23 These are David's last words. The God that Jacob worshipped made Jesse's son David great. God chose him to rule Israel as king. He also wrote beautiful songs for the Israelites. This is David's message:
2 ‘The Spirit of the Lord gives me his message.
I speak what he tells me to say.
3 Israel's God has spoken.
The one who keeps Israel safe said to me,
“A king should rule over people in a way that is right and fair.
He should show that he respects and obeys God.
4 A king who rules like that is like the light of the sun at dawn.
He is like the sky when it has no clouds in it in the morning.
He is like bright sun after rain,
that helps the grass to grow strongly.”
5 That is how God will bless my descendants.
He has made a promise to me that will continue for ever.
It is a strong promise that will never change.
I know that he will always help me.
He will do for me everything that I hope for.
6 But God will remove all wicked people.
He will throw them away like weeds.
They are like thorn bushes
that you cannot pull out with your hands.
7 You need an iron tool or a spear to remove them.
Then you burn them completely in a fire.’
8 These are the names of David's bravest soldiers:
Josheb-Basshebeth was the leader of the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’. He belonged to Tahkemon's clan. He used his spear to fight against 800 men in one battle and he killed them all.
9 Another of the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’ was Dodai's son, Eleazar. He belonged to Ahoh's clan. He was with David at Pas-Dammim when they insulted the Philistine soldiers before a battle. [ a ] The Israelite soldiers ran away from the fight, 10 but Eleazar stood there. He knocked down the Philistine soldiers until his hand became tired. It became fixed to his sword. On that day, the Lord caused him to win a great battle. When the other Israelite soldiers returned to help him, they took things from the dead Philistines. That was the only thing left for them to do.
11 The third of the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’ was Shammah, the son of Agee, who belonged to Harar's clan. The Philistine soldiers had come together in a field of beans. The Israelite soldiers ran away from them. 12 But Shammah stood in the middle of the field to stop the Philistines taking it for themselves. He killed the Philistines. The Lord caused him to win a great battle.
13 At the time of the harvest, three of David's 30 bravest soldiers went to be with David near Adullam. He was hiding there in a cave. A group of Philistine soldiers had made their camp in Rephaim valley. 14 David was in his strong safe place. A group of Philistine soldiers had made their home in Bethlehem. 15 David was very thirsty. He said, ‘I want someone to bring water from the well near Bethlehem's gate for me to drink.’ 16 So the three brave soldiers fought through the Philistine camp and they reached Bethlehem's gate. They took some water from the well there and they carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it. He poured it on the ground as an offering to the Lord . 17 He said, ‘ Lord , it is not right for me to drink this water. It would seem like the blood of the men who fetched it for me. The Philistines might have killed them on the way.’ So David refused to drink it.
Those were some of the great things that the three brave soldiers did.
18 Abishai was the leader of David's 30 great soldiers. He was the brother of Zeruiah's son Joab. One time, he used his spear to fight 300 men and he killed them all. So he became as famous as the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’. 19 He was not one of the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’ but he received more honour than the other 30 great soldiers. So he became their leader.
20 Jehoiada's son, Benaiah, was also one of David's brave soldiers. He came from Kabzeel and he did many great things. He killed two of Moab's best soldiers. He also went down into a deep hole to kill a lion when snow was on the ground. 21 Benaiah also killed a great Egyptian man who held a spear. Benaiah attacked him with a heavy stick. He took the spear from the Egyptian's hand and he used it to kill him. 22 Those were some things that Jehoiada's son Benaiah did. He became as famous as the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’. 23 He received more honour than the other 30 great soldiers, but he did not belong to the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’. David made him the leader of his own special soldiers who were his guards.
