1 Chronicles 11:1-21 ▼

1 Then all Israel (he wrestles with God) came together to David (beloved) at Hebron (association) and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

2 Even in times past (For some time), while Saul (desired) was king, you were the one who led Israel out (he wrestles with God) and brought them back. And the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

3 So all the elders of Israel (he wrestles with God) came to the king at Hebron (association), where David (beloved) made a covenant with them before the LORD {YHWH}. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel (his name is El).

4 Then David (beloved) and all the Israelites (God prevails) marched to Jerusalem (city of peace) (that is, Jebus (threshing place)), where the Jebusites (Jerusalemites) inhabited the land.

5 The people of Jebus (threshing place) said to David (beloved), “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).

6 Now David (beloved) had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite (Jerusalemite) will become chief commander.” And Joab (YHWH is father) son of Zeruiah (balsam) went up first, and he became the chief.

7 So David (beloved) took up residence in the fortress; that is why it was called the City of David.

8 He built up the city around it, from the supporting terraces \the Millo/ to the surrounding wall, while Joab (YHWH is father) restored the rest of the city.

9 And David (beloved) became greater and greater, for the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts was with him.

10 Now these were the chiefs of David’s (beloved) mighty men, who, together with all Israel (he wrestles with God), bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD {YHWH} concerning Israel.

11 This is the list of David’s (beloved) mighty men: Jashobeam (the people will return) son of Hachmoni (wise) was chief of the officers [of the Three]; he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one time.

12 Next in command was Eleazar (God has helped) son of Dodo (Dodai) the Ahohite (brother of rest), one of the three mighty men.

13 He was with David (beloved) at Pas-dammim (boundary of blood) when the Philistines (immigrants) 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 \But they stationed themselves/ in the middle of the field and defended it. They struck down the Philistines (immigrants), and the LORD {YHWH} brought about a great victory.

15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to David (beloved), to the rock at the cave of Adullam (justice of the people), while a company of Philistines (immigrants) was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.

16 At that time David (beloved) was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines (immigrants) was at Bethlehem (house of bread).

17 David (beloved) longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well (house of bread) near the gate of Bethlehem!”

18 So the Three broke through the Philistine (immigrants) camp, drew water from the well (house of bread) at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David (beloved). But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD {YHWH},

19 saying, “Far be it from me, my God {Elohay}, 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 (my father is a gift), the brother of Joab (YHWH is father), was chief of the Three [the Thirty], 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.