2 Samuel 23 : 1 (ERVEN)
These are the last words of David: "This message is from David son of Jesse. This message is from the man God made great. He is the king chosen by the God of Jacob, the sweet singer of Israel.
2 Samuel 23 : 2 (ERVEN)
The Lord's Spirit spoke through me. His word was on my tongue.
2 Samuel 23 : 3 (ERVEN)
The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me, 'Whoever rules people fairly, who rules with respect for God,
2 Samuel 23 : 4 (ERVEN)
is like the morning light at dawn, like a morning without clouds. He is like sunshine after a rain that makes tender grass grow from the ground.'
2 Samuel 23 : 5 (ERVEN)
"God made my family strong and secure. He made an agreement with me forever. God made sure this agreement was good and secure in every way. So surely he will give me every victory. He will give me everything I want!
2 Samuel 23 : 6 (ERVEN)
"But evil people are like thorns. People don't hold thorns. They throw them away.
2 Samuel 23 : 7 (ERVEN)
If someone touches them, it hurts like a spear made of wood and iron. Yes, evil people are like thorns. They will be thrown into the fire, and they will be completely burned."
2 Samuel 23 : 8 (ERVEN)
These are the names of David's special soldiers: Josheb Basshebeth the Tahkemonite was captain of the king's special forces. He used his spear to kill 800 men at one time.
2 Samuel 23 : 9 (ERVEN)
Next, there was Eleazar son of Dodai who was there with David when he challenged the Philistines who had gathered for battle. The Israelites ran away,
2 Samuel 23 : 10 (ERVEN)
but Eleazar stood and fought the Philistines until his hand became so tired that it cramped around his sword handle. The Lord won a great victory that day. The people of Israel came back, but only to take things from the dead.
2 Samuel 23 : 11 (ERVEN)
Next there was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines came together to fight. They fought in a field of lentils. The people ran away from the Philistines.
2 Samuel 23 : 12 (ERVEN)
But Shammah stood in the middle of the field and defended it. He defeated the Philistines. The Lord gave Israel a great victory that day.
2 Samuel 23 : 13 (ERVEN)
Once David was at the cave of Adullam and the Philistine army was down in Rephaim Valley. Three of the Thirty Heroes crawled flat on the ground all the way to that cave to join David.
2 Samuel 23 : 14 (ERVEN)
Another time David was in the fortress, and a group of Philistines soldiers was stationed in Bethlehem.
2 Samuel 23 : 15 (ERVEN)
David was thirsty for some water from his hometown, so he said, "Oh, if only I could have some water from that well by the gate in Bethlehem."
2 Samuel 23 : 16 (ERVEN)
David did not really want this, he was only talking, but the Three Heroes fought their way through the Philistine army and got some water from the well near the city gate in Bethlehem. Then they brought the water to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it on the ground as an offering to the Lord.
2 Samuel 23 : 17 (ERVEN)
David said, "Lord, I cannot drink this water. It would be like drinking the blood of the men who risked their lives for me." This is why David refused to drink the water. The Three Heroes did many brave things like that.
2 Samuel 23 : 18 (ERVEN)
Abishai was the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah. Abishai was the leader of the Three Heroes. Abishai used his spear against 300 enemies and killed them. He became as famous as the Three.
2 Samuel 23 : 19 (ERVEN)
Abishai was as famous as the Three Heroes. He became their leader, even though he was not one of them.
2 Samuel 23 : 20 (ERVEN)
Then there was Benaiah son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel. He was the son of a powerful man. Benaiah did many brave things. He killed two of the best soldiers in Moab. One day when it was snowing, Benaiah went down into a hole in the ground and killed a lion.
2 Samuel 23 : 21 (ERVEN)
Benaiah also killed a big Egyptian soldier. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, and Benaiah only had a club. He grabbed the spear in the Egyptian's hands and took it away from him. Then Benaiah killed the Egyptian with his own spear.
2 Samuel 23 : 22 (ERVEN)
Benaiah son of Jehoiada did many more brave things like that. He was as famous as the Three Heroes.
2 Samuel 23 : 23 (ERVEN)
Benaiah was even more famous than the Thirty Heroes, but he did not become a member of the Three Heroes. David made Benaiah the leader of his bodyguards.
2 Samuel 23 : 24 (ERVEN)
The following men were among the Thirty Heroes: Asahel, the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
2 Samuel 23 : 25 (ERVEN)
Shammah the Harodite; Elika the Harodite;
2 Samuel 23 : 26 (ERVEN)
Helez the Paltite; Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
2 Samuel 23 : 27 (ERVEN)
Abiezer from Anathoth; Mebunnai the Hushathite;
2 Samuel 23 : 28 (ERVEN)
Zalmon the Ahohite; Maharai from Netophah;
2 Samuel 23 : 29 (ERVEN)
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah; Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of Benjamin;
2 Samuel 23 : 30 (ERVEN)
Benaiah the Pirathonite; Hiddai from the Brooks of Gaash;
2 Samuel 23 : 31 (ERVEN)
Abi Albon the Arbathite; Azmaveth the Barhumite;
2 Samuel 23 : 32 (ERVEN)
Eliahba the Shaalbonite; the sons of Jashen; Jonathan
2 Samuel 23 : 33 (ERVEN)
the son of Shammah from Harar; Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;
2 Samuel 23 : 34 (ERVEN)
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite; Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite;
2 Samuel 23 : 35 (ERVEN)
Hezro the Carmelite; Paarai the Arbite;
2 Samuel 23 : 36 (ERVEN)
Igal son of Nathan of Zobah; Bani the Gadite;
2 Samuel 23 : 37 (ERVEN)
Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai from Beeroth (Naharai carried the armor for Joab son of Zeruiah);
2 Samuel 23 : 38 (ERVEN)
Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite;
2 Samuel 23 : 39 (ERVEN)
and Uriah the Hittite. There were 37 in all.

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