People of Jerusalem

So all Israel was enrolled in genealogies; and behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And (A)Judah was taken into exile to Babylon for their infidelity.

(B)Now the first inhabitants who lived on their own property in their cities were people of Israel, including the priests, the Levites, and (C)the [a]temple servants. Some of the sons of Judah, some of the sons of Benjamin, and some of the sons of Ephraim and Manasseh lived in (D)Jerusalem: Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, from the sons of Perez the (E)son of Judah. From the Shilonites were Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. From the sons of Zerah were Jeuel and their relatives, 690 of them. From the sons of Benjamin were Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah, and Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; and their relatives according to their generations, (F)956. All these men were heads of fathers’ households according to their fathers’ houses.

10 (G)From the priests were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, 11 and [b]Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, (H)the chief officer of the house of God; 12 and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; 13 and their relatives, heads of their fathers’ households, 1,760 competent men for the work of the service of the house of God.

14 (I)Of the Levites, there were Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15 and Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal; and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of [c]Zichri, the son of Asaph, 16 and [d]Obadiah the son of [e]Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the settlements of the Netophathites.

17 Now the gatekeepers were [f]Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives (Shallum the chief 18 being stationed until now at (J)the king’s gate to the east). These were the gatekeepers for the camp of the sons of Levi. 19 Shallum the son of Kore, the son of [g]Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives of his father’s house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, doorkeepers of the tent; and their fathers had been in charge of the camp of the Lord, keepers of the entrance. 20 (K)Phinehas the son of Eleazar was supervisor over them previously, and the Lord was with him. 21 (L)Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance of the tent of meeting. 22 Those who were chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds were 212 in all. They were registered by genealogy in their settlements, (M)those whom David and Samuel the seer appointed (N)in their official capacity. 23 So they and their sons were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, the house of the tent, in their divisions of service. 24 The gatekeepers were [h]on the four sides, to the east, west, north, and south. 25 Their relatives in their settlements (O)were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with [i]them; 26 for the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, served in an official capacity, and were in charge of the chambers and in charge of the treasuries in the house of God. 27 They spent the night around the house of God, (P)because the watch was [j]committed to them; and they were in charge of opening it morning by morning.

28 Now some of them were in charge of the utensils of the service, for [k]they counted them when they brought them in and when they took them out. 29 Some of them also were appointed over the furniture and over all the utensils of the sanctuary, and (Q)over the finely milled flour, the wine, the olive oil, the frankincense, and the balsam oil. 30 Some of (R)the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the balsam oil. 31 Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had (S)the [l]responsibility for the baking of cakes in pans. 32 Some of their relatives of the sons of the Kohathites (T)were in charge of the showbread to prepare it every Sabbath.

33 Now these are (U)the singers, heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free of other duties; for they were [m]engaged (V)in their work day and night. 34 These were heads of fathers’ households of the Levites according to their generations, chief men [n]who lived in Jerusalem.

Ancestry and Descendants of Saul

35 (W)Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon, and his wife’s name was Maacah, 36 and his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. 38 Mikloth fathered Shimeam. And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their other relatives. 39 (X)Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. 40 The son of Jonathan was [o]Merib-baal; and Merib-baal fathered Micah. 41 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, (Y)and Ahaz. 42 Ahaz fathered Jarah, Jarah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri fathered Moza. 43 Moza fathered Binea, and Rephaiah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 44 Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.

Defeat and Death of Saul and His Sons

10 (Z)Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from the Philistines but fell fatally wounded on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines also overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines [p]killed Jonathan, [q](AA)Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle became severe against Saul, and the archers found him; and he was wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised Philistines will come and abuse me.” But his armor bearer would not, for he was very afraid. (AB)So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword and died. (AC)So Saul died with his three sons, and all those of his house died together.

When all the people of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them.

It came about the next day, when the Philistines came to strip those killed, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. (AD)So they stripped him and took his head and his armor and sent messengers around the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. 10 They put his armor in the house of their gods and [r]impaled his head in the house of Dagon.

Jabesh-gilead’s Tribute to Saul

11 When all Jabesh-gilead heard everything that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 (AE)all the valiant men got up and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh; and they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.

