2 Samuel 23 31

2 Samuel 23:31 kjv

Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

2 Samuel 23:31 nkjv

Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

2 Samuel 23:31 niv

Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

2 Samuel 23:31 esv

Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Bahurim,

2 Samuel 23:31 nlt

Abi-albon from Arabah;
Azmaveth from Bahurim;

2 Samuel 23 verses

2 Samuel 23 31 Meaning

This verse identifies two notable warriors from David's elite corps, known as "The Mighty Men": Abi-albon the Arbathite and Azmaveth the Barhumite. Their inclusion signifies their courage, strength, and unwavering loyalty in serving King David, making them part of the core group that helped establish and defend the kingdom of Israel under divine guidance.

2 Samuel 23 31 Context

2 Samuel 23:31 is part of a detailed roster, 2 Samuel 23:8-39, which lists the thirty-seven elite warriors of David's army. This list immediately follows David's "last words" (2 Samuel 23:1-7), which outline his theological understanding of just kingship under God. The inclusion of these warriors underscores the vital role human fidelity and valor played in fulfilling God's covenant with David. Each man named was instrumental in David's military successes and the security of his kingdom, demonstrating exemplary courage and loyalty in various campaigns that consolidated Israel's power and ensured its defense. The act of cataloging them in such an honorable manner served to memorialize their significant contributions and devotion.

2 Samuel 23 31 Word analysis

• Abi-albon (אֲבִיעַלְבּוֹן - 'Avialbon): The name combines "father" ('av) and "mighty" or "strong" ('alab), thus meaning "my father is mighty" or "father of strength." This name might reflect a characteristic of his lineage or signify his own inherent strength and influential leadership. It highlights the patriarchal reverence in naming.
• the Arbathite (הָעַרְבָתִ֑י - ha-'Arbati): Denotes his place of origin, Arbath. This geographical identifier was common in ancient Israel, associating an individual with their community or territory. While the exact location of Arbath is uncertain, it suggests a specific local loyalty that transferred to national service.
• Azmaveth (עַזְמָ֑וֶת - 'Azmaveth): A compound name meaning "strength of death" or "strong one of death" ('az meaning "strong," maveth meaning "death"). This is a descriptive and powerful name, often interpreted to mean either one who is fiercely strong in battle to the point of being a force of death against enemies, or one whose strength defies death. It appears several times in the Bible, indicating a certain prevalence for this warrior-like name.
• the Barhumite (הַבַּרְחֻמִֽי - hab-Barhumî): Identifies Azmaveth as being from Barhum. This is widely considered to be a variant of Bahurim, a place noted elsewhere in 2 Samuel for significant events related to David's life. This place gained notoriety when Shimei cursed David as David fled from Absalom (2 Sam 16:5). The fact that a loyal warrior like Azmaveth came from a place associated with such strong opposition highlights that David's loyal support came from diverse geographical and social backgrounds.

• Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite: The naming convention with a personal name followed by a geographical or tribal designator is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern lists. It authenticates the historical existence of these individuals and places them within their communal context. The collective enumeration of such individuals reinforces the concept of a united force, a national army gathered from various parts of the kingdom, all contributing their unique strengths to David's cause. Their inclusion in this revered list speaks to their enduring legacy of devotion.

2 Samuel 23 31 Bonus section

The chronicling of David's Mighty Men underscores a biblical principle: God works through faithful and capable human agents to achieve His purposes. While David was God's chosen king, his success was significantly enabled by the devoted service of these warriors. This entire list (2 Sam 23:8-39 and its parallel in 1 Chr 11) is more than a mere military roster; it is a testament to the diverse origins of God's instruments, drawing individuals from various regions of Israel, some known for their fierce independence or even past disloyalty, and uniting them under a righteous king. Their names, some indicating their strength or heritage ("father is mighty," "strength of death"), are immortalized not just for their physical prowess, but for their steadfast allegiance in fulfilling the divine covenant with David, establishing a secure kingdom where God's name could be honored.

2 Samuel 23 31 Commentary

2 Samuel 23:31 continues the detailed tribute to David's "Mighty Men," presenting Abi-albon and Azmaveth as further exemplars of valor and unwavering loyalty that characterized David's reign. These names, along with others in the list, demonstrate that the strength of David's kingdom was not solely in the king but also in the devoted and capable individuals God raised up to support him. While Abi-albon and Azmaveth are given no specific exploits in this context, their very inclusion is an honor, signifying that their service, likely in numerous unrecorded battles and tasks, was vital to the consolidation and defense of Israel. The presence of a warrior from Bahurim (Azmaveth) is noteworthy, contrasting the loyalty of this individual with the site's infamous connection to Shimei's curse, reminding us that devotion to the Lord's anointed can arise from unexpected places.