Print Page Options

23 Here are the last words of David, son of Jesse: the words of the one raised up, the anointed one of Jacob’s True God, the sweet songwriter of Israel.

David: The Spirit of the Eternal speaks through me;
        His voice emerges from my mouth.
    The God of Israel has talked to me;
        and the Rock of Israel said,
    “One who rules people with justice
        and who leads them in the fear of God
    Is like the morning light,
        the sun rising on a cloudless morning,
        and the shining grasslands brought up from rain.”

    Isn’t this how God has raised up my house?
        Because He has made a perpetual covenant with me,
        well-ordered and secure,
    Won’t He make all things to grow and prosper,
        save me, and give me all I desire?
    But the wicked are like thorns cut off and tossed away
        that can’t be picked up with your hands;
    No, to touch them, use the iron tip
        on the shaft of a spear.
        They are burned up on the spot.

David has been brought up from his position as a lowly shepherd, the youngest son in the household, to the pinnacle of success by his faith in God and his own willingness to follow God. It has been an adventure fraught with danger and intrigue, and marked with loss and heartbreak along the way. David’s own failings find themselves reflected—and magnified—in his children. But here is one of the high points of the story of the people of God, united at last under a powerful and beloved king, and victorious against their enemies.

Here is a list of the warriors who fought for David:

Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was the most powerful of David’s three most-honored warriors; he took up his spear[a] and killed 800 in one battle.

The next of David’s three mighty men was Eleazar, son of Dodo of Ahohi. Eleazar stood with David when they defied the Philistines who had gathered there to fight. The Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground. He killed Philistine soldiers that day until his arm grew tired, but he never dropped his sword. The Eternal One gave them a decisive victory that day; and then the people came back, only to pillage the fallen.

11 Last of these top three was Shammah, son of Agee of Harar. The Philistines gathered at Lehi[b] where there was a field full of lentils, and the Israelites fled from them. 12 But Shammah stood in the center of the field and fought, killing many Philistines; and the Eternal gave His people a great victory.

13 At the beginning of harvest, these top three of David’s thirty chief warriors joined David at the cave of Adullam. A group of Philistines was camped in the valley of Rephaim, 14 David was hiding in his safe place, and the main force of the Philistines was quartered in Bethlehem.

David (with longing): 15 I wish someone would bring me some water to drink from the well of Bethlehem by the gate!

16 So these three mighty men broke through the nearby camp of the Philistines, drew water from the Bethlehem well that was by the gate, and brought it back for David. But he would not drink it; instead he poured it out, although he was parched with thirst, as a drink offering to the Eternal One.

David: 17 O Eternal God, I have no right to drink this water. It would be like drinking the blood of the men who risked their lives for it!

So he did not drink it. This is the kind of thing the three mighty men did for David.

18 Besides the three highest ranking soldiers, there was Abishai (Zeruiah’s son and the brother of Joab), who was commander of the elite force of 30.[c] With his spear he killed 300 men in battle and won honor as the three did. 19 Abishai was the most honored of the 30 and became their commander, but he did not become one of the three.

20 And there was Benaiah (Jehoiada’s son), son of a great man from Kabzeel, who also did great deeds. He struck down two lionhearted heroes of Moab. Benaiah also killed a lion in a pit one snowy day, 21 and he killed an Egyptian who was a powerful-looking man. The Egyptian was armed with a spear while Benaiah had only his staff, but he took the spear away from him and killed the Egyptian with his own weapon. 22 These were the kinds of feats Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, performed that won him a name equal to the three mighty men for bravery. 23 He was famous among the 30, but never became one of the three. David made him the captain of his personal guard.

