2 Samuel 23:31 is a short line in a list of David’s warriors, naming men who stood beside him in battle and earned a place in his memory. Its meaning is simple: the record preserves the names of ordinary soldiers whose loyalty and courage mattered to the king. The verse is part of the narrator’s account near the end of 2 Samuel, where the historian lists “the mighty men” who served David.
Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite…
2 Samuel 23:31 (WEB)
What 2 Samuel 23:31 Means
The verse gives two names with their family or hometown attached. “Abialbon the Arbathite” identifies a man from Arbah, a place in the south of Judah, and “Azmaveth the Barhumite” identifies a man from Bahurim, a village near Jerusalem. These identifying labels were a common way of distinguishing one soldier from another in an ancient army, so the reader knows who these men were and where they came from.
What the verse does not do is tell a story about these two men. It records no battle, no speech, and no reward. It does not promise that faithful service will bring fame or any specific outcome. Its purpose is to show that David’s army was built from many people, and that the historian thought each name worth keeping on record.
The Context of 2 Samuel 23:31
Second Samuel is a historical book in the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to the prophet Samuel but compiled and shaped by later writers. It tells the story of King David’s reign over Israel, including his wars, his family troubles, and his relationship with God. The original audience was the people of Israel, who needed to understand how their kingdom had been established and who had helped to establish it.
Verses 28 through 34 form a roll call of David’s elite fighters, sometimes called his “mighty men.” Just before verse 31 are names such as Zalmon, Heleb, Benaiah, and Hiddai, and just after are men such as Eliahba, Shammah, and Ahiam. Read inside that list, the verse is one entry among many, which is exactly why it looks so plain on its own. The list as a whole honors a community of loyal warriors rather than a single hero.
Key Phrases in 2 Samuel 23:31
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
(WEB)
This verse describes faith as confidence in what is hoped for and assurance about what is not yet seen. The faithful men in 2 Samuel served David without knowing how their stories would end, and Hebrews offers a wider picture of trust that holds steady across generations of God’s people.
Psalm 133:1
See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!
(WEB)
This psalm celebrates brothers living together in unity, a picture of a whole community working as one. The men of David’s army, from many towns and families, were a living example of that shared purpose.
A Short Prayer From 2 Samuel 23:31
Lord, thank you for the many people who serve quietly alongside others, whose names may never be read aloud but who are known to you. Help me to be faithful in the tasks that no one applauds, and give me eyes to notice those who labor beside me. Where I am tempted to measure my worth by attention, remind me that you see every act done in love. Teach me to honor the people in my life while they are still here. Amen.
