David’s Mighty Men

(2 Samuel 23:8–39)

Now these [were] the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. 11 This is the list of David’s mighty men:

Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the officers;[fn] he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one time.

12 

Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo[fn] the Ahohite one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David vvv at Pas-dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place with a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. 14 But Eleazar and David stationed themselves[fn] in the middle of the field and defended it. They struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

15 

Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines vvv was at Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water and said,“Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

18 

So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead , he poured it out to the LORD, 19 saying,“Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, [David] refused to drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

20 

Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three,[fn] and he wielded his spear against three hundred [men], killed [them], and won a name along with [the] Three. 21 He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

22 

And Benaiah son of Jehoiada vvv was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. [He] struck down two champions of Moab,[fn] and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. 23 He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits [tall].[fn] Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from [his] hand, and killed [the Egyptian] with his own spear. 24 These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name along with the three mighty men. 25 He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.

26 

Now [these were] the mighty men

• vvv Asahel the brother of Joab,
• Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
27 
• Shammoth the Harorite,[fn]
• Helez the Pelonite,
28 
• Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
• Abiezer the Anathothite,
29 
• Sibbecai the Hushathite,
• Ilai the Ahohite,
30 
• Maharai the Netophathite,
• Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31 
• Ithai[fn] son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites
• Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32 
• Hurai[fn] from the brooks[fn] of Gaash,
• Abiel[fn] the Arbathite,
33 
• Azmaveth the Baharumite,[fn]
• Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34 
• the sons of Hashem[fn] the Gizonite,
• Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,
35 
• Ahiam son of Sachar[fn] the Hararite,
• Eliphal son of Ur,
36 
• Hepher the Mecherathite,
• Ahijah the Pelonite,
37 
• Hezro the Carmelite,
• Naarai son of Ezbai,
38 
• Joel the brother of Nathan,
• Mibhar son of Hagri,
39 
• Zelek the Ammonite,
• Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,
40 
• Ira the Ithrite,
• Gareb the Ithrite,
41 
• Uriah the Hittite,
• Zabad son of Ahlai,
42 
• Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him,
43 
• Hanan son of Maacah,
• Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44 
• Uzzia the Ashterathite,
• Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
45 
• Jediael son of Shimri and his brother Joha the Tizite,
46 
• Eliel the Mahavite,
• Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam,
• Ithmah the Moabite,
47 
• Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite. 12