition, though brief, signifies their vital contribution to David’s reign and God's plan through him.
2 Samuel 23 26 Word analysis
- Helek (חֵלֶק - Cheleq): This Hebrew name means "portion" or "lot." While a common name-type, its meaning here simply identifies the individual. His inclusion in this prestigious list shows his esteemed status, even if no specific deed is recorded for him individually.
- the Pelonite (הַפְּלֹנִי - Ha-Pəlonî): This describes Helek's geographical origin, indicating he was from a place called Pelon. This location is obscure and not widely known from other biblical texts or historical records. Its mention highlights David's ability to draw capable and loyal men from across Israel, even from lesser-known towns or regions, and bring them into his elite service.
- Ira (עִירָא - ‘Ira): This Hebrew name typically means "watcher" or "alert, awakened." This may allude to qualities useful for a warrior, such as vigilance or readiness for battle. An Ira is mentioned as David's chief official (2 Sam 20:26), specifically Ira the Jairite. While often speculated, it is more likely Ira the Tekoite from 1 Chron 2:10-12, indicating this particular Ira from Tekoa as the mighty man.
- the son of Ikkesh (בֶּן־עִקֵּשׁ - ben-‘Iqqesh): Naming the father, Ikkesh (meaning "twisted" or "perverse"), serves to precisely identify Ira among any others of the same name. In ancient genealogies, identifying by father's name or place was common for unique identification. This mention solidifies Ira’s family lineage.
- the Tekoite (הַתְּקוֹעִי - Hat-Teqo‘î): This signifies Ira’s origin from Tekoa, a town south of Bethlehem in the rugged Judean wilderness. Tekoa was notably the home of Amos the prophet (Amos 1:1). People from this region were known for their hardiness and resilience, living in a difficult terrain. This geographic designation links Ira to a place associated with strength and sometimes prophetic insight.
- "Helek the Pelonite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite": This phrasing group concisely lists two specific individuals. The use of patronymics ("son of Ikkesh") and geographical epithets ("Pelonite," "Tekoite") served as unique identifiers in a society without complex naming conventions like modern surnames. These details confirm their specific identity, affirming their historical existence and service. The diverse geographical origins reflect the breadth of David's influence and the unified support he garnered across Israel. This precision underscores the value placed on each man's unique contribution.
2 Samuel 23 26 Bonus section
The act of meticulously listing individuals by name and origin, even those not directly linked to grand heroic deeds within this specific account, demonstrates the biblical emphasis on individual recognition and the value of specific contributions. It mirrors how God remembers each of His servants, great or small, who faithfully carry out their "portion" or "lot" in His greater plan (as Cheleq - "portion" - in Helek's name might subtly hint). It reinforces that faithfulness in any capacity is noted in heaven, paralleling the heavenly "book of remembrance" for those who honor God (Mal 3:16) or names inscribed in the Book of Life (Rev 3:5). These human lists, therefore, are but faint shadows of God's perfect and complete remembrance of His people.
2 Samuel 23 26 Commentary
2 Samuel 23:26 serves as a detailed entry within the honor roll of David's thirty mighty men, showcasing two more distinct individuals: Helek from the obscure Pelon and Ira from the notable Tekoa. These specific identifications, including a patronymic for Ira, highlight the meticulously recorded history of those who bravely served King David. Their inclusion, though without listed individual heroic deeds in this particular verse, underscores their unwavering loyalty and martial prowess. This catalog functions as a testament to the character and strength of David’s kingdom, built not only on divine promise but also on the dedication of faithful individuals from varied backgrounds. It demonstrates God's method of working through specific, identified human agents to achieve His purposes, elevating those who commit their strength and lives in service. This short verse silently emphasizes that God observes and remembers the deeds of even those who may seem to be minor characters in the larger story.