Thematic Bible
2 Samuel 23:1 (show verse)
These are the last words of David: Here is the declaration by David, son of Jesse. The declaration by the man whom God raised up, whom the God of Jacob anointed, the singer of Israel's psalms:
2 Samuel 23:2 (show verse)
The Spirit of Jehovah spoke through me. His word was on my tongue.
2 Samuel 23:3 (show verse)
The God of Israel has spoken. The protector of Israel said to me: 'The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God.
2 Samuel 23:4 (show verse)
He is like the sun shining on a cloudless day. The sun that makes the grass sparkle after rain.
2 Samuel 23:5 (show verse)
That is how God will bless my descendants. He made an eternal covenant with me. It is an agreement that will not be broken, a promise that will not be changed. That is all I desire. That will be my victory, and God will surely bring it about.
2 Samuel 23:6 (show verse)
All the evildoers will be like thorns to be pushed away. They may not be gripped in the hand:
2 Samuel 23:7 (show verse)
But with a sharp spear. They are burned on the spot.'
2 Samuel 23:8 (show verse)
These are the names of David's warriors: Ishbosheth son of Hachmon was the leader of the Three Warriors. In one battle, he killed eight hundred men with his spear.
2 Samuel 23:9 (show verse)
The next one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite. One time when the Philistines were at war with Israel, he and David dared the Philistines to fight them. Every one of the Israelite soldiers turned and ran.
2 Samuel 23:10 (show verse)
Eleazar was the exception. He killed Philistines until his hand was cramped. He could not let go of his sword. When Eleazar finished, all the Israelite troops had to do was come back and take the enemies' weapons and armor. Jehovah gave Israel a great victory that day.
2 Samuel 23:11 (show verse)
Next in rank to him was Shammah, the son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of ripe lentils. When the troops fled from the Philistines,
2 Samuel 23:12 (show verse)
he stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So Jehovah won an impressive victory.
2 Samuel 23:13 (show verse)
At harvest time three of the thirty leading men came to David at the cave of Adullam when a troop from the Philistine army was camping in the valley of Rephaim.
2 Samuel 23:14 (show verse)
David was on a fortified hill. A group of Philistines occupied Bethlehem.
2 Samuel 23:15 (show verse)
David grew homesick. He said: I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem!
2 Samuel 23:16 (show verse)
The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp. They then drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it. He poured it out as an offering to Jehovah.
2 Samuel 23:17 (show verse)
David said: Jehovah, I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives! So he refused to drink it. Those were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers.
2 Samuel 23:18 (show verse)
Joab's brother Abishai led the Thirty Warriors. In one battle he killed three hundred men with his spear. He was as famous as the Three Warriors.
2 Samuel 23:19 (show verse)
In fact he was just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. He was the commander of the Thirty Warriors. Yet he still did not become one of the Three Warriors.
2 Samuel 23:20 (show verse)
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave man from Kabzeel who did some amazing things. He killed two of Moab's best fighters. On a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.
2 Samuel 23:21 (show verse)
He killed an Egyptian as big as a giant. The Egyptian was armed with a spear. Benaiah only had a club. Benaiah grabbed the spear from the Egyptian and killed him with it.
2 Samuel 23:22 (show verse)
Benaiah never became one of the Three Warriors. He was just as famous as they were and certainly just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. David made him the leader of his bodyguard.
2 Samuel 23:23 (show verse)
He was honored over the rest of the Thirty Warriors. But he was not equal to the first three. David made him in charge over the fighting men who kept him safe.
2 Samuel 23:24 (show verse)
One of the thirty was Joab's brother Asahel. The thirty leading men were Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,
2 Samuel 23:25 (show verse)
Shammah from Harod, Elika from Harod,
2 Samuel 23:26 (show verse)
Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,
2 Samuel 23:27 (show verse)
Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai son of Hushai,
2 Samuel 23:28 (show verse)
Zalmon descendant of Ahohi, Maharai from Netophah,
2 Samuel 23:29 (show verse)
Heleb son of Baanah from Netophah, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,
2 Samuel 23:30 (show verse)
Benaiah from Pirathon, Hiddai from the Gaash ravines,
2 Samuel 23:31 (show verse)
Abi Albon from Beth Arabah, Azmaveth from Bahurim,
2 Samuel 23:32 (show verse)
Elihba from Shaalbon, Bene Jashen,
2 Samuel 23:33 (show verse)
Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,
2 Samuel 23:34 (show verse)
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai and grandson of a man from Maacah, Eliam son of Ahithophel from Gilo,
2 Samuel 23:35 (show verse)
Hezrai from Carmel, Paarai from Arabah,
2 Samuel 23:36 (show verse)
Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani from the tribe of Gad,
2 Samuel 23:37 (show verse)
Zelek from Ammon, Naharai from Beeroth, armorbearer for Zeruiah's son Joab,
2 Samuel 23:38 (show verse)
Ira descendant of Ithra, Gareb descendant of Ithra,
2 Samuel 23:39 (show verse)
and Uriah the Hittite, thirty-seven in all.