What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 23:35? Hezro the Carmelite – “Hezro the Carmelite” appears in the roster of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8–39). The Berean Standard Bible simply lists him, yet that brief notice speaks volumes. • Carmel was a fertile ridge in Judah (1 Samuel 25:2; Joshua 15:55). A man from there would have grown up amid shepherds and vineyards—training grounds for stamina, watchfulness, and combat readiness. • David’s earliest followers were drawn while he fled Saul (1 Samuel 22:1–2). Hezro likely joined during those dangerous years, proving loyal when loyalty cost something. • His inclusion beside warriors like Benaiah and Abishai (2 Samuel 23:20, 24) shows that God values every faithful contribution, not just the spectacular exploits. • The same list is repeated in 1 Chronicles 11:37, underscoring the historical reliability of the record. Takeaway: every name is preserved because God notices steadfast allegiance, whether the deeds made headlines or not (Hebrews 6:10; Matthew 10:42). Paarai the Arbite – The verse continues, “Paarai the Arbite.” • “Arbite” points to the town of Arab in the Judean hill country (Joshua 15:52). Paarai’s background was rural and rugged—perfect for guerrilla warfare alongside David. • 1 Chronicles 11:37 parallels the entry, calling him “Naarai son of Ezbai.” The slight variation shows that Scripture often supplies complementary details, not contradictions. Both accounts agree on the essential fact: this man stood among the elite fighters who secured David’s kingdom (2 Samuel 23:8; 2 Samuel 21:15–17). • His placement near the end of the roster illustrates that prominence in God’s book is not ranked by public acclaim but by faithfulness (Luke 22:28–30; 1 Corinthians 4:2). • By naming an “Arbite,” the text highlights the wide reach of David’s influence—from metropolitan Jerusalem to small Judean villages—mirroring how Christ later gathers followers from every background (Acts 1:8; Revelation 5:9). summary 2 Samuel 23:35 records two seemingly obscure soldiers—Hezro of Carmel and Paarai of Arab—yet their presence in Scripture proves that God remembers every act of courage done in His service. Each man’s hometown hints at humble origins, while their inclusion among the mighty men testifies to unwavering loyalty during David’s rise. Their example calls believers today to steadfast, unspectacular faithfulness, confident that the Lord who inspired these precise names still honors those who stand with His chosen King. |
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