1These are the last words of David: “David, son of Jesse, speaks – David, the man who was exalted by the Most High, anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, who said, 2‘The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me, and His word was on my tongue. 3The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me, “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 4And he shall be like the morning light, when the sun rises on a cloudless morning; like the tender grass springing out of the earth and gleaming in the sun.” 5Even if my house may not be right with God; yet He has made an everlasting covenant with me, orderly and sure in all things; and He will ensure my success. 6But evil men shall be thrown away like thorns, because they cut the hands of those who gather them up; 7The ones who handle them must use tools of iron, or the staff of a spear; and they shall be completely burned where they lie.’”

8These are the names of David’s mighty men (warriors): Josheb-basshebeth, the Tahkemonite, leader of the three, also called Adino, the Eznite (spear) - he raised his spear against eight hundred, whom he killed in one encounter. 9And after him was Eleazar, son of Dodai (Dodo), the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines who were gathered for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated; 10Eleazar rose, and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword; and the LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the rest of the army only returned afterwards to take the spoil. 11And after him was Shammah, son of Agee, the Hararite: The Philistines had gathered their army on a plot of ground full of lentils; and the troops of Israel fled from them. 12But Shammah took his stand in the center of that plot, defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory.

13And at harvest time, three of the thirty leaders came down to David to the cave of Adullam; while the Philistines were camped in the valley of Rephaim. 14David was then in a stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem. 15And David said, “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem near by the gate!” 16And those three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem near the gate, and brought it to David. But David would not drink it, but poured it out unto the LORD. 17And said, “Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this; is not this the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore, he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

18And Abishai, brother of Joab, son of Zeruiah, was first among the three. And he raised his spear against three hundred, and killed them, and gained a name among the three. 19Was he not the most honored of the three? Though he was their commander, he did not attain to the greatness of first three.

20And Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many notable deeds: he killed the two famous sons of Ariel of Moab; he also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on snowy day. 21And he killed an Egyptian, a handsome man; and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with only a club, plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear. 22These things did Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, and won a name along with the three mighty men. 23He was more honorable than the thirty, but was not among the first three. And David set him over his guard.

24Asahel, brother of Joab, was one of the thirty; then Elhanan, son of Dodo of Bethlehem; 25Shammah, the Harodite; Elika, the Harodite; 26Helez, the Paltite; Ira, son of Ikkesh, the Tekoite; 27Abiezer, the Anethothite; Mebunnai, the Hushathite; 28Zalmon, the Ahohite; Maharai, the Netophathite; 29Heleb, son of Baanah, a Netophathite; Ittai, son of Ribai, of Gibeah, of the descendants of Benjamin, 30Benaiah, the Pirathonite; Hiddai, of the brooks of Gaash; 31Abi-albon, the Arbathite; Azmaveth, the Barhumite; 32Eliahba, the Shaalbonite; of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan; 33Shammah the Hararite; Ahiam, son of Sharar, the Hararite; 34Eliphelet, son of Ahasbai, son of the Maacathite; Eliam, son of Ahithophel, the Gilonite; 35Hezro, the Carmelite, Paarai, the Arbite; 36Igal, son of Nathan of Zobah; Bani, the Gadite; 37Zelek, the Ammonite; Naharai, the Beerothite, armor-bearer to Joab, son of Zeruiah; 38Ira, an Ithrite; Gareb, an Ithrite; 39Uriah, the Hittite; thirty-seven in all.