24 These men were among David's 30 great soldiers: [ b ]
Joab's brother Asahel,
Elhanan, Dodo's son, from Bethlehem,
25 Shammah and Elika, from Harod's clan,
26 Helez, from Pelet,
Ira, Ikkesh's son, from Tekoa,
27 Abiezer, from Anathoth,
Mebunnai, from Hushah's clan,
28 Zalmon, from Ahoh's clan,
Maharai, from Netophah,
29 Heleb, Baanah's son, from Netophah,
Ittai, Ribai's son, from Gibeah in the land that belonged to Benjamin's tribe,
30 Benaiah, from Pirathon,
Hiddai, from the valleys near Gaash,
31 Abi-Albon from Arabah's clan,
Azmaveth, from Bahurim,
32 Eliahba, from Shaalbon,
Jashen's sons,
Jonathan, 33 Shammah's son, from Harar,
Ahiam, Sharar's son, from Harar,
34 Eliphelet, Ahasbai's son, from Maakah,
Eliam, Ahithophel's son, from Gilo,
35 Hezro, from Carmel,
Paarai, from Arba,
36 Igal, Nathan's son, from Zobah,
Bani, who belonged to Gad's tribe,
37 Zelek, from Ammon,
Naharai, from Beeroth (he carried Joab's weapons),
38 Ira and Gareb, from Jattir,
39 and Uriah the Hittite.
There were 37 great soldiers if you count them all. [ c ]
23 These are the last words of David:
“This message is from David son of Jesse.
This message is from the man God made great.
He is the king chosen by the God of Jacob,
the sweet singer of Israel. [ a ]
2 The Lord ’s Spirit spoke through me.
His word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke.
The Rock of Israel said to me,
‘Whoever rules people fairly,
who rules with respect for God,
4 is like the morning light at dawn,
like a morning without clouds.
He is like sunshine after a rain
that makes tender grass grow from the ground.’
5 “God made my family strong and secure. [ b ]
He made an agreement with me forever.
God made sure this agreement was
good and secure in every way.
So surely he will give me every victory.
He will give me everything I want!
6 “But evil people are like thorns.
People don’t hold thorns.
They throw them away.
7 If someone touches them,
it hurts like a spear made of wood and iron.
Yes, evil people are like thorns.
They will be thrown into the fire,
and they will be completely burned.”
8 These are the names of David’s special soldiers:
Josheb Basshebeth the Tahkemonite [ c ] was captain of the king’s special forces. [ d ] He used his spear to kill 800 men at one time. [ e ]
9 Next, there was Eleazar son of Dodai [ f ] who was there with David when he challenged the Philistines who had gathered for battle. The Israelites ran away, 10 but Eleazar stood and fought the Philistines until his hand became so tired that it cramped around his sword handle. The Lord won a great victory that day. The people of Israel came back, but only to take things from the dead.
11 Next there was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines came together to fight. They fought in a field of lentils. [ g ] The people ran away from the Philistines. 12 But Shammah stood in the middle of the field and defended it. He defeated the Philistines. The Lord gave Israel a great victory that day.
13 Once during harvest time David was at the cave of Adullam, and three of the Thirty Heroes [ h ] went down to meet him there. At the same time the Philistine army was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. [ i ]
14 Another time David was in the fortress, and a group of Philistines soldiers was stationed in Bethlehem. 15 David was thirsty for some water from his hometown, so he said, “Oh, if only I could have some water from that well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 16 So the Three Heroes [ j ] fought their way through the Philistine army and got some water from the well near the city gate in Bethlehem. They took it to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it on the ground as an offering to the Lord . 17 David said, “ Lord , I cannot drink this water. It would be like drinking the blood of the men who risked their lives for me.” This is why David refused to drink the water. The Three Heroes did many brave things like that.
18 Abishai was the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah. Abishai was the leader of the Three Heroes. He used his spear against 300 enemies and killed them. He became as famous as the Three. 19 Abishai was as famous as the Three Heroes. He became their leader, even though he was not one of them.
20 Then there was Benaiah son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel. He was the son of a powerful man. [ k ] Benaiah did many brave things. He killed two of the best soldiers in Moab. One day when it was snowing, Benaiah went down into a hole in the ground and killed a lion. 21 Benaiah also killed a big Egyptian soldier. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, and Benaiah only had a club. He grabbed the spear in the Egyptian’s hands and took it away from him. Then Benaiah killed the Egyptian with his own spear. 22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada did many more brave things like that. He was as famous as the Three Heroes. 23 Benaiah was even more famous than the Thirty Heroes, but he did not become a member of the Three Heroes. David made Benaiah the leader of his bodyguards.
24 The following men were among the Thirty Heroes:
Asahel, the brother of Joab;
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
25 Shammah the Harodite;
Elika the Harodite;
26 Helez the Paltite;
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
27 Abiezer from Anathoth;
Mebunnai the Hushathite;
28 Zalmon the Ahohite;
Maharai from Netophah;
29 Heled son of Baanah from Netophah;
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of Benjamin;
30 Benaiah the Pirathonite;
Hiddai from the Brooks of Gaash;
31 Abi Albon the Arbathite;
Azmaveth the Barhumite;
32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite;
the sons of Jashen;
Jonathan 33 the son of Shammah from Harar;
Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;
34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite;
Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite;
35 Hezro the Carmelite;
Paarai the Arbite;
36 Igal son of Nathan of Zobah;
Bani the Gadite;
37 Zelek the Ammonite;
Naharai from Beeroth (Naharai carried the armor for Joab son of Zeruiah);
38 Ira the Ithrite;
Gareb the Ithrite;
39 and Uriah the Hittite.
There were 37 in all.
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,
2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3 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.
4 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.
5 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.
6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.
23 Now these are the last words of David.
David the son of Jesse declares,
( A ) The man who was raised on high,
( B ) The anointed of the God of Jacob
And the sweet psalmist of Israel, declares,
2 “ ( C ) The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me,
And His word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said it ;
( D ) The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
‘ ( E ) He who rules over mankind righteously,
( F ) Who rules in the fear of God,
4 ( G ) Is like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
When the fresh grass springs out of the earth
From sunshine after rain.’
5 Is my house not indeed so with God?
For ( H ) He has made an everlasting covenant with me,
Properly ordered in all things, and secured;
For will He not indeed make
All my salvation and all my delight grow?
6 ( I ) But the worthless, every one of them, are like scattered thorns,
Because they cannot be taken in hand;
7 Instead, the man who touches them
Must be [ a ] armed with iron and the shaft of a spear,
And ( J ) they will be completely burned with fire in their [ b ] place.”
8 ( K ) These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth, a Tahchemonite, chief of the [ c ] captains; he was called Adino the Eznite because of eight hundred who were killed by him at one time. 9 And after him was Eleazar the son of ( L ) Dodo the ( M ) Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there to battle and the men of Israel had [ d ] withdrawn. 10 ( N ) He rose up and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and [ e ] it clung to the sword, and ( O ) the Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder the dead .
11 Now after him was Shammah the son of Agee, a ( P ) Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered [ f ] into an army where there was a plot of land full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it, and struck the Philistines; and ( Q ) the Lord brought about a great victory.
13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David at harvest time to the ( R ) cave of Adullam, while the army of the Philistines was camping in ( S ) the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then ( T ) in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And ( U ) David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate!” 16 ( V ) So the three mighty men forced their way into the camp of the Philistines, and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and carried it and brought it to David. Yet he would not drink it, but ( W ) poured it out as an offering to the Lord ; 17 and he said, “Far be it from me, Lord , that I would do this! ( X ) Should I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” So he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.
18 Now ( Y ) Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was ( Z ) chief of the [ g ] thirty. And he swung his spear against three hundred [ h ] and killed them , and had a name [ i ] as well as the three. 19 He was the most honored among the thirty, so he became their commander; however, he did not attain to the reputation of the three.
20 Then ( AA ) Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of ( AB ) Kabzeel, who had done great deeds, [ j ] killed the [ k ] two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. 21 And he [ l ] killed an Egyptian, [ m ] an impressive man. Now the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. 22 These things ( AC ) Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and had a name [ n ] as well as the three mighty men. 23 He was honored among the thirty, but he did not attain the reputation of the three. And David appointed him over his bodyguard.
24 ( AD ) Asahel the brother of Joab was among the thirty; and there was Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 ( AE ) Shammah the ( AF ) Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the ( AG ) Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the ( AH ) Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the ( AI ) Netophathite, 29 ( AJ ) Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of ( AK ) Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah a ( AL ) Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of ( AM ) Gaash, 31 Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the ( AN ) Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the ( AO ) Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, 33 ( AP ) Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of ( AQ ) the Maacathite, ( AR ) Eliam the son of ( AS ) Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 ( AT ) Hezro the ( AU ) Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of ( AV ) Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the ( AW ) Beerothite, armor bearers of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 38 Ira the ( AX ) Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 and ( AY ) Uriah the Hittite; thirty-seven in all.
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.”
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.
