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2 Samuel 23
Common English Bible

David’s last words

23 These are David’s last words:

This is the declaration of Jesse’s son David,
    the declaration of a man raised high,
    a man anointed by the God of Jacob,
    a man favored by the strong one of Israel.[a]
2 The Lord’s spirit speaks through me;
    his word is on my tongue.
3 Israel’s God has spoken,
    Israel’s rock said to me:
“Whoever rules rightly over people,
    whoever rules in the fear of God,
4     is like the light of sunrise
    on a morning with no clouds,
        like the bright gleam after the rain
        that brings grass from the ground.”
5 Yes, my house is this way with God![b]
    He has made an eternal covenant with me,
    laid out and secure in every detail.
Yes, he provides every one of my victories
    and brings my every desire to pass.
6 But despicable people are like thorns,
    all of them good for nothing,
    because they can’t be carried by hand.
7 No one can touch them,
except with iron bar or the shaft of a spear.
    They must be burned up with fire right on the spot!

David’s warriors

8 These are the names of David’s warriors: Jeshbaal[c] from Hachmon[d] was chief of the Three.[e] He raised his spear[f] against eight hundred, killing them on a single occasion.

9 Next in command was Eleazar, Dodo’s son and Ahohi’s grandson. He was among the three warriors with David when they insulted the Philistines who had gathered there for battle. The Israelites retreated, 10 but he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was weary and stuck to the sword. But the Lord accomplished a great victory that day. The troops then returned to Eleazar, but only to plunder the dead.

11 Next in command was Agee’s son Shammah, who was from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a plot of land full of lentils. The troops fled from the Philistines, 12 but Shammah took a position in the middle of the plot, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. The Lord accomplished a great victory.

13 At harvesttime, three of the thirty chiefs went down and joined David at the fortress[g] of Adullam, while a force of Philistines were camped in the Rephaim Valley. 14 At that time, David was in the fortress, and a Philistine fort was in Bethlehem. 15 David had a craving and said, “If only someone could give me a drink of water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 16 So the three warriors broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it and poured it out to the Lord.

17 “The Lord forbid that I should do that,” he said. “Isn’t this the blood of men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it.

These were the kinds of things the three warriors did.

18 Now Zeruiah’s son Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Thirty.[h] He raised his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and made a name for himself along with the Three. 19 He was the most famous of the Thirty.[i] He became their commander, but he wasn’t among the Three.

20 Jehoiada’s son Benaiah was a hero from Kabzeel who performed great deeds. He killed the two sons[j] of Ariel from Moab. He once went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day. 21 He also killed a giant[k] Egyptian who had a spear in his hand. Benaiah went against him armed with a staff. He grabbed the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 These were the kinds of things Jehoiada’s son Benaiah did. He made a name for himself along with the three warriors. 23 He was famous among the Thirty, but he didn’t become one of the Three. David placed him in command of his own bodyguard.

24 Among the Thirty were:

Asahel, Joab’s brother;

Elhanan, Dodo’s son from Bethlehem;

25 Shammah from Harod;

Elika from Harod;

26 Helez from Pelet;

Ira, Ikkesh’s son from Tekoa;

27 Abiezer from Anathoth;

Mebunnai the Hushathite;

28 Zalmon from Ahoh;

Maharai from Netophah;

29 Heleb, Baanah’s son from Netophah;

Ittai, Ribai’s son from Gibeah in Benjamin;

30 Benaiah from Pirathon;

Hiddai from the Gaash ravines;

31 Abi-albon from the desert plain;

Azmaveth from Bahurim;

32 Eliahba from Shaalbon;

Jashen the Gizonite;[l]

Jonathan, 33 Shammah’s son[m] from Harar;

Ahiam, Sharar’s son from Harar;

34 Eliphelet, Ahasbai’s son from Maacah;

Eliam, Ahithophel’s son from Giloh;

35 Hezro from Carmel;

Paarai from Erab;

36 Igal, Nathan’s son from Zobah;

Bani the Gadite;

37 Zelek the Ammonite;

Naharai from Beeroth, and the armor-bearer for Zeruiah’s son Joab;

38 Ira from Ither;

Gaeb from Ither;

39 and Uriah the Hittite—

thirty-seven in all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 23:1 Or Israel’s favorite singer or the favorite of Israel’s songs
  2. 2 Samuel 23:5 Or Yes, my house is surely with God!
  3. 2 Samuel 23:8 LXXL, OL; MT Josheb-bashebeth; cf 1 Chron 11:11
  4. 2 Samuel 23:8 See 1 Chron 11:11.
  5. 2 Samuel 23:8 LXXL, Vulg; cf 1 Chron 11:11; MT chief of the officers
  6. 2 Samuel 23:8 Cf 1 Chron 11:11; Heb uncertain
  7. 2 Samuel 23:13 Or cave; cf 2 Sam 23:14
  8. 2 Samuel 23:18 Some Heb manuscripts, Syr; MT third or three
  9. 2 Samuel 23:19 Syr; cf 1 Chron 11:25; MT Wasn’t he the most famous of the Three?
  10. 2 Samuel 23:20 LXX; MT lacks sons.
  11. 2 Samuel 23:21 MT handsome; cf 1 Chron 11:23
  12. 2 Samuel 23:32 Cf 1 Chron 11:34; MT Jashen’s sons
  13. 2 Samuel 23:33 LXX; MT lacks son.
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2 Samuel 23
New Living Translation

