2 Samuel 23:10

He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

He arose {H6965}, and smote {H5221} the Philistines {H6430} until {H3588} his hand {H3027} was weary {H3021}, and his hand {H3027} clave {H1692} unto the sword {H2719}: and the LORD {H3068} wrought {H6213} a great {H1419} victory {H8668} that day {H3117}; and the people {H5971} returned {H7725} after {H310} him only to spoil {H6584}.

He stood firm and attacked the P'lishtim until his hand went into spasm, so that he couldn't let go of his sword. ADONAI accomplished a great victory that day; but the people didn't return until he had finished, and then only to plunder the bodies of the dead.

but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.

He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword; and Jehovah wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.

Commentary

Context of David's Mighty Men

This verse introduces us to Eleazar, one of King David's legendary mighty men, a group of elite warriors renowned for their extraordinary courage and feats of strength. The passage in 2 Samuel 23 highlights the individual bravery and unwavering loyalty of these men, serving as a testament to the strength of David's kingdom and the divine hand that often empowered them in battle. Eleazar's act of valor described here is a specific instance of his remarkable dedication during a conflict with the Philistines, Israel's long-standing adversaries.

Eleazar's Unwavering Courage

The imagery in this verse is incredibly vivid: "He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword." This paints a picture of intense, prolonged, and solitary combat. Eleazar fought with such ferocity and persistence that his hand became physically stuck to his sword, likely due to extreme fatigue, sweat, and perhaps blood. This detail underscores his incredible endurance and commitment to the fight, even when others had retreated. The phrase "the people returned after him only to spoil" further emphasizes Eleazar's singular heroism, revealing that the rest of the Israelite army had abandoned the fight, only to reappear once the victory was secured, to plunder the enemy's possessions.

Divine Intervention and Victory

Despite Eleazar's monumental effort and personal sacrifice, the verse attributes the ultimate success to a higher power: "and the LORD wrought a great victory that day." This crucial statement shifts the focus from human strength to divine intervention. It's a powerful reminder that while human courage and perseverance are vital, the true source of triumph in the battles of life, especially for God's people, is God Himself. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, where God is consistently shown as the one who fights for Israel and grants victory, as seen in David's encounter with Goliath.

Linguistic Insight: "Clave unto the Sword"

The KJV word "clave" is the past tense of "cleave," meaning to adhere, stick, or remain firmly attached. In this context, it vividly describes Eleazar's hand becoming so locked onto his sword due to exhaustion, sweat, and the sheer exertion of continuous fighting that it literally would not separate from the hilt. This is not mere poetic license but a powerful physical depiction of extreme endurance and unwavering grip in the face of overwhelming odds. It conveys a warrior completely consumed by the battle, pushing beyond normal human limits.

Key Themes

  • Heroic Perseverance: Eleazar's refusal to yield despite extreme fatigue and the retreat of his comrades.
  • Divine Empowerment: The ultimate victory is attributed to the Lord, demonstrating that God works through faithful individuals.
  • Individual Courage: The verse highlights the impact one person's unwavering commitment can have.
  • God's Sovereignty in Battle: Even in human conflict, God is the ultimate orchestrator of outcomes.

Practical Application

Eleazar's story is a profound encouragement for believers today. It teaches us to persevere in our spiritual battles, our daily tasks, or our callings, even when we feel weary or alone. Like Eleazar, we are called to give our utmost, to fight with all our strength, knowing that the ultimate victory belongs to the Lord. His example reminds us not to grow weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9), and that even when our hands are "stuck" from the strain of effort, God can use our faithfulness to bring about great triumphs. We are to run with patience the race set before us, trusting that God will bring the ultimate success.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 19:5 (3 votes)

    For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest [it], and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

  • 1 Samuel 11:13 (3 votes)

    And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.

  • Ephesians 6:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

  • Ephesians 6:18 (2 votes)

    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

  • Joshua 10:10 (2 votes)

    And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5 (2 votes)

    For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

  • Judges 15:14 (2 votes)

    [And] when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that [were] upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.