2 Samuel 23

Final Words & Real Ones

1 These are David’s last words: “This is what David said, son of Jesse, raised up by God, anointed by the Most High, the sweet psalm writer of Israel.”

2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me, His words were in my mouth.”

3 “The God of Israel said: When a ruler leads with justice, with respect for God,

4 It is like sunrise after a storm, light breaking through, grass shining with fresh rain.”

5 “My house is not perfect, but God made an unbreakable promise with me. He has got everything lined up, my whole future secure.”

6 “But wicked folks, They like thorns, cannot be held, only burned.”

7 “Anybody who touches them better use iron or a spear, you do not mess with them unless you plan to destroy them.”

David’s Elite Warriors

8 Here is the roll call of David’s top warriors: First up, Josheb-basshebeth. Dude was chief of the Three. He killed 800 men in one battle. Savage.

9 Next, Eleazar son of Dodo. When everyone else ran from the Philistines, he stayed and fought till his hand cramped up around the sword. The Lord brought a major W that day.

10 The rest of the army came back, not to fight, but to collect the bodies and the loot.

11 Next, Shammah son of Agee. The Philistines tried to take a field full of lentils. The troops bounced, but Shammah stood his ground.

12 He took the field solo and smoked the Philistines. The Lord gave him the win.

The Risky Water Run

13 Once during harvest, three of the Thirty rolled up to David at the cave of Adullam. The Philistines had a camp near Bethlehem.

14 David was posted up in the stronghold. Bethlehem was locked down by Philistine troops.

15 David said, “Man, I wish I had some water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem.”

16 So the three broke through enemy lines, got that water, and brought it back to David. But he did not drink it. He poured it out before the Lord.

17 He said, “Far be it from me, Lord, I cannot drink this. These men risked their lives to bring it. This water is like blood.” So he did not drink it. That is the kind of loyalty these Three had.

More Mighty Warriors

18 Abishai, Joab’s brother, was chief of the Thirty. He once raised his spear and killed 300 men. Beast mode.

19 He was respected, but not part of the top Three.

20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel, did major things: He killed two savage warriors from Moab. On a snowy day, he jumped into a pit and killed a lion.

21 He also dropped a huge Egyptian warrior. The dude had a spear. Benaiah only had a staff, but he snatched the spear and killed him with it.

22 That is why Benaiah was known among David’s top fighters.

23 He was honored more than the Thirty, but still not in the top Three. David made him captain of his personal guard.

Roll Call of the Thirty

24 Other warriors: Asahel (Joab’s brother), Elhanan from Bethlehem,

25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,

26 Helez from Pelet, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,

27 Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai from Hushah,

28 Zalmon from Ahoh, Maharai from Netophah,

29 Heleb son of Baanah, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah,

30 Benaiah from Pirathon, Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash,

31 Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth from Bahurim,

32 Eliahba from Shaalbon, the sons of Jashen,

33 Jonathan, Shammah from Harar,

34 Ahiam son of Sharar, Eliphelet son of Ahasbai,

35 Hezro from Carmel, Paarai from Arab,

36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani the Gadite,

37 Zelek from Ammon, Naharai the armor bearer of Joab,

38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

39 And last on the list, Uriah the Hittite. Thirty-seven warriors total.