24 These are the warriors who were counted among the 30: Asahel, Joab’s brother; Elhanan, son of Dodo of Bethlehem; 25 Shammah of Harod; Elika of Harod; 26 Helez the Paltite; Ira, son of Ikkesh of Tekoa; 27 Abiezer of Anathoth; Mebunnai the Hushathite; 28 Zalmon the Ahohite; Maharai of Netophah; 29 Heleb, son of Baanah of Netophah; Ittai, son of Ribai of Gibeah in Benjamin; 30 Benaiah of Pirathon; Hiddai of the waters of Gaash; 31 Abi-albon the Arbathite; Azmaveth of Barhum; 32 Eliahba of Shaalbon; Jashen the Gimzonite; Jonathan, son of 33 Shammah of Harar; Ahiam, son of Sharar of Harar; 34 Eliphelet, son of Ahasbai of Maacah; Eliam, son of Ahithophel the Gilonite; 35 Hezro of Carmel; Paarai the Arbite; 36 Igal, son of Nathan of Zobah; Bani the Gadite; 37 Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai of Beeroth; the armor-bearer of Joab, Zeruiah’s son; 38 Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite; 39 Uriah the Hittite—37 men in all who were counted among the 30.

Footnotes

  1. 23:8 Hebrew is very difficult; some read, “Adino the Eznite.”
  2. 23:11 Or, “as a troop”
  3. 23:18 1 Chronicles 11:20–21

Erayadii Ugu Dambeeyey Ee Daa'uud

23 Haddaba erayadanu waa kuwii ugu dambeeyey oo Daa'uud.

Daa'uud ina Yesay wuxuu leeyahay,
Ninkii kor loo qaadayna wuxuu leeyahay,
Kaasoo ah kii Ilaaha Yacquub subkay,
Ee ugu sabuur macaan reer binu Israa'iil oo dhan:
Rabbiga ruuxiisii baa iga dhex hadlay,
Oo eraygiisiina carrabkayguu saarnaa.
Ilaaha reer binu Israa'iil baa yidhi,
Oo Dhagaxii weynaa ee reer binu Israa'iil ayaa ila hadlay, isagoo leh,
Waxaa jiri doona mid dadka si xaq ah ugu taliya,
Oo Ilaah cabsidiisa wax ku xukuma,
Kaasu wuxuu ahaan doonaa sida iftiinka subaxdii, marka qorraxdu soo baxdo,
Iyo sida aroor aan cadar ahayn;
Markuu doog jilicsanu dhulka ka soo baxo,
Oo uu bayaan u dhalaalayo roobka dabadiis.
Sida runta ah reerkaygu xagga Ilaah saas kuma aha;
Laakiinse axdi aan weligiis dhammaanayn ayuu ila dhigtay,
Oo wax kastaba wuu hagaajiyey, wuuna adkeeyey;
Oo in kastoo uusan soo bixin weliba waa badbaadadayda oo dhan iyo doonistayda oo dhanba.
Laakiinse kuwa waxmatarayaasha ah dhammaantood waxay noqonayaan sidii qodxanta layska tuuro,
Waayo, iyaga gacanta laguma qaadi karo;
Laakiinse ninkii iyaga taabta
Waa in hub looga dhigaa bir iyo waran samaydiisa;
Oo iyana dhammaantood meeshoodaa lagu gubi doonaa.

