Of the mighty men whom David had, i. e. of his chief and most valiant commanders. And as it was noted upon 2 Samuel 21:1, that the things related in that chapter were done before Absalom's and Sheba's rebellion, though they be mentioned after them; so that opinion is confirmed by this catalogue, which, though placed here, was taken long before, as is manifest from hence, that Asahel and Uriah are named here. And whereas there are some differences between this list and that 1Ch 11, most of them are easily reconciled by these two considerations:
1. That nothing is more common than for one person to have divers names.
2. That as some of the worthies died, and others came in their steads; so this must needs cause some alteration in the latter catalogue, 1Ch 11, from this, which was the former. The Tachmonite, or, Hachmonite, called Jashobeam, 1 Chronicles 11:11, from his place; or, as here, Josheb-bassebet, i. e. as we render it, that sat in the seat, i.e. was, under Joab, chief or president of the council of war, or lieutenant ( locum tenens). The same was Adino: this was his proper name. The Eznite; so called, either from his family, or from the place of his birth or education. He lift up his spear; which words are fitly supplied out of 1 Chronicles 11:11, where they are expressed. Or thus, he was above eight hundred, i.e. he conquered them. So there is only an ellipsis of the verb substantive, which is most frequent. At one time; in one battle, which though it be strange, yet cannot seem incredible, supposing him to be a person of extraordinary strength and activity, and his enemies to be weak, or discouraged, and fleeing away; and especially, God's singular blessing and assistance; all which may very reasonably be supposed. Object. But this man is said to have slain only three hundred in 1 Chronicles 11:11. Answ.
1. Possibly he slew eight hundred at one time, and three hundred at another; whereof the former is related here, as being most considerable; and the latter in the Book of Chronicles, which supplies many passages omitted in the former writings.
2. He slew three hundred with his own hands; and the other five hundred, though killed by his men, are said to be slain by him, because he was the chief cause of all their deaths; for he, by his undaunted courage, killing three hundred, put the rest to flight, who were easily slain by his soldiers in the pursuit.
3. Some of the Hebrew writers affirm that these were two distinct persons, being called by differing names; the one the father, and the other the son, who succeeded his father, as in strength and valour, so also in his place of honour and trust.