¹² Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors.

²¹ He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

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.

²³ 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.

¹⁷ “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood^(A) of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

¹⁸ Abishai^(B) the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three.^[a] He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. ¹⁹ Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

⁹ Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai^(A) the Ahohite.^(B) As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim^[a] for battle. Then the Israelites retreated,