David’s Last Words

23 These are the last words of David:

“David, the son of Jesse, speaks—
    David, the man who was raised up so high,
David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
    David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.[a]

2 “The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me;
    his words are upon my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke.
    The Rock of Israel said to me:
‘The one who rules righteously,
    who rules in the fear of God,
4 is like the light of morning at sunrise,
    like a morning without clouds,
like the gleaming of the sun
    on new grass after rain.’

5 “Is it not my family God has chosen?
    Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me.
His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail.
    He will ensure my safety and success.
6 But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away,
    for they tear the hand that touches them.
7 One must use iron tools to chop them down;
    they will be totally consumed by fire.”

David’s Mightiest Warriors

8 These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite,[b] who was leader of the Three[c]—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.[d]

9 Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. 10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!

11 Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, 12 but Shammah[e] held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

13 Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. 14 David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.

15 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. 17 “The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men[f] who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

18 Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty.[g] He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three. 19 Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty[h] and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

20 There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior[i] from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions[j] of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. 21 Once, armed only with a club, he killed an imposing Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it. 22 Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors. 23 He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard.

24 Other members of the Thirty included:

Asahel, Joab’s brother;
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
25 Shammah from Harod;
Elika from Harod;
26 Helez from Pelon[k];
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
27 Abiezer from Anathoth;
Sibbecai[l] from Hushah;
28 Zalmon from Ahoah;
Maharai from Netophah;
29 Heled[m] son of Baanah from Netophah;
Ithai[n] son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);
30 Benaiah from Pirathon;
Hurai[o] from Nahale-gaash[p];
31 Abi-albon from Arabah;
Azmaveth from Bahurim;
32 Eliahba from Shaalbon;
the sons of Jashen;
Jonathan 33 son of Shagee[q] from Harar;
Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;
34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah;
Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh;
35 Hezro from Carmel;
Paarai from Arba;
36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah;
Bani from Gad;
37 Zelek from Ammon;
Naharai from Beeroth, the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah;
38 Ira from Jattir;
Gareb from Jattir;
39 Uriah the Hittite.

There were thirty-seven in all.

Footnotes

  1. 23:1 Or the favorite subject of the songs of Israel; or the favorite of the Strong One of Israel.
  2. 23:8a As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:11; Hebrew reads Josheb-basshebeth the Tahkemonite.
  3. 23:8b As in Greek and Latin versions (see also 1 Chr 11:11); the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
  4. 23:8c As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 11:11); the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain, though it might be rendered the Three. It was Adino the Eznite who killed 800 men at one time.
  5. 23:12 Hebrew he.
  6. 23:17 Hebrew Shall I drink the blood of these men?
  7. 23:18 As in a few Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac version; most Hebrew manuscripts read the Three.
  8. 23:19 As in Syriac version; Hebrew reads the Three.
  9. 23:20a Or son of Jehoiada, son of Ish-hai.
  10. 23:20b Hebrew two of Ariel.
  11. 23:26 As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:27 (see also 1 Chr 27:10); Hebrew reads from Palti.
  12. 23:27 As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 11:29); Hebrew reads Mebunnai.
  13. 23:29a As in some Hebrew manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 11:30); most Hebrew manuscripts read Heleb.
  14. 23:29b As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:31; Hebrew reads Ittai.
  15. 23:30a As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 11:32); Hebrew reads Hiddai.
  16. 23:30b Or from the ravines of Gaash.
  17. 23:33 As in parallel text at 1 Chr 11:34; Hebrew reads Jonathan, Shammah; some Greek manuscripts read Jonathan son of Shammah.
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撒母耳记下 23
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)

大卫的遗言

23 耶西的儿子大卫是雅各的上帝膏立的王，他身居高位，在以色列能歌善咏。以下是他的遗言：

2 “耶和华的灵借着我说话，
祂的言语在我口中。
3 以色列的上帝告诉我，
以色列的磐石对我说，
‘以公义治理人民，
敬畏上帝的君王，
4 就像黎明的曙光、
晴朗的早晨，
又像雨后的光辉，
使大地长出青草。’
5 我的家在上帝面前不正是如此吗？
上帝与我立下永远的约，
这约稳妥可靠。
祂必拯救我，成全我的愿望。
6 但恶人要像荆棘一样被丢弃，
没人用手碰他们，
7 人要拿铁器和长矛把他们收集起来焚毁。”

