2 samuel 23:10 - He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and Yahweh worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take plunder.
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What does "2 samuel 23:10" mean?
This verse describes a heroic act of a warrior from David's elite fighting force. Let's break it down:
"He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary..." This sets the scene of a fierce battle. The warrior (the context identifies him as Eleazar son of Dodo) is fighting against the Philistines, a common enemy of Israel. He is fighting with such intensity and for so long that he is physically exhausted.
"...and his hand froze to the sword..." This is a vivid image that conveys the length and intensity of the battle. The term "froze" could mean a few things here, depending on interpretation:
Literal: His hand was so cramped and stiff from gripping the sword for so long that it was essentially locked in place.
Figurative: His grip was so tight and unyielding, born of relentless fighting, that it seemed as though his hand had become fused to the sword.
"...and Yahweh worked a great victory that day..." This acknowledges that the victory wasn't solely due to Eleazar's strength or skill, but because of divine intervention and help. God is credited with enabling the victory.
"...and the people returned after him only to take plunder." This part highlights the contrast between Eleazar's dedication and the actions of the other Israelite soldiers. While he was fiercely engaged in battle, fighting until exhaustion, the rest of the army had retreated or lagged behind. Only after the Philistines were defeated (thanks largely to Eleazar's stand) did they return to claim the spoils of war (plunder). This can be interpreted in a few ways:
Criticism: It could be a subtle criticism of the other soldiers, implying they lacked Eleazar's courage and commitment, and were more interested in personal gain than in the actual battle.
Realistic portrayal: It may simply be a realistic portrayal of warfare at the time. While some fought bravely, others were more cautious and opportunistic.
Emphasis on Eleazar's heroism: By contrasting his actions with those of the people, the verse emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Eleazar's bravery and dedication.
In summary, the verse celebrates the heroic action of Eleazar, who single-handedly turned the tide of battle against the Philistines through his unwavering commitment and strength, aided by God's intervention. It also subtly criticizes or contrasts the other soldiers' focus on plunder rather than active participation in the fight. This reinforces the importance of dedication and bravery over mere opportunism.
2 samuel 23:10 - He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and Yahweh worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take plunder.
What does "2 samuel 23:10" mean?
This verse describes a heroic act of a warrior from David's elite fighting force. Let's break it down:
"He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary..." This sets the scene of a fierce battle. The warrior (the context identifies him as Eleazar son of Dodo) is fighting against the Philistines, a common enemy of Israel. He is fighting with such intensity and for so long that he is physically exhausted.
"...and his hand froze to the sword..." This is a vivid image that conveys the length and intensity of the battle. The term "froze" could mean a few things here, depending on interpretation:
Literal: His hand was so cramped and stiff from gripping the sword for so long that it was essentially locked in place.
Figurative: His grip was so tight and unyielding, born of relentless fighting, that it seemed as though his hand had become fused to the sword.
"...and Yahweh worked a great victory that day..." This acknowledges that the victory wasn't solely due to Eleazar's strength or skill, but because of divine intervention and help. God is credited with enabling the victory.
"...and the people returned after him only to take plunder." This part highlights the contrast between Eleazar's dedication and the actions of the other Israelite soldiers. While he was fiercely engaged in battle, fighting until exhaustion, the rest of the army had retreated or lagged behind. Only after the Philistines were defeated (thanks largely to Eleazar's stand) did they return to claim the spoils of war (plunder). This can be interpreted in a few ways:
Criticism: It could be a subtle criticism of the other soldiers, implying they lacked Eleazar's courage and commitment, and were more interested in personal gain than in the actual battle.
Realistic portrayal: It may simply be a realistic portrayal of warfare at the time. While some fought bravely, others were more cautious and opportunistic.
Emphasis on Eleazar's heroism: By contrasting his actions with those of the people, the verse emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Eleazar's bravery and dedication.
In summary, the verse celebrates the heroic action of Eleazar, who single-handedly turned the tide of battle against the Philistines through his unwavering commitment and strength, aided by God's intervention. It also subtly criticizes or contrasts the other soldiers' focus on plunder rather than active participation in the fight. This reinforces the importance of dedication and bravery over mere opportunism.