13 (AF)So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep; and also (AG)because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of her, 14 and did not inquire of the Lord. Therefore He killed him and (AH)turned the kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse.

David Made King over All Israel

11 (AI)Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron [s]and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘(AJ)You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be leader over My people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and (AK)they anointed David king over Israel, (AL)in accordance with the word of the Lord through Samuel.

Jerusalem Is the Capital City

Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem ((AM)that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David took the mountain stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David). Now David had said, “Whoever is first to [t]kill a Jebusite shall be chief and commander.” (AN)Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. Then David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. He [u]built the city all around, from the [v]Millo to the surrounding area; and Joab [w]repaired the rest of the city. (AO)And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of armies was with him.

David’s Mighty Men

10 (AP)Now these are the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who remained faithful to him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, (AQ)in accordance with the word of the Lord concerning Israel. 11 These constitute the list of David’s mighty men: (AR)Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, (AS)the chief of the thirty; he wielded his spear against three hundred [x]whom he killed at one time.

12 After him was Eleazar the son of (AT)Dodo, the Ahohite, who was [y]one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David at [z]Pas-dammim (AU)when the Philistines were gathered together there to battle, and there was a plot of land full of barley; and the people fled from the Philistines. 14 But they took their stand in the midst of the plot and defended it, and defeated the Philistines; and the Lord saved them with a great [aa]victory.

15 Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, while (AV)the army of the Philistines was camping in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 David was then in the stronghold, while (AW)the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 17 And David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 18 So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; however, David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord; 19 and he said, “Far be it from me before my God that I would do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went [ab]at the risk of their lives? For they brought it at the risk of their lives.” Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.

20 As for [ac]Abshai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the [ad]thirty, and he wielded his spear against three hundred [ae]and killed them; and he had a name [af]as well as the [ag]thirty. 21 Of the three in the second rank he was the most honored, and he became their commander; however, he did not attain the reputation of the first three.

22 (AX)Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a warrior of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck and killed the [ah]two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and struck and killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day. 23 And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature [ai]five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was (AY)a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name [aj]as well as the three mighty men. 25 Behold, he was honored among the thirty, but he did not attain the reputation of the first three; and David appointed him over his bodyguard.

26 Now the mighty men of the armies were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27 [ak]Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the [al]Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, 29 [am]Sibbecai the Hushathite, [an]Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai the Netophathite, [ao]Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32 [ap]Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, [aq]Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 the sons of [ar]Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, 35 Ahiam the son of [as]Sacar the Hararite, [at]Eliphal the son of Ur, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro the Carmelite, [au]Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maacah and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, 45 Jediael the son of Shimri and his brother Joha the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 9:2 Heb Nethinim
  2. 1 Chronicles 9:11 In Neh 11:11, Seraiah
  3. 1 Chronicles 9:15 In Neh 11:17, Zabdi
  4. 1 Chronicles 9:16 In Neh 11:17, Abda
  5. 1 Chronicles 9:16 In Neh 11:17, Shammua
  6. 1 Chronicles 9:17 In v 21, Meshelemiah; in 26:14, Shelemiah; in Neh 12:25, Meshullam
  7. 1 Chronicles 9:19 In Ex 6:24, Abiasaph
  8. 1 Chronicles 9:24 Lit to the four winds
  9. 1 Chronicles 9:25 Lit these
  10. 1 Chronicles 9:27 Lit on them
  11. 1 Chronicles 9:28 Lit by count they brought them in and by count they took them out
  12. 1 Chronicles 9:31 Lit official capacity over
  13. 1 Chronicles 9:33 Lit over them in the work
  14. 1 Chronicles 9:34 Lit these
  15. 1 Chronicles 9:40 In 2 Sam 4:4, Mephibosheth
  16. 1 Chronicles 10:2 Lit struck
  17. 1 Chronicles 10:2 In 1 Sam 14:49, Ishvi
  18. 1 Chronicles 10:10 Or pinned up
  19. 1 Chronicles 11:1 Lit saying
  20. 1 Chronicles 11:6 Lit strike
  21. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or fortified
  22. 1 Chronicles 11:8 I.e., terraced structure
  23. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Lit revived
  24. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Lit slain ones
  25. 1 Chronicles 11:12 Lit among
  26. 1 Chronicles 11:13 In 1 Sam 17:1, Ephes-dammim
  27. 1 Chronicles 11:14 Or salvation
  28. 1 Chronicles 11:19 Lit with their souls
  29. 1 Chronicles 11:20 In 2 Sam 23:18, Abishai
  30. 1 Chronicles 11:20 As in Syriac; MT three
  31. 1 Chronicles 11:20 Lit slain ones
  32. 1 Chronicles 11:20 Lit among the
  33. 1 Chronicles 11:20 As in Syriac; MT three
  34. 1 Chronicles 11:22 Or two lion-like heroes of
  35. 1 Chronicles 11:23 About 7.5 ft. or 2.3 m
  36. 1 Chronicles 11:24 Lit among the
  37. 1 Chronicles 11:27 In 2 Sam 23:25, Shammah the Harodite
  38. 1 Chronicles 11:27 In 2 Sam 23:26, Paltite
  39. 1 Chronicles 11:29 In 2 Sam 23:27, Mebunnai
  40. 1 Chronicles 11:29 In 2 Sam 23:28, Zalmon
  41. 1 Chronicles 11:30 In 2 Sam 23:29, Heleb
  42. 1 Chronicles 11:32 In 2 Sam 23:30, Hiddai
  43. 1 Chronicles 11:32 In 2 Sam 23:31, Abi-albon
  44. 1 Chronicles 11:34 In 2 Sam 23:32, Jashen
  45. 1 Chronicles 11:35 In 2 Sam 23:33, Sharar
  46. 1 Chronicles 11:35 In 2 Sam 23:34, Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai
  47. 1 Chronicles 11:37 In 2 Sam 23:35, Paarai the Arbite

