18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”

19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.

“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed,(A) put on lotions and changed his clothes,(B) he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept,(C) but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”

22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows?(D) The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’(E) 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him,(F) but he will not return to me.”(G)

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26 Meanwhile Joab fought against Rabbah(A) of the Ammonites and captured the royal citadel. 27 Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply. 28 Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will take the city, and it will be named after me.”

29 So David mustered the entire army and went to Rabbah, and attacked and captured it. 30 David took the crown(B) from their king’s[a] head, and it was placed on his own head. It weighed a talent[b] of gold, and it was set with precious stones. David took a great quantity of plunder from the city 31 and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes, and he made them work at brickmaking.[c] David did this to all the Ammonite(C) towns. Then he and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 12:30 Or from Milkom’s (that is, Molek’s)
  2. 2 Samuel 12:30 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms
  3. 2 Samuel 12:31 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.

The Capture of Rabbah(A)

20 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah(B) and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins.(C) David took the crown from the head of their king[a]—its weight was found to be a talent[b] of gold, and it was set with precious stones—and it was placed on David’s head. He took a great quantity of plunder from the city and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes.(D) David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 20:2 Or of Milkom, that is, Molek
  2. 1 Chronicles 20:2 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms

David also defeated the Moabites.(A) He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.(B)

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David also defeated the Moabites,(A) and they became subject to him and brought him tribute.

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Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer(A) son of Rehob, king of Zobah,(B) when he went to restore his monument at[a] the Euphrates(C) River. David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers[b] and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung(D) all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 8:3 Or his control along
  2. 2 Samuel 8:4 Septuagint (see also Dead Sea Scrolls and 1 Chron. 18:4); Masoretic Text captured seventeen hundred of his charioteers

David took the gold shields(A) that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tebah[a] and Berothai,(B) towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 8:8 See some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 18:8); Hebrew Betah.

Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah,(A) in the vicinity of Hamath, when he went to set up his monument at[a] the Euphrates River.(B) David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung(C) all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 18:3 Or to restore his control over

David took the gold shields carried by the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tebah[a] and Kun, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, David took a great quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the bronze Sea,(A) the pillars and various bronze articles.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 18:8 Hebrew Tibhath, a variant of Tebah

When the Arameans of Damascus(A) came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. He put garrisons(B) in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject(C) to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.(D)

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When the Arameans of Damascus(A) came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought him tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

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12 Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites(A) in the Valley of Salt. 13 He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

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When Tou[a] king of Hamath(A) heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,(B) 10 he sent his son Joram[b] to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 8:9 Hebrew Toi, a variant of Tou; also in verse 10
  2. 2 Samuel 8:10 A variant of Hadoram

When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold, of silver and of bronze.

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11 King David dedicated(A) these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: 12 Edom[a](B) and Moab,(C) the Ammonites(D) and the Philistines,(E) and Amalek.(F) He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 8:12 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac (see also 1 Chron. 18:11); most Hebrew manuscripts Aram

11 King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from all these nations: Edom(A) and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek.(B)

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David’s Mighty Warriors(A)

10 These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel,(B) gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised(C)

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David’s Mighty Warriors(A)

These are the names of David’s mighty warriors:(B)

Josheb-Basshebeth,[a](C) a Tahkemonite,[b] was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed[c] in one encounter.

Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai(D) the Ahohite.(E) As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim[d] for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.

11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.

13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam,(F) while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.(G) 14 At that time David was in the stronghold,(H) and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem.(I) 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors 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(J) it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood(K) 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(L) the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three.[e] 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.

20 Benaiah(M) son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel,(N) 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. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear 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. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as 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.

24 Among the Thirty were:

Asahel(O) the brother of Joab,

Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

25 Shammah the Harodite,(P)

Elika the Harodite,

26 Helez(Q) the Paltite,

Ira(R) son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,

27 Abiezer(S) from Anathoth,(T)

Sibbekai[f] the Hushathite,

28 Zalmon the Ahohite,

Maharai(U) the Netophathite,(V)

29 Heled[g](W) son of Baanah the Netophathite,

Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah(X) in Benjamin,

30 Benaiah the Pirathonite,(Y)

Hiddai[h] from the ravines of Gaash,(Z)

31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite,

Azmaveth the Barhumite,(AA)

32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

the sons of Jashen,

Jonathan 33 son of[i] Shammah the Hararite,

Ahiam son of Sharar[j] the Hararite,

34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite,(AB)

Eliam(AC) son of Ahithophel(AD) the Gilonite,

35 Hezro the Carmelite,(AE)

Paarai the Arbite,

36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,(AF)

the son of Hagri,[k]

37 Zelek the Ammonite,

Naharai the Beerothite,(AG) the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

38 Ira the Ithrite,(AH)

Gareb the Ithrite

39 and Uriah(AI) the Hittite.

There were thirty-seven in all.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 23:8 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts suggest Ish-Bosheth, that is, Esh-Baal (see also 1 Chron. 11:11 Jashobeam).
  2. 2 Samuel 23:8 Probably a variant of Hakmonite (see 1 Chron. 11:11)
  3. 2 Samuel 23:8 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:11); Hebrew and other Septuagint manuscripts Three; it was Adino the Eznite who killed eight hundred men
  4. 2 Samuel 23:9 See 1 Chron. 11:13; Hebrew gathered there.
  5. 2 Samuel 23:18 Most Hebrew manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:20); two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac Thirty
  6. 2 Samuel 23:27 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 21:18; 1 Chron. 11:29); Hebrew Mebunnai
  7. 2 Samuel 23:29 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate (see also 1 Chron. 11:30); most Hebrew manuscripts Heleb
  8. 2 Samuel 23:30 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:32) Hurai
  9. 2 Samuel 23:33 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:34); Hebrew does not have son of.
  10. 2 Samuel 23:33 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:35) Sakar
  11. 2 Samuel 23:36 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:38); Hebrew Haggadi

11 this is the list of David’s mighty warriors:(A)

Jashobeam,[a] a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers[b]; 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.(B)

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(C) of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold,(D) 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(E) 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(F) 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,(G) 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.(H) 23 And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits[c] tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod(I) 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(J) the brother of Joab,

Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

27 Shammoth(K) the Harorite,

Helez the Pelonite,

28 Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,

Abiezer(L) from Anathoth,

29 Sibbekai(M) 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(N) the Pirathonite,(O)

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(P) the Hittite,

Zabad(Q) 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,(R)

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.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Possibly a variant of Jashob-Baal
  2. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Or Thirty; some Septuagint manuscripts Three (see also 2 Samuel 23:8)
  3. 1 Chronicles 11:23 That is, about 7 feet 6 inches or about 2.3 meters

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