David’s Last Words

1These are the last words of David:

The declaration of David son of Jesse,a

the declaration of the man raised on high,A

the one anointed by the God of Jacob.b

This is the most delightful of Israel’s songs.

2The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me,

his word was on my tongue.a

3The God of Israel spoke;

the Rock of Israel said to me,

“The one who rules the people with justice,

who rules in the fear of God,a

4is like the morning light when the sun rises

on a cloudless morning,

the glisten of rain on sprouting grass.”

5Is it not true my house is with God?

For he has established a permanent covenanta with me,

ordered and secured in every detail.b

Will he not bring about

my whole salvation and my every desire?

6But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside;

they can never be picked up by hand.

7The man who touches them

must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear.

They will be completely burned up on the spot.

Exploits of David’s Warriors

8These are the names of David’s warriors:a

Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the officers.A He wielded his spearB against eight hundred men that he killed at one time.

9After him, Eleazar son of Dodo son of an Ahohite was among the three warriors with David when they defied the Philistines. The men of Israel retreated in the place they had gathered for battle, 10but Eleazar stood his ground and attacked the Philistines until his hand was tired and stuck to his sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops came back to him, but only to plunder the dead.

11After him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had assembled in formation where there was a field full of lentils. The troops fled from the Philistines, 12but Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

13Three of the thirty leading warriors went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam,a while a company of Philistines was camping in Rephaim Valley. 14At that time David was in the stronghold,a and a Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15David was extremely thirstyA and said, “If only someone would bring me water to drink from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem! ” 16So three of the warriors broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem. They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 17David said, “Lord, I would never do such a thing! Is this not the blood of men who risked their lives? ” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.

18Abishai, Joab’s brother and son of Zeruiah,a was leader of the Three.A He wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. 19Was he not more honored than the Three? He became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.a

20Benaiah son of Jehoiadaa was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sonsA of ArielB of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21He also killed an Egyptian, an impressive man. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went down to him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear. 22These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors. 23He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

24Among the Thirty were

1. Joab’s brother Asahel,a
2. Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
3. 25Shammah the Harodite,
4. Elika the Harodite,
5. 26Helez the Paltite,
6. Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
7. 27Abiezer the Anathothite,
8. Mebunnai the Hushathite,
9. 28Zalmon the Ahohite,
10. Maharai the Netophathite,
11. 29Heleb son of Baanah the Netophathite,
12. Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites,
13. 30Benaiah the Pirathonite,
14. Hiddai from the wadis of Gaash,A
15. 31Abi-albon the Arbathite,
16. Azmaveth the Barhumite,
17. 32Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
18. the sons of Jashen,
19. Jonathan son ofA 33Shammah the Hararite,
20. Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,
21. 34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maacathite,
22. Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,a
23. 35Hezro the Carmelite,
24. Paarai the Arbite,
25. 36Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,
26. Bani the Gadite,
27. 37Zelek the Ammonite,
28. Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer for Joab son of Zeruiah,
29. 38Ira the Ithrite,
30. Gareb the Ithrite,
31. 39and Uriaha the Hethite.b

There were thirty-seven in all.