All Israel(A) was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon(B) because of their unfaithfulness.(C)

The People in Jerusalem(D)

Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns(E) were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants.(F)

Those from Judah, from Benjamin, and from Ephraim and Manasseh who lived in Jerusalem were:

Uthai son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah.(G)

Of the Shelanites[a]:

Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.

Of the Zerahites:

Jeuel.

The people from Judah numbered 690.

Of the Benjamites:

Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah;

Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, the son of Mikri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah.

The people from Benjamin, as listed in their genealogy, numbered 956. All these men were heads of their families.

10 Of the priests:

Jedaiah; Jehoiarib; Jakin;

11 Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official in charge of the house of God;

12 Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur,(H) the son of Malkijah; and Maasai son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer.

13 The priests, who were heads of families, numbered 1,760. They were able men, responsible for ministering in the house of God.

14 Of the Levites:

Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a Merarite; 15 Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal and Mattaniah(I) son of Mika, the son of Zikri, the son of Asaph; 16 Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.(J)

17 The gatekeepers:(K)

Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman and their fellow Levites, Shallum their chief 18 being stationed at the King’s Gate(L) on the east, up to the present time. These were the gatekeepers belonging to the camp of the Levites. 19 Shallum(M) son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his fellow gatekeepers from his family (the Korahites) were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the tent just as their ancestors had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord. 20 In earlier times Phinehas(N) son of Eleazar was the official in charge of the gatekeepers, and the Lord was with him. 21 Zechariah(O) son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

22 Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers(P) at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer.(Q) 23 They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord—the house called the tent of meeting. 24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. 25 Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day(R) periods. 26 But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries(S) in the house of God. 27 They would spend the night stationed around the house of God,(T) because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key(U) for opening it each morning.

28 Some of them were in charge of the articles used in the temple service; they counted them when they were brought in and when they were taken out. 29 Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary,(V) as well as the special flour and wine, and the olive oil, incense and spices. 30 But some(W) of the priests took care of mixing the spices. 31 A Levite named Mattithiah, the firstborn son of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with the responsibility for baking the offering bread. 32 Some of the Kohathites, their fellow Levites, were in charge of preparing for every Sabbath the bread set out on the table.(X)

33 Those who were musicians,(Y) heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night.(Z)

34 All these were heads of Levite families, chiefs as listed in their genealogy, and they lived in Jerusalem.

The Genealogy of Saul(AA)

35 Jeiel(AB) the father[b] of Gibeon lived in Gibeon.

His wife’s name was Maakah, 36 and his firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah and Mikloth. 38 Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They too lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.

