2 samuel 23:20 - Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit in a time of snow.
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What does "2 samuel 23:20" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 23:20 describes one of David's mighty warriors, Benaiah. Let's break it down:
"Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel...": This establishes Benaiah's lineage. He's the son of Jehoiada, and the grandson of a "valiant man" from Kabzeel. Kabzeel was a town in the southern part of Judah, near the border with Edom. This establishes Benaiah's family as courageous and likely skilled warriors.
"...who had done mighty deeds...": This highlights that Benaiah was known for his bravery and accomplishments. The following examples are specific instances of his "mighty deeds."
"...killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab.": This is the first specific deed mentioned. "Sons of Ariel" could be interpreted in a few ways:
Literal: They were the literal sons of a man named Ariel.
Figurative: "Ariel" means "lion of God" or "altar hearth" and could be used as a title for particularly strong or important Moabite warriors. Some believe it might refer to elite guards or champions.
Either way: The point is that Benaiah killed two significant Moabite warriors, demonstrating his prowess in battle. Moab was a neighboring kingdom, often in conflict with Israel.
"He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit in a time of snow.": This is the second specific deed, and perhaps the most striking.
"Went down and killed a lion...": This speaks to Benaiah's incredible courage and strength. Lions were formidable predators.
"...in the middle of a pit...": The pit likely served as a trap for animals. Being in a pit with a lion would put Benaiah at a significant disadvantage, with limited room to maneuver.
"...in a time of snow.": The "time of snow" could have several implications:
Scarcity of Food for the Lion: The lion may have been especially dangerous and desperate due to lack of food in the winter.
Difficult Conditions: Winter weather would have made the situation even more challenging, with slippery footing and cold temperatures.
Unlikely Encounter: Encounters with lions would have been less common during the cold months and therefore highlights the peculiarity of the circumstances.
In Summary:
The verse portrays Benaiah as an exceptionally brave and skilled warrior. He comes from a family known for valor, and his own deeds back that up. He not only defeated significant enemy warriors (the two sons of Ariel) but also faced and overcame a deadly predator (a lion) in a particularly dangerous and unusual situation. This verse serves to highlight Benaiah's importance and heroism, contributing to the overall depiction of David's mighty men.
2 samuel 23:20 - Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit in a time of snow.
What does "2 samuel 23:20" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 23:20 describes one of David's mighty warriors, Benaiah. Let's break it down:
"Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel...": This establishes Benaiah's lineage. He's the son of Jehoiada, and the grandson of a "valiant man" from Kabzeel. Kabzeel was a town in the southern part of Judah, near the border with Edom. This establishes Benaiah's family as courageous and likely skilled warriors.
"...who had done mighty deeds...": This highlights that Benaiah was known for his bravery and accomplishments. The following examples are specific instances of his "mighty deeds."
"...killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab.": This is the first specific deed mentioned. "Sons of Ariel" could be interpreted in a few ways:
Literal: They were the literal sons of a man named Ariel.
Figurative: "Ariel" means "lion of God" or "altar hearth" and could be used as a title for particularly strong or important Moabite warriors. Some believe it might refer to elite guards or champions.
Either way: The point is that Benaiah killed two significant Moabite warriors, demonstrating his prowess in battle. Moab was a neighboring kingdom, often in conflict with Israel.
"He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit in a time of snow.": This is the second specific deed, and perhaps the most striking.
"Went down and killed a lion...": This speaks to Benaiah's incredible courage and strength. Lions were formidable predators.
"...in the middle of a pit...": The pit likely served as a trap for animals. Being in a pit with a lion would put Benaiah at a significant disadvantage, with limited room to maneuver.
"...in a time of snow.": The "time of snow" could have several implications:
Scarcity of Food for the Lion: The lion may have been especially dangerous and desperate due to lack of food in the winter.
Difficult Conditions: Winter weather would have made the situation even more challenging, with slippery footing and cold temperatures.
Unlikely Encounter: Encounters with lions would have been less common during the cold months and therefore highlights the peculiarity of the circumstances.
In Summary:
The verse portrays Benaiah as an exceptionally brave and skilled warrior. He comes from a family known for valor, and his own deeds back that up. He not only defeated significant enemy warriors (the two sons of Ariel) but also faced and overcame a deadly predator (a lion) in a particularly dangerous and unusual situation. This verse serves to highlight Benaiah's importance and heroism, contributing to the overall depiction of David's mighty men.