Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
The duplicate of this passage is in 1 Chr. 11, where it is in immediate connection with David' s accession to the throne of Israel, and where the mighty men are named as those by whose aid David was made king. The document belongs to the early part of David' s reign. The text of II Samuel 23:8-9 is perhaps to be corrected by comparison with I Chronicles 11:11-12.
Chief among the captains - There is great doubt about the exact meaning of this phrase.
(1) the title is given to two other persons, namely, to Abishai in II Samuel 23:18; I Chronicles 11:20, and to Amasa in I Chronicles 12:18.
(2) the word translated "captain," is of uncertain meaning, and the orthography repeatedly fluctuates throughout this and the duplicate passage in 1 Chr. 11, between "Shalish" a captain, and "Sheloshah" three.
(3) if, however, the text of Chronicles be taken as the guide, then the sense of "captain" will not come into play, but the word will be a numeral throughout, either "three" or "thirty," and will describe David' s band of thirty mighty men, with a certain triad or triads of heroes who were yet more illustrious than the thirty.
In the verse before us, therefore, for "chief among the captains," we should render, "chief of the thirty."
Eight hundred - The parallel passage in I Chronicles has "three hundred," as in II Samuel 23:18. Such variations in numerals are very frequent. Compare the numbers in Ezra 2 and Neh. 7.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 2 Samuel 23:8:
Exodus 14:7
2 Samuel 5:17
2 Samuel 20:1
2 Samuel 23:8
1 Chronicles 11:11
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.