39 Ner(AC) was the father of Kish,(AD) Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan,(AE) Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal.[c](AF)

40 The son of Jonathan:

Merib-Baal,[d](AG) who was the father of Micah.

41 The sons of Micah:

Pithon, Melek, Tahrea and Ahaz.[e]

42 Ahaz was the father of Jadah, Jadah[f] was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza. 43 Moza was the father of Binea; Rephaiah was his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son.

44 Azel had six sons, and these were their names:

Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.

Saul Takes His Life(AH)

10 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him.

Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and abuse me.”

But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died. So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together.

When all the Israelites in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them.

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news among their idols and their people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of their gods and hung up his head in the temple of Dagon.(AI)

11 When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead(AJ) heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

13 Saul died(AK) because he was unfaithful(AL) to the Lord; he did not keep(AM) the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium(AN) for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned(AO) the kingdom(AP) over to David son of Jesse.

David Becomes King Over Israel(AQ)

11 All Israel(AR) came together to David at Hebron(AS) and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.(AT) And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd(AU) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.(AV)’”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed(AW) David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem(AX)

David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites(AY) who lived there said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab(AZ) son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.

David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the terraces[g](BA) to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. And David became more and more powerful,(BB) because the Lord Almighty was with him.

David’s Mighty Warriors(BC)

10 These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel,(BD) gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised(BE) 11 this is the list of David’s mighty warriors:(BF)

Jashobeam,[h] a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers[i]; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

12 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors. 13 He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. 14 But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.(BG)

15 Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley(BH) of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold,(BI) and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured(BJ) it out to the Lord. 19 “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

20 Abishai(BK) the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 21 He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel,(BL) performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.(BM) 23 And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits[j] tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod(BN) in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. 25 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

26 The mighty warriors were:

Asahel(BO) the brother of Joab,

Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

27 Shammoth(BP) the Harorite,

Helez the Pelonite,

28 Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,

Abiezer(BQ) from Anathoth,

29 Sibbekai(BR) the Hushathite,

Ilai the Ahohite,

30 Maharai the Netophathite,

Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,

31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,

Benaiah(BS) the Pirathonite,(BT)

32 Hurai from the ravines of Gaash,

Abiel the Arbathite,

33 Azmaveth the Baharumite,

Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite,

Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

35 Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite,

Eliphal son of Ur,

36 Hepher the Mekerathite,

Ahijah the Pelonite,

37 Hezro the Carmelite,

Naarai son of Ezbai,

38 Joel the brother of Nathan,

Mibhar son of Hagri,

39 Zelek the Ammonite,

Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

40 Ira the Ithrite,

Gareb the Ithrite,

41 Uriah(BU) the Hittite,

Zabad(BV) son of Ahlai,

42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who was chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him,

43 Hanan son of Maakah,

Joshaphat the Mithnite,

44 Uzzia the Ashterathite,(BW)

Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

45 Jediael son of Shimri,

his brother Joha the Tizite,

46 Eliel the Mahavite,

Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam,

Ithmah the Moabite,

47 Eliel, Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 9:5 See Num. 26:20; Hebrew Shilonites.
  2. 1 Chronicles 9:35 Father may mean civic leader or military leader.
  3. 1 Chronicles 9:39 Also known as Ish-Bosheth
  4. 1 Chronicles 9:40 Also known as Mephibosheth
  5. 1 Chronicles 9:41 Vulgate and Syriac (see also Septuagint and 8:35); Hebrew does not have and Ahaz.
  6. 1 Chronicles 9:42 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint (see also 8:36); most Hebrew manuscripts Jarah, Jarah
  7. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or the Millo
  8. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Possibly a variant of Jashob-Baal
  9. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Or Thirty; some Septuagint manuscripts Three (see also 2 Samuel 23:8)
  10. 1 Chronicles 11:23 That is, about 7 feet 6 inches or about 2.3 meters