大卫的勇士

8 以下是大卫的勇士：他革扪人约设·巴设，又称伊斯尼人亚底挪，是三勇士之首，曾在一场交战中杀掉八百敌人。

9 其次是亚合人朵多的儿子以利亚撒，他是三勇士之一。有一次，以色列人和非利士人打仗，他跟随大卫向非利士人骂阵。以色列军队都撤退了， 10 他却坚守阵地，奋勇杀敌，直到手臂发麻，握刀的手无法松开。那天，耶和华使以色列人大获全胜。以色列军队回到以利亚撒那里来捡死人的财物。 11 第三位勇士是哈拉人亚基的儿子沙玛。有一次非利士人聚集在一块长满扁豆的田中和以色列人打仗，以色列人都逃跑了， 12 沙玛却站在田中间击杀敌人，保卫了那块田。那次，耶和华使以色列人大获全胜。

13 在收割的时候，非利士军兵在利乏音谷扎营，三十勇士中的三位到亚杜兰洞见大卫。 14 那时大卫留守在堡垒里，非利士人的驻军在伯利恒。 15 大卫渴了，说：“真想喝一些伯利恒城门旁的井水！” 16 这三位勇士就冲过非利士人的营地，到伯利恒城门旁的井打水，带回来给大卫。大卫却不肯喝，他把水浇奠在耶和华面前， 17 说：“耶和华啊！这三人冒死去打水，这些水就像是他们的血，我决不能喝！”因此，大卫不肯喝。这是三勇士的事迹。

18 洗鲁雅的儿子、约押的兄弟亚比筛是这三位[a]勇士的统领，他曾挥矛刺死三百人，在三勇士中出了名， 19 最有声望，因此做了他们的统领，只是不及前三位勇士。

20 甲薛人耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅是位勇士，做过非凡的事。他曾杀死摩押的两个勇猛战士，也曾在下雪天跳进坑中杀死一头狮子， 21 还杀死了一个埃及勇士。当时埃及人拿着长矛，比拿雅拿着棍子迎战，他夺了对方的长矛，用那矛刺死了对方。 22 这是耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅的事迹，他在三个勇士中出了名。 23 他比三十勇士更有声望，只是不及前三位勇士。大卫封他为护卫长。

24 三十勇士中有：约押的兄弟亚撒黑、伯利恒人朵多的儿子伊勒哈难、 25 哈律人沙玛、哈律人以利加、 26 帕勒提人希利斯、提哥亚人益吉的儿子以拉、 27 亚拿突人亚比以谢、户沙人米本乃、 28 亚合人撒们、尼陀法人玛哈莱、 29 尼陀法人巴拿的儿子希立、便雅悯支派基比亚人利拜的儿子以太、 30 比拉顿人比拿雅、迦实溪人希太、 31 伯·亚拉巴人亚比亚本、巴鲁米人押斯玛弗、 32 沙本人以利雅哈巴、雅善的儿子们、哈拉人沙玛的儿子约拿单、 33 哈拉人沙拉的儿子亚希暗、 34 玛迦人亚哈拜的儿子以利法列、基罗人亚希多弗的儿子以连、 35 迦密人希斯莱、亚巴人帕莱、 36 琐巴人拿单的儿子以甲、迦得人巴尼、 37 亚扪人洗勒、为洗鲁雅的儿子约押拿兵器的比录人拿哈莱、 38 以帖人以拉、以帖人迦立、 39 赫人乌利亚，共三十七名勇士。

Footnotes

  1. 23:18 “三位”有些希伯来文抄本作“三十位”。
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2 Samuel 23
New International Version

David’s Last Words

23 These are the last words of David:

“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
    the utterance of the man exalted(A) by the Most High,
the man anointed(B) by the God of Jacob,
    the hero of Israel’s songs:

2 “The Spirit(C) of the Lord spoke through me;
    his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
    the Rock(D) of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,(E)
    when he rules in the fear(F) of God,(G)
4 he is like the light(H) of morning(I) at sunrise(J)
    on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain(K)
    that brings grass from the earth.’

5 “If my house were not right with God,
    surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,(L)
    arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
    and grant me my every desire.
6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,(M)
    which are not gathered with the hand.
7 Whoever touches thorns
    uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
    they are burned up where they lie.”

David’s Mighty Warriors(N)

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

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

9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai(Q) the Ahohite.(R) 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,(S) while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.(T) 14 At that time David was in the stronghold,(U) and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem.(V) 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(W) it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood(X) 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(Y) 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(Z) son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel,(AA) 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(AB) the brother of Joab,

Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

25 Shammah the Harodite,(AC)

Elika the Harodite,

26 Helez(AD) the Paltite,

Ira(AE) son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,

27 Abiezer(AF) from Anathoth,(AG)

Sibbekai[f] the Hushathite,

28 Zalmon the Ahohite,

Maharai(AH) the Netophathite,(AI)

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

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

30 Benaiah the Pirathonite,(AL)

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

31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite,

Azmaveth the Barhumite,(AN)

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,(AO)

Eliam(AP) son of Ahithophel(AQ) the Gilonite,

35 Hezro the Carmelite,(AR)

Paarai the Arbite,

36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,(AS)

the son of Hagri,[k]

37 Zelek the Ammonite,

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

38 Ira the Ithrite,(AU)

Gareb the Ithrite

39 and Uriah(AV) the Hittite.

There were thirty-seven in all.

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
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