2 Samuel 23:39

KJV

Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

Uriyah the Hitti

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This concluding verse of 2 Samuel 23 serves as the final entry in the esteemed list of David's Mighty Men, specifically naming Uriah the Hittite and providing the total count of thirty-seven warriors. Its placement is profoundly significant, not only marking the end of a heroic roster but also serving as a poignant and enduring reminder of David's gravest moral failure, casting a somber shadow of consequence over the otherwise glorious achievements of his reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse brings to a close the detailed catalog of David's elite warriors, known as the Mighty Men, which commenced in [2 Samuel 23:8](/2_samuel/23-8 "2 Samuel 23:8 - Introduction to David's Mighty Men"). The preceding verses meticulously enumerate the heroic deeds and names of these formidable individuals, celebrating their valor and loyalty to King David. Uriah the Hittite is strategically placed as the final named individual, immediately preceding the total count. This placement ensures that his name, and by extension the tragic circumstances of his death at David's command, remains indelibly linked to the pinnacle of David's military strength and personal integrity, serving as a powerful narrative anchor for the entire list. The list itself is framed by David's "last words" in [2 Samuel 23:1-7](/2_samuel/23-1-7 "2 Samuel 23:1-7 - David's Last Words"), suggesting a reflective and summarizing tone for this section of the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The inclusion of "the Hittite" in Uriah's name highlights the presence and integration of foreigners, particularly from the Hittite empire, within Israelite society and even within David's inner circle. Hittites were a prominent people group in the ancient Near East, known for their military prowess, and their presence in David's army indicates a diverse and perhaps mercenary component to his forces. The meticulous listing of warriors was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, serving as a record of achievement, a testament to a king's power, and a source of national pride. Such lists often reflected the king's ability to attract and command the most skilled fighters. Uriah's unwavering loyalty, even as a non-Israelite, as demonstrated in [2 Samuel 11:11](/2_samuel/11-11 "2 Samuel 11:11 - Uriah's Integrity"), would have been seen as exceptionally commendable in a culture that valued honor and fidelity above all else in military service.
* **Key Themes:** The verse, by concluding the list with Uriah, powerfully underscores several key themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **loyalty and integrity**, epitomized by Uriah, a foreigner who displayed unwavering devotion to David and Israel, even to his death. Secondly, it serves as a stark and enduring reminder of the **consequences of sin**, particularly David's egregious actions concerning Bathsheba and Uriah, detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin and Uriah's Death"). This dark episode casts a long shadow over David's reign, illustrating that even the greatest kings are accountable before God and that sin has far-reaching, often tragic, repercussions, as prophesied in [2 Samuel 12:10-12](/2_samuel/12-10-12 "2 Samuel 12:10-12 - Nathan's Prophecy of Consequences"). Finally, the preservation of Uriah's name in this sacred text speaks to **divine remembrance and justice**, ensuring that despite the human injustice he suffered, his valor and faithfulness are eternally recognized and honored by God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Uriah (Hebrew, _'Ûrîyāh'_):** This name means "My light is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my light." The irony of his name is profound; Uriah, whose very name declares God as his light, was extinguished by the very king he served, a king who himself was meant to be a light to Israel. His name stands in stark contrast to the darkness of David's sin, highlighting his personal integrity and faithfulness to the God of Israel, even as a non-Israelite.
* **Hittite (Hebrew, _Ḥittî'_):** This designation emphasizes Uriah's ethnic origin. The Hittites were a major power in the ancient Near East. Uriah's inclusion among David's most elite warriors, despite being a foreigner, underscores David's inclusive leadership and the respect Uriah earned through his skill and loyalty. It also implicitly highlights the greater fidelity of a foreign convert to Yahweh compared to the moral failure of Israel's king.
* **thirty and seven (Hebrew, _shloshim v'shiv'ah'_):** This precise numerical summation provides a definitive closure to the list. It signifies the meticulous record-keeping inherent in ancient administrative and historical accounts. While the list itself has some textual complexities and variations in other biblical accounts (e.g., [1 Chronicles 11](/1_chronicles/11 "1 Chronicles 11 - David's Mighty Men")), this specific number in 2 Samuel 23 provides a final, authoritative count for this particular compilation, emphasizing its completeness and historical validity within the narrative.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Uriah the Hittite:"** This phrase identifies the final individual on the list of David's Mighty Men. His inclusion is deeply poignant, as it immediately brings to mind the narrative of David's adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent murder of Uriah, detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah"). By placing him last, the text ensures that the memory of his integrity and David's profound betrayal is the final impression left by this roster of heroes. It serves as a permanent, somber footnote to David's otherwise celebrated military achievements.
* **"thirty and seven in all."** This concluding phrase provides the total number of warriors listed in this specific compilation of David's Mighty Men. It acts as a definitive summary, bringing a quantitative closure to the qualitative descriptions of valor. The precise count underscores the historical and administrative nature of the biblical record, affirming the reality of these individuals and their collective significance to David's reign. It also emphasizes the completeness of the roster as presented in this chapter.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Uriah, a foreigner, exhibits greater moral integrity and loyalty than King David himself, who, despite being "a man after God's own heart," orchestrates Uriah's death. His name, meaning "Yahweh is my light," stands in stark contrast to the dark deed committed against him. **Juxtaposition** is also at play, as Uriah's name, representing ultimate faithfulness and tragic innocence, is placed at the very end of a list celebrating David's most loyal and heroic warriors. This placement ensures that the shadow of David's sin falls directly upon his greatest achievements, preventing the reader from glorifying David's reign without acknowledging its profound moral stain. Furthermore, Uriah's inclusion serves as a **Symbol** of the enduring consequences of sin, illustrating that even divine forgiveness does not erase the earthly repercussions or the memory of grave offenses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The mention of Uriah the Hittite at the close of David's elite warriors list is a profound theological statement. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice and truth, even when human powers attempt to suppress them. Despite David's attempt to cover up his sin, God ensures that Uriah's name, integrity, and tragic fate are permanently etched into the sacred history of Israel. This serves as a powerful reminder that God sees all, remembers the righteous, and holds even kings accountable for their actions. It underscores the biblical principle that true greatness is measured not just by power or achievement, but by character and faithfulness, and that sin, even when forgiven, leaves indelible marks. The divine record ensures that the victim's honor is preserved and the perpetrator's sin is remembered, serving as a perpetual warning against the abuse of power and a testament to the enduring value of integrity.

