2 Samuel 21:17

WEB

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, "You shall go no more out with us to battle, that you do not quench the lamp of Israel."

KJV

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.

Commentary

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him,.... Observing him in danger, made haste to his relief: and smote the Philistine, and killed him; it seems as if Abishai engaged with the Philistine, and killed him; but inasmuch as it will bear to be inte rpreted of David, and since the four giants here and hereafter mentioned are said to fall by the hand of David and his servants, Sa2 21:22 , it may be thought that this man fell by his hand; seeing it is clear that all the rest fell by the hands of his servants: then the men of David sware unto him; after they had observed the danger he was exposed unto, and how narrowly he escaped with his life: saying, thou shalt go no more with us to battle; they had persuaded him not to go to the battle with Absalom; they had suffered him to go with them now, he being, no doubt, forward and pressing to it; but now they were resolute, and determined he should never go more: that thou quench not the light of Israel; signifying that their glory and prosperity depended on his life, and that, should he be taken away, they should be in affliction and adversity, their honour and their happiness would be at an end; the Targum is,"thou mayest not extinguish the kingdom of Israel,''the light and glory of it.