| Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1These are the last words of David: The declaration of David son of Jesse, the declaration of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob. This is the most delightful of Israel's songs. | 1These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: |
| 2The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me, his word was on my tongue. | 2The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. |
| 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, | 3The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, |
| 4is like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, the glisten of rain on sprouting grass." | 4is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’ |
| 5Is it not true my house is with God? For he has established a permanent covenant with me, ordered and secured in every detail. Will he not bring about my whole salvation and my every desire? | 5Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire? |
| 6But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside; they can never be picked up by hand. | 6But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered 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. | 7The man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.” |
| 8These are the names of David's warriors: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the officers. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men that he killed at one time. | 8These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom 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, | 9Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, |
| 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. | 10but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned 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, | 11And after him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines had banded together near a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. |
| 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. | 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, while a company of Philistines was camping in the Valley of Rephaim. | 13At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. |
| 14At that time David was in the stronghold, and a Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. | 14At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem. |
| 15David was extremely thirsty and said, "If only someone would bring me water to drink from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem!" | 15David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the 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. | 16So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and 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. | 17saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men. |
| 18Abishai, Joab's brother and son of Zeruiah, was leader of the Three. He wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. | 18Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. |
| 19Was he not more honored than the Three? He became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three. | 19Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three. |
| 20Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. | 20And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit 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 club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and then killed him with his own spear. | 21He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. |
| 22These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors. | 22These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name alongside the three mighty men. |
| 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. | 23He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard. |
| 24Among the Thirty were Joab's brother Asahel, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem, | 24Now these were members of the Thirty: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem, |
| 25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, | 25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, |
| 26Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, | 26Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, |
| 27Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, | 27Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, |
| 28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, | 28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, |
| 29Heleb son of Baanah the Netophahite, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites, | 29Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites, |
| 30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the wadis of Gaash, | 30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash, |
| 31Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, | 31Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, |
| 32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan son of | 32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan |
| 33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, | 33son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, |
| 34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, | 34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, |
| 35Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, | 35Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, |
| 36Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani the Gadite, | 36Igal son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, |
| 37Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer for Joab son of Zeruiah, | 37Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, |
| 38Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, | 38Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
| 39and Uriah the Hethite. There were thirty-seven in all. | 39and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all. |
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