2 Samuel 23:39

Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

Uriah {H223} the Hittite {H2850}: thirty {H7970} and seven {H7651} in all.

Uriyah the Hitti

and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.

Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

Commentary

Context

This verse, 2 Samuel 23:39, concludes the detailed list of King David's elite warriors, known as the Mighty Men. This esteemed group, whose heroic deeds are chronicled from 2 Samuel 23:8 through 2 Samuel 23:39, represented the pinnacle of military prowess and loyalty in ancient Israel. Uriah the Hittite is the last individual named, followed by the total count, bringing a somber close to this distinguished roster. His inclusion here is particularly poignant given his tragic fate at David's hand, as recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 11.

Key Themes

  • Loyalty and Integrity: Uriah's presence in this list underscores his unwavering loyalty to David and to Israel, even as a foreigner ("the Hittite"). His integrity, particularly his refusal to go home while his fellow soldiers were in battle (2 Samuel 11:11), stands as a powerful testament to his character.
  • Consequences of Sin: The mention of Uriah serves as a stark and enduring reminder of David's grave sin involving Bathsheba and Uriah. Even in a list of his greatest achievements, the shadow of David's moral failure is present, illustrating that even mighty kings are accountable before God, and sin has far-reaching consequences (2 Samuel 12:10).
  • Divine Record and Justice: Despite the injustice Uriah suffered, his name is preserved in the sacred text, forever recognized among the most valiant men of Israel. This suggests a form of divine vindication, ensuring that his valor and faithfulness are not forgotten.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Uriah the Hittite" emphasizes his ethnic origin. While a Hittite, he was fully integrated into Israelite society and served David with profound devotion. The Hittites were a prominent people group in the ancient Near East, and Uriah's presence highlights the diversity within David's army and the inclusion of non-Israelites who pledged allegiance to the God of Israel. The final count, "thirty and seven in all," provides a precise summary of the number of individuals recognized in this elite company, emphasizing the historical accuracy and meticulous record-keeping within the biblical narrative.

Reflection and Application

Uriah's story, culminating in this final mention, offers several powerful lessons:

  • The Enduring Value of Character: Uriah's name is remembered not just for his military prowess but for his steadfast character and loyalty, even in the face of profound betrayal. True integrity leaves a lasting legacy.
  • Accountability and Repentance: The inclusion of Uriah's name implicitly calls to mind David's sin and his subsequent repentance (Psalm 51). It reminds us that even great leaders can fall, but God's grace and the path to restoration are available through genuine repentance.
  • God's Recognition: Even when human justice fails, God sees and remembers faithfulness. Uriah's place in this sacred list is a testament to God's recognition of his servant's valor and integrity.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 11:3 (5 votes)

    And David sent and enquired after the woman. And [one] said, [Is] not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

  • 2 Samuel 12:9 (3 votes)

    Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

  • 1 Kings 15:5 (3 votes)

    Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

  • Matthew 1:6 (3 votes)

    And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her [that had been the wife] of Urias;

  • 1 Chronicles 11:41 (2 votes)

    Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

  • 2 Samuel 11:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ And David sent to Joab, [saying], Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

  • 2 Samuel 11:27 (2 votes)

    And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.