The Meaning of 2 Samuel 23:23 Explained

2 Samuel 23:23

KJV: He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

YLT: Of the thirty he is honoured, and unto the three he came not; and David setteth him over his guard.

Darby: He was honoured above the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David set him in his council.

ASV: He was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He was more honourable  than the thirty,  but he attained  not to the [first] three.  And David  set  him over his guard. 

What does 2 Samuel 23:23 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Samuel 23:18-39 - Men With A Record
What marvels may be wrought by the inspiration of a single life! We remember the hour when an unknown youth stepped out of the affrighted hosts of Israel to face Goliath. Alone, so far as human help went, David encountered and defeated that terrible antagonist; but after some fourteen or fifteen years had run their course, he no longer stood alone. Scores of heroes, animated by his spirit and exercising his faith, stepped forth on the new path which he had opened.
Thus the lives of great men light up and inspire the lives of others. They mold their contemporaries. Wesley's career has raised a great army of preachers and evangelists. The enthusiasm of a Brainerd, a Finney, a Moody, has stirred tens of thousands with kindred passion for the souls of men. The companions of our Lord became His Apostles (His missionaries). His own life of sacrifice for men has become the beacon-fire which has summoned myriads from the sloth and indulgence of the valleys to the surrender, the self-denial, the anguish of His Cross, if only they might be permitted to follow in His steps. Is there anything in our lives that is inspiring others? [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 23

1  David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises
6  The different state of the wicked
8  A catalogue of David's mighty men

What do the individual words in 2 Samuel 23:23 mean?

Than the thirty He was more honored but to the [first] three Not he did attain and appointed him David over his guard -
מִן־ הַשְּׁלֹשִׁ֣ים נִכְבָּ֔ד וְאֶל־ הַשְּׁלֹשָׁ֖ה לֹא־ בָ֑א וַיְשִׂמֵ֥הוּ דָוִ֖ד אֶל־ מִשְׁמַעְתּֽוֹ ס

מִן־  Than 
Parse: Preposition
Root: מִן 
Sense: from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than.
הַשְּׁלֹשִׁ֣ים  the  thirty 
Parse: Article, Number, common plural
Root: שְׁלֹשִׁים  
Sense: thirty, thirtieth.
נִכְבָּ֔ד  He  was  more  honored 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: כָּבֵד  
Sense: to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured.
וְאֶל־  but  to 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
הַשְּׁלֹשָׁ֖ה  the  [first]  three 
Parse: Article, Number, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁלֹשׁ 
Sense: three, triad.
בָ֑א  he  did  attain 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
וַיְשִׂמֵ֥הוּ  and  appointed  him 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
דָוִ֖ד  David 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
אֶל־  over 
Parse: Preposition
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
מִשְׁמַעְתּֽוֹ  his  guard 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁמַעַת  
Sense: subjects, body of subjects, bodyguard, listeners, obedient ones.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation

What are the major concepts related to 2 Samuel 23:23?

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