Nimankii Xoogga Badnaa Ee Daa'uud

Kuwanu waa magacyadii nimankii xoogga badnaa oo Daa'uud haystay: Yoshebbashebed oo ahaa reer Taxkemon, oo saraakiisha madax u ahaa, kaasoo ahaa Cadiinoo kii reer Cesen, oo warankiisa u qaaday siddeedda boqol oo isku mar qudha dilay. Oo kaas dabadiisna waxaa jiray Elecaasaar ina Dooday, oo ahaa reer Axoo'ax, oo kaasu wuxuu ahaa saddexdii nin oo Daa'uud la jirtay midkood, markay caayeen reer Falastiin oo halkaas isugu urursaday inay la diriraan, oo ay dadkii reer binu Israa'iilna mar hore sii tageen. 10 Wuu kacay, oo laayay reer Falastiin ilaa ay gacantii daashay, oo gacantii seeftii ku dhegtay; oo Rabbiguna maalintaas aad buu u guuleeyey, markaasaa dadkiina u soo noqdeen inay wax dhacaan oo keliya. 11 Oo isaga dabadiisna waxaa jiray Shammaah oo ahaa ina Agee oo qoladiisuna ahayd reer Haraarii. Oo reer Falastiinna waxay isu soo wada urursadeen inay soo dhacaan meel misir ka buuxo, oo dadkiina waxay ka carareen reer Falastiin. 12 Laakiinse isagu beertuu isdhex taagay oo daafacay, wuuna laayay reer Falastiin; oo Rabbiguna aad buu u guuleeyey. 13 Oo soddonkii madaxda ahaa saddex ka mid ah ayaa tegey, oo Daa'uud ugu yimid godkii Cadullaam xilligii beergooyska; oo colkii reer Falastiinna waxay soo degeen dooxadii Refaa'iim. 14 Oo markaas Daa'uud wuxuu ku jiray dhufayska, oo ciidankii reer Falastiin xeradooduna waxay ahayd Beytlaxam. 15 Oo Daa'uud intuu biyo u xiisooday ayuu yidhi, Waxaan jeclaan lahaa in biyo layga siiyo ceelka Beytlaxam ee iridda ku ag yaal! 16 Markaasaa saddexdii nin ee xoogga badnaa ayaa dhex maray ciidankii reer Falastiin, oo waxay biyo ka soo dhaamiyeen ceelkii Beytlaxam ee iridda ku ag yiil, oo intay soo qaadeen ayay Daa'uud u keeneen, laakiinse wuu diiday inuu ka cabbo biyahaas, Rabbiguuse u daadshay. 17 Oo wuxuu yidhi, Rabbiyow, Ha iga fogaato inaan saas yeelo; ma waxaan cabbaa dhiiggii raggii naftooda biimeeyey? Sidaas daraaddeed wuu diiday inuu cabbo. Oo saddexdii nin oo xoogga badnaana saasay yeeleen. 18 Oo saddexdoodana waxaa madax u ahaa Abiishay oo ahaa Yoo'aab walaalkiis, oo ay Seruuyaah dhashay. Oo kaasu wuxuu waran u qaatay saddex boqol oo nin, wuuna wada laayay, saddexdiina magac buu ku lahaa. 19 Isagu miyaanu saddexdooda ugu ciso badnayn? Sidaas daraaddeed waxaa looga dhigay sirkaal, habase yeeshee saddexdii hore ma uu gaadhin. 20 Oo Benaayaah ina Yehooyaadaac, oo uu dhalay nin xoog weyn oo reer Qabse'eel ahu, kaasoo sameeyey falimo waaweyn, wuxuu dilay labadii wiil oo Arii'eel kii reer Moo'aab, oo haddana wuu tegey oo libaax buu god ku dhex dilay wakhtiga barafka, 21 oo wuxuu kaloo dilay nin Masri ah oo dheer, oo Masriguna wuxuu gacanta ku haystay waran, laakiinse isagu wuxuu ula tegey ul, oo warankii ka dhufsaday gacantii Masriga, oo isagii ku dilay warankiisii. 22 Oo waxyaalahan waxaa sameeyey Benaayaah ina Yehooyaadaac, oo isna saddexdii nin ee xoogga badnaa magac buu ku lahaa. 23 Oo weliba isagu wuu ka ciso badnaa soddonka, laakiinse ma uu gaadhin saddexdii hore. Oo Daa'uudna wuxuu isaga madax uga dhigay lataliyayaashiisii.

