English Standard Version
2 Samuel 20:23
23Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites;
2 Samuel 20:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
- New International Version (NIV)Joab was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites;
- New King James Version (NKJV)And Joab was over all the army of Israel; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites;
- New Living Translation (NLT)Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard.
Context of 2 Samuel 20:23
21That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city." And the woman said to Joab, "Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall." 22Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24and Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25and Sheva was secretary; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
Read all of 2 Samuel 202 Samuel 20:23 word by word
וְיוֹאָ֕ב אֶ֥ל כָּל־הַצָּבָ֖א יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּבְנָיָה֙ בֶּן־יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע עַל־הַכְּרֵתִ֖י וְעַל־הַפְּלֵתִֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Now Joabיוֹאָבyô'âb · JoabH3097
- over all the hostצָבָאtsâbâ' tsebâ'âh · armyH6635
- of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
- and Benaiahבְּנָיָ֫הוּbenâyâh benâyâhû · BenaiahH1141
- the sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- of Jehoiadaיְהוֹיָדָעyehôyâdâ‛ · JehoiadaH3077
- over the Cherethitesכָּרִיkârîy · CariteH3746
- over the Cherethitesכְּרֵתִיkerêthîy · CherethiteH3774
- and over the Pelethitesפְּלֵתִיpelêthîy · PelethiteH6432
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 20:23
- 2 Samuel 8:16Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder,
- 1 Chronicles 18:15And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
- 2 Samuel 20:7And there went out after him Joab's men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 20:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Joab was over all the host - He had murdered Amasa, and seized on the supreme command: and such was his power at present, and the service which he had rendered to the state by quelling the rebellion of Sheba, that David was obliged to continue him; and dared not to call him to account for his murders without endangering the safety of the state by a civil war. Benaiah - over the Cherethites - Benaiah was over the archers and slingers. See the notes on 2…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Now Joab - This is by no means an unmeaning repetition. Joab had been dismissed to make room for Amasa, and was now, as the result of his successful expedition against Sheba, and the death of Amasa, reinstated in his command. Moreover, this was a fresh beginning of David‘s reign, and therefore a statement of his chief officers is as proper as in 2 Samuel 8:16, when he had just established himself on the throne of Israel. Compare 1 Kings 4:2-6.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-26Verses 23-26 Here is the state of David's court, after his restoration. It is well when able men are appointed to discharge public duties; let all seek to perform those duties, as faithful servants to the Son of David.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23In 2 Samuel 8:16, Joab was said to be "over the army," but here he is the commander of Israel's army. David gained full control of Israel after defeating the northern rebel groups.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Now Joab was over all the host of Israel--David, whatever his private wishes, found that he possessed not the power of removing Joab; so winking at the murder of Amasa, he re-established that officer in his former post of commander-in-chief. The enumeration of David's cabinet is here given to show that the government was re-established in its wonted course.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 20:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries