1   David son of Jesse was the man whom God made great, whom the God of Jacob chose to be king, and who was the composer of beautiful songs for Israel. These are David's last words:

2   
The spirit of the Lord speaks through me;
  his message is on my lips.

3   
The God of Israel has spoken;
  the protector of Israel said to me:
“The king who rules with justice,
  who rules with reverence for God,

4   
is like the sun shining on a cloudless dawn,
  the sun that makes the grass sparkle after rain.”

5   
And that is how God will bless my descendants,
  because he has made an eternal covenant with me,
  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.

6   
But godless men are like thorns that are thrown away;
  no one can touch them barehanded.

7   
You must use an iron tool or a spear;
  they will be burned completely. ^note
David's Famous Soldiers (1 Chronicles 11.10–41)

8   These are the names of David's famous soldiers: the first was Josheb Basshebeth from Tachemon, who was the leader of “The Three”; ^note he fought with his spear ^note against eight hundred men and killed them all in one battle.

9   The second of the famous three was Eleazar son of Dodo, of the clan of Ahoh. One day he and David challenged the Philistines who had gathered for battle. The Israelites fell back,

10   but he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was so cramped that he could not let go of his sword. The Lord won a great victory that day. After it was over, the Israelites returned to where Eleazar was and stripped the armor from the dead.

11   The third of the famous three was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of peas. The Israelites fled from the Philistines,

12   but Shammah stood his ground in the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The Lord won a great victory that day.

13   Near the beginning of harvest time ^note three of “The Thirty” went down to Adullam Cave, where David was, while a band of Philistines was camping in Rephaim Valley.

14   At that time David was on a fortified hill, and a group of Philistines had occupied Bethlehem.

15   David grew homesick and said, “How I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem!”

16   The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it; instead he poured it out as an offering to the Lord

17   and said, “Lord, 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.

17   Those were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers.

18   Joab's brother Abishai (their mother was Zeruiah) was the leader of “The Famous Thirty.” He fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and became famous among “The Thirty.” ^note

19   He was the most famous of “The Thirty”

^note and became their leader, but he was not as famous as “The Three.”

20   Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was another famous soldier; he did many brave deeds, including killing two great Moabite warriors. He once went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

21   He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man who was armed with a spear. Benaiah attacked him with his club, snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with it.

22   Those were the brave deeds of Benaiah, who was one of “The Thirty.” ^note

23   He was outstanding among them, but was not as famous as “The Three.” David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Other members of “The Thirty” included:

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Asahel, Joab's brother

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Shammah and Elika from Harod

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Helez from Pelet

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Abiezer from Anathoth

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Mebunnai from Hushah

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Zalmon from Ahoh

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Maharai from Netophah

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Heleb son of Baanah from Netophah

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Benaiah from Pirathon

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Hiddai from the valleys near Gaash

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Abialbon from Arabah

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Azmaveth from Bahurim

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Eliahba from Shaalbon

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   The sons of Jashen

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Jonathan

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Shammah from Harar

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Eliam son of Ahithophel from Gilo

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Hezro from Carmel

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Paarai from Arab

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Igal son of Nathan from Zobah

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Bani from Gad

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Zelek from Ammon

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Naharai from Beeroth, Joab's armorbearer

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Ira and Gareb from Jattir

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   Uriah the Hittite.

24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    32    33    34    35    36    37    38    39   There were thirty-seven famous soldiers in all.

Previous section

Next section