But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “Don’t go out with us to battle any more, so that you don’t quench the lamp of Israel.”
Parallel Translations
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But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “Don’t go out with us to battle any more, so that you don’t quench the lamp of Israel.”
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But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
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But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore unto him, saying: 'Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the lamp of Israel.'
Cross-references (12)
Passages linked to 2 Samuel 21:17 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 1 Kings 11:36 I will give one tribe to his son, that David my servant may have a lamp always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for myself to put my name there.
- 2 Samuel 18:3 But the people said, “You shall not go out; for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city.”
- 1 Kings 15:4 Nevertheless for David’s sake, Yahweh his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem;
- Psalms 132:17 I will make the horn of David to bud there. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.
- 2 Samuel 20:6-10 David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight.” Joab’s men went out after him, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was clothed in his apparel of war that he had put on, and on it was a sash with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath; and as he went along it fell out. Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So he struck him with it in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and didn’t strike him again; and he died. Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.
- 2 Samuel 14:7 Behold, the whole family has risen against your servant, and they say, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.’ Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth.”
- 2 Samuel 22:19 They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support.
- 2 Samuel 22:29 For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh will light up my darkness.
- Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
- Psalms 144:10 You are he who gives salvation to kings, who rescues David, his servant, from the deadly sword.
- John 1:8-9 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
- John 5:35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (12 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain For the glory and wealth of the country standeth…
For the glory and wealth of the country standeth in the preservation of the godly magistrate.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 2Sa 21:17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured…
2Sa 21:17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
Ver. 17. That thou quench not the light of Israel.] As Epaminondas, by his death, did the Thebans, who were after that famous for their calamities, and no more for their victories. The body drowneth not whilst the head is above water; when that once sinketh, death is near: so here. Pray therefore for the preservation of good princes; we cannot pray for them, and not pray for ourselves.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Lest thou be slain, and thereby thy people be…
Lest thou be slain, and thereby thy people be ruined. Good kings are in Scripture justly called the light of their people, as 1Ki 11:36; 15:4; Psa 132:17, because the beauty and glory, the conduct and direction, the comfort, and safety, and welfare of a people depend upon them, and come from them.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And it came to pass after this,.... After the…
And it came to pass after this,.... After the former battle:
that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob; in Ch1 20:4 it is called Gezer; either the place had two names, or these two places were near each other; so that the battle may be said to be fought both at the one and at the other, being fought equally near to both:
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then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant; who is called Sippai, Ch1 20:4; he had his name from the lintel of a door, being as high as one, so tall that he could scarce go under one. Sibbechai was one of David's worthies, Ch1 11:29; perhaps a descendant of Hushah, who sprung from Judah, Ch1 4:4.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 17. That thou quench not the light of…
Verse 17. That thou quench not the light of Israel.] David is here considered as the lamp by which all Israel was guided, and without whom all the nation must be involved in darkness. The lamp is the emblem of direction and support. Light is used in this sense by Homer: -
Ουδε τι Πατροκλῳ γενομην φαος, αυδ ' ἑταροισιπ
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Τοις αλλοις, οἱ δη πολεες δαμεν Ἑκτορι διῳ.
Iliad, lib. xviii. ver. 102.
"I have neither been a LIGHT to Patroclus nor to his
companions, who have been slain by the noble Hector."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 2Sa 21:17. That thou quench not the light of…
2Sa 21:17. That thou quench not the light of Israel — Lest thou be slain, and thereby thy people lose their glory and happiness, and even be utterly ruined. Good kings are, in Scripture, justly called the light of their people, because the beauty and glory, the conduct and direction, the comfort and safety, and welfare of a people depend greatly upon them. A noble image this of a king!
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Lamp; glory and protection. Achilles reproaches himself for not…
Lamp; glory and protection. Achilles reproaches himself for not having been "a light to" his friend. (Homer, Iliad Greek: S.)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 17. Sware unto him — The word נשׁבעו seems…
17. Sware unto him — The word נשׁבעו seems here to have rather a causative signification, made him swear; that is, administered an oath unto him.
Quench not the light of Israel — David’s position as king over Israel and leader of the armies was like that of the sun in the heavens, or a lamp in a house. Let it be suddenly removed, and all would be involved in darkness and terror. Compare 2Sa_18:3.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 17. and smote] Perhaps, and he (David) smote; as…
17. and smote] Perhaps, and he (David) smote; as 2Sa_21:22 seems to imply that one of them fell by David’s own hand.
that thou quench not the light of Israel] Extinguishing the lamp is a natural metaphor for changing the light of prosperity into the darkness of calamity; and in particular David’s sovereignty was the lamp which God’s favour had lighted for the well-being of His people. An Arab in misfortune says, “Fate has put out my lamp.” Cp. Job_18:6; Pro_13:9. The expression light of Israel seems to indicate that David was already king of all Israel, and if so, the incident may have happened in one of the wars recorded in ch. 2Sa_5:17-25.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (17) And smote.—The original leaves it doubtful whether Abishai…
(17) And smote.—The original leaves it doubtful whether Abishai is the nominative to the verb, or whether it should be simply he, referring to David. 2Sa_21:22 seems to imply that one at least of the sons of the giant fell by David’s own hand.
Sware unto him.—This was a solemn transaction, by which David should hereafter be restrained from personal exposure in battle. That he should be spoken of as “the light of Israel” implies that his government over all Israel had continued long enough already to make its immense benefits sensible.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain The men of David sware unto him. David"s men…
The men of David sware unto him. David"s men were specifically the mighties, who had so long been his friends and companions. They now bound him by an oath never again to fight in person, lest he should be singled out for combat by some warrior among the enemy and slain. The light of Israel. The lamp in the dwelling was the proof that there was life there, and so it became the symbol of prosperity. In Job_18:5, 6 the extinction of the lamp signifies the destruction of the family. David was evidently now king, and under him Israel was advancing to freedom and empire. His death would have plunged the nation back into weakness and probable ruin.