24 Oo soddonka waxaa ka mid ahaa Casaaheel oo Yoo'aab walaalkiis ahaa, iyo Elxaanaan oo ahaa ina Doodoo oo reer Beytlaxam ahaa, 25 iyo Shammaah oo ahaa reer Xarod, iyo Eliiqaa oo ahaa reer Xarod, 26 iyo Xeles oo ahaa reer Faltii, iyo Ciiraa ina Ciqeesh oo ahaa reer Teqooca, 27 iyo Abiiceser oo ahaa reer Canaatood, iyo Mebunnay oo ahaa reer Xushaad; 28 iyo Salmoon oo ahaa reer Axoo'ax, iyo Maharay oo ahaa reer Netofaah, 29 iyo Xeeleb ina Bacanaah oo ahaa reer Netofaah, iyo Itay ina Riibay oo ahaa reer Gibecaah oo qoladiisu ahayd reer Benyaamiin; 30 iyo Benaayaah oo ahaa reer Fircaatoon, iyo Xidday oo ka yimid durdurradii Gacash; 31 iyo Abiicalboon oo ahaa reer Caraabaah, iyo Casmaawed oo ahaa reer Barxum; 32 iyo Elyaxbaa oo ahaa reer Shacalbiim, iyo wiilashii Yaasheen, Yoonaataan, 33 iyo Shammaah oo ahaa reer Haraarii, iyo Axiyaam ina Shaaraar oo ahaa reer Araarii; 34 iyo Eliifeled ina Axasbay, oo ahaa wiilkii kii reer Macakaah, iyo Eliicaam ina Axiitofel oo ahaa reer Giloh; 35 iyo Xesroo oo ahaa reer Karmel, iyo Facaray oo ahaa reer Araab; 36 iyo Yigaal ina Naataan oo ahaa reer Soobaah, iyo Baanii oo ahaa reer Gaad; 37 iyo Seleq oo ahaa reer Cammoon, iyo Naxaray oo ahaa reer Bi'irod, iyo kuwii gaashaanka u qaadi jiray Yoo'aab oo ay Seruuyaah dhashay; 38 iyo Ciiraa oo ahaa reer Yeter, iyo Gaareeb oo ahaa reer Yeter, 39 iyo Uuriyaah oo ahaa reer Xeed; oo kulligoodna waxay ahaayeen toddoba iyo soddon.

23 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:

But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.

These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:

10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.

12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.

13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.

17 And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.

19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.

20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:

21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.

23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,

26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,

28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,

30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,

31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,

33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,

34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,

36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,

37 Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,

38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,

39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

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:

“The Spirit(C) of the Lord spoke through me;
    his word was on my tongue.
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)
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.’

“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.
But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,(M)
    which are not gathered with the hand.
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)

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.

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

David’s Last Words

23 Now these are the last words of David.

Thus says David the son of Jesse;
Thus says (A)the man raised up on high,
(B)The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:

“The(C) Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
The God of Israel said,
(D)The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
‘He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling (E)in the fear of God.
And (F)he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain.’

“Although my house is not so with God,
(G)Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant,
Ordered in all things and secure.
For this is all my salvation and all my desire;
Will He not make it increase?
But the sons of rebellion shall all be as thorns thrust away,
Because they cannot be taken with hands.
But the man who touches them
Must be [a]armed with iron and the shaft of a spear,
And they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place.”

David’s Mighty Men(H)

These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: [b]Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among [c]the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time. And after him was (I)Eleazar the son of [d]Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. 10 He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was (J)weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to (K)plunder. 11 And after him was (L)Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. (M)The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

13 Then (N)three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at (O)the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in (P)the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in (Q)the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord. 17 And he said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not (R)the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it.

These things were done by the three mighty men.

18 Now (S)Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of [e]another three. He lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three. 19 Was he not the most honored of three? Therefore he became their captain. However, he did not attain to the first three.

20 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from (T)Kabzeel, [f]who had done many deeds. (U)He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 21 And he killed an Egyptian, [g]a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. 22 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men. 23 He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him (V)over his guard.

24 (W)Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 (X)Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah (the Netophathite), Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai from the brooks of (Y)Gaash, 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite (of the sons of Jashen), Jonathan, 33 (Z)Shammah the [h]Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of (AA)Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 [i]Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of (AB)Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite (armorbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah), 38 (AC)Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 and (AD)Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 23:7 Lit. filled
  2. 2 Samuel 23:8 Lit. One Who Sits in the Seat (1 Chr. 11:11)
  3. 2 Samuel 23:8 So with MT, Tg.; LXX, Vg. the three
  4. 2 Samuel 23:9 Dodai, 1 Chr. 27:4
  5. 2 Samuel 23:18 So with MT, LXX, Vg.; some Heb. mss., Syr. thirty; Tg. the mighty men
  6. 2 Samuel 23:20 Lit. great of acts
  7. 2 Samuel 23:21 Lit. a man of appearance
  8. 2 Samuel 23:33 Or Ararite
  9. 2 Samuel 23:35 Hezro, 1 Chr. 11:37