2 Samuel 23:3-39 ▼

3 The God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God) spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

4 is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’

5 Is 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?

6 But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand.

7 The 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.”

8 These are the names of David’s (beloved) mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth (dwelling in rest) the Tahchemonite (Hachmonite) was chief of the Three (chief among the captains). He wielded (his ornament) his spear against [He was called Adino the Eznite because of] eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time.

9 Next in command was Eleazar (God has helped) son of Dodo (Dodai) the Ahohite (brother of rest). As one of the three mighty men, he went with David (beloved) to taunt the Philistines (immigrants) who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel (he wrestles with God) retreated,

10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines (immigrants) until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD {YHWH} brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.

11 And after him was Shammah (desert) son of Agee (I shall increase) the Hararite (mountain dweller). When the Philistines (immigrants) had banded together near (jaw) a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them.

12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines (immigrants). So the LORD {YHWH} brought about a great victory.

13 At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David (beloved) at the cave of Adullam (justice of the people), while a company of Philistines (immigrants) was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.

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

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

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

17 saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD {YHWH}, 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.

18 Now Abishai (my father is a gift), the brother of Joab (YHWH is father) and son of Zeruiah (balsam), 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.

19 Was he not more honored than the Three [the Thirty]? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

20 And Benaiah (YHWH has built up) son of Jehoiada (YHWH knows) was a man of valor (Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of Ishhai) from Kabzeel (God gathers), a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions (two sons of Ariel) of Moab (of his father), and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.

21 He also struck down an Egyptian (double straits), 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.

22 These were the exploits of Benaiah (YHWH has built up) son of Jehoiada (YHWH knows), who won a name along with the three mighty men.

23 He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David (beloved) appointed him over his guard.

24 Now these were members of the Thirty \In the Thirty were:/: Asahel (God-made) the brother of Joab (YHWH is father), Elhanan (God has been gracious) son of Dodo (his beloved) of Bethlehem (house of bread),

25 Shammah (astonishment) the Harodite, Elika (my God rejects) the Harodite,

26 Helez (he has saved) the Paltite (escape), Ira (watchful of a city) son of Ikkesh (twisted) the Tekoite,

27 Abiezer (my father is help) the Anathothite, Mebunnai [Sibbecai] the Hushathite,

28 Zalmon (shady) the Ahohite (brother of rest), Maharai (impetuous) the Netophathite,

29 Heled [Heleb] son of Baanah (in affliction) the Netophathite, Ittai (Ithai) son of Ribai (pleader with YHWH) from Gibeah (hill) of the Benjamites (son of the right hand),

30 Benaiah (YHWH has built up) the Pirathonite, Hiddai (Hurai) from the brooks (from the ravines) of Gaash (quaking),

31 Abi-albon (God is my father) the Arbathite, Azmaveth (strong unto death) the Barhumite (son of the blackened),

32 Eliahba (God hides) the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen (Hashem), Jonathan (YHWH has given)

33 son of Shammah [Jonathan, 33 Shammah] the Hararite (mountain dweller), Ahiam (mother's brother) son of Sharar [Sachar] the Hararite,

34 Eliphelet (God is deliverance) son of Ahasbai (brother of my encompassers) the Maacathite (she has pressed), Eliam (God is kinsman) son of Ahithophel (my brother is folly) the Gilonite (gentilic of preceding),

35 Hezro (enclosed) the Carmelite, Paarai (gaping) the Arbite (an ambush),

36 Igal (He redeems) son of Nathan (giver) of Zobah (station), Bani (built) the Gadite (a troop / fortune),

37 Zelek (fissure) the Ammonite, Naharai (snorter) the Beerothite (wells), the armor-bearer of Joab (YHWH is father) son of Zeruiah (balsam),

38 Ira (watchful of a city) the Ithrite (a remnant), Gareb (scabby) the Ithrite,

39 and Uriah (YHWH is my light) the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.