The lamp of Israel.
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In the view of his followers, David was the lamp (Hebrew, naer) or glory of the nation, and the continuance of his life and reign was essential to its welfare. This is a striking testimony to their estimate of his personal character and faithful and prosperous rule. Similar language is used of others. "He was the lamp that burueth and shineth," etc. (Joh_5:35; Mat_5:14) And every faithful servant of God is "a light giver in the world". (Php_2:15) Such a lamp is
I KINDLED BY THE GRACIOUS HAND OF GOD, the true Glory of Israel, the Father of lights, the Fountain of life and light. (Psa_36:9) None are so ready to recognize dependence upon God for life and all good as the devout man himself.
Thou art my Lamp, O Jehovah, And Jehovah enlightens my darkness. (2Sa_22:29; Psa_18:28 Psa_27:1)
"David"s regal life and actions were the light which the grace of God had kindled for the benefit of Israel." Whatever his gifts, his graces, his position, his success, they am all humbly, gratefully, and constantly ascribed to their Divine Source by the faithful servant; and, whilst we admire him, we should "glorify God in him" (1Co_15:10; Gal_1:24)
II CONDUCTIVE TO THE REAL WELFARE OF MEN. "Neither do men light a lamp and put it under the bushel," etc.. (Mat_5:15)
Heaven does with us as we with torches do, Not light them for themselves," etc. ("Measure for Measure," act 1 sc. 1.)
By his counsel, his example, his endeavours, his prayers, he renders invaluable service to others in directing them in perplexity and peril; preserving them from error and evil; stimulating them to effort and conflict; and contributing to their safety, prosperity, and lasting happiness.
III EXPOSED TO IMMINENT DANGER OF EXTINCTION. The light is liable to be quenched. Life is always precarious; the life of some peculiarly so; like that of David when he went down into the conflict (vers. 15, 16; 2Sa_5:17-25) waxed faint, and was set upon by the giant Ishbi-benob, in a new suit of armour. And it is not only natural life, but also moral and spiritual life, that is beset by danger. The part which a good man takes in the conflict between good and evil attracts the attention of his adversaries, makes him a special object of attack; (1Ki_22:31) his efforts are exhausting, and his zeal is apt to consume him. (Psa_69:9 Psa_119:139) "Ernestus, Duke of Luneburg, caused a burning lamp to be stamped on his coin, with these four letters, A.S.M.C., by which was meant, Aliis serviens meipsum contero, By giving light to others I consume myself (Spencer).
IV WORTHY OF BEING HIGHLY ESTEEMED, carefully sustained, and zealously guarded. "And Abishai succoured him, and he Abishai, or perhaps David, ver. 22 killed him," etc. The preserving care of God (2Sa_8:14) does not render needless human sympathy, assistance, prudence, resolution. (2Sa_18:3) He who freely spends his strength and risks his life for others ought to be esteemed, considered, defended, and helped by them (1Th_5:12, 1Th_5:23; 2Th_3:2; Heb_13:17) and, herein, they also benefit themselves and the whole community. "If any man serve me, let him follow me," etc.. D. (Joh_12:26-28)
The unquenchable Light.
thou quench not the light of Israel." "The men of David" who thus speak, and doubtless the multitude of his subjects, regarded him as the light (literally, as in Revised Version, "the lamp") of the nation its guiding mind, its safety, glory, and joy. His death would involve the nation in darkness in perplexity, confusion, peril, and trouble. Such was likely enough to be the consequence of his death at that period. Nevertheless, David, as a moral and spiritual light, burns on still for all peoples and generations. Death did not quench this light. More emphatically is this true of Jesus Christ our King.
I HE IS THE LIGHT OF MEN. Intended ultimately to "lighten every man;" actually enlightening those who receive him. He is their:
1. Teacher and Guide. Through whose revelations they know God and himself and themselves; sin and righteousness; heaven, and the way to it; perdition, and how to escape it; the real worth of things; the wisdom needful for the guidance of life. Christ sheds light upon all things the light by which their true character and relations are made apparent.
2. Safety and Salvation. In darkness is peril; in light security.
3. Glory. Imparting to them of his own lustre.
4. Joy. In knowledge and conscious safety are peace and happiness and hope; in ignorance, doubt, and perplexity, is unhappiness.
II HIS LIGHT CANNOT BE QUENCHED.
1. Not the light of his personal glory In the battle with his foes and ours, hefell and died; but he rose again, and to a greater brightness of glory, in consequence of his death. His cross itself is a great light for men. He lives above all the power of his enemies. He goes with his people to battle, but cannot be touched by the foe.
2. Nor the Light he has become to men through the knowledge he hasgiven to the world. Great and formidable and persistent have been the efforts to extinguish the light; but it burns on unquenched and unquenchable. It may be obscured here and there, and for a time, but it can never go out. It will yet shine forth over the whole earth, and scatter all the darkness of error and sin.
3. Nor the Light he is to each of his believing people. Through life, and indeath, and forever, he remains their Light. His presence in their hearts is their wisdom and joy under all circumstances.
Then:
1. Be grateful for him.
2. Accept the light he sheds.
3. "Walk as children of light.
4. Be lights yourselves. Shine by speech, and especially in yourlives. G.W.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 21:17 Abishai was an accomplished warrior and fiercely loyal…
21:17 Abishai was an accomplished warrior and fiercely loyal to David, whom he heroically rescued (see “Abishai” Profile). • the light of Israel? Cp. 18:3. Both passages reflect the glowing adoration that David’s men had for him.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.