* [2 Samuel 11:27](/2_samuel/11-27 "2 Samuel 11:27 - The Lord was displeased with what David had done")
* [Psalm 51:1-4](/psalms/51-1-4 "Psalm 51:1-4 - David's Confession of Sin")
* [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Uriah the Hittite's final appearance in this list is not merely a historical detail but a profound moral and spiritual lesson for all believers. His unwavering loyalty and integrity, even in the face of profound betrayal by his king, stand as a timeless testament to the enduring value of character over worldly success or personal gain. It challenges us to consider where our ultimate loyalty lies and whether we maintain our integrity even when it is costly or when those in authority fail us. Furthermore, Uriah's story, inextricably linked to David's sin, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of moral compromise, even for those greatly blessed by God. It prompts us to reflect on our own accountability before God and the necessity of genuine repentance when we fall short. Finally, the divine preservation of Uriah's name assures us that God sees and remembers every act of faithfulness, every instance of injustice, and that true vindication ultimately comes from Him, even when human systems fail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Uriah's steadfast integrity, despite being a foreigner and ultimately betrayed, challenge your understanding of true faithfulness?**
* **In what ways does the enduring memory of Uriah's fate, even in a list of David's achievements, remind you of the lasting consequences of sin, even after forgiveness?**
* **How does the preservation of Uriah's name in sacred scripture offer comfort or challenge regarding divine justice and remembrance in a world where injustice often seems to prevail?**

### FAQ
**Why is Uriah the Hittite included in this list, especially given his tragic fate at David's hand?**

Answer: Uriah's inclusion is deeply significant for several reasons. Firstly, he was genuinely one of David's most loyal and capable warriors, deserving of a place among the elite "Mighty Men" based on his military prowess and unwavering devotion, as evidenced by his refusal to go home while his fellow soldiers were in battle ([2 Samuel 11:11](/2_samuel/11-11 "2 Samuel 11:11 - Uriah's Integrity and Loyalty")). Secondly, his presence serves as a profound and enduring reminder of David's grave sin involving Bathsheba and Uriah's murder ([2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin and Uriah's Death")). The biblical narrative does not shy away from the flaws of its heroes; rather, it highlights them to underscore God's justice and the consequences of sin, even for a king "after God's own heart." Uriah's name ensures that this dark chapter in David's life is never forgotten, emphasizing accountability and the far-reaching impact of moral failure.

**What is the significance of the number "thirty and seven" in this verse?**

Answer: The number "thirty and seven" provides a precise and definitive total for the list of David's Mighty Men as presented in [2 Samuel 23:8-39](/2_samuel/23-8-39 "2 Samuel 23:8-39 - The List of David's Mighty Men"). While there are some textual variations and different counts in parallel passages like [1 Chronicles 11](/1_chronicles/11 "1 Chronicles 11 - David's Mighty Men"), the specific number here signifies the meticulous record-keeping of the biblical writers. It brings a sense of completeness and finality to this particular roster, emphasizing the historical accuracy and administrative detail within the narrative. It also serves to numerically summarize the collective strength and valor of David's most elite fighting force, providing a clear boundary to this section of the text.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Uriah the Hittite, a loyal and innocent man betrayed and sacrificed by his king, serves as a poignant type of Christ. Just as Uriah, whose name means "Yahweh is my light," was extinguished by a powerful ruler, so too was Jesus, the true Light of the World ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), unjustly condemned and executed by the authorities of His day. Uriah's unwavering integrity and faithfulness, even unto death, foreshadow the perfect obedience and sinless sacrifice of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). While Uriah's death was a consequence of David's sin, Christ's death was for the sins of all humanity, a voluntary act of perfect love and substitutionary atonement ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). In Christ, we see the ultimate divine vindication of the innocent sufferer, not merely through the remembrance of His name, but through His glorious resurrection and exaltation ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")), providing true justice and eternal life for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 11:3

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

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

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

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

Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

2 Samuel 11:6

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

2 Samuel 11:27

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.