Thematic Bible




2 Samuel 23:1 (show verse)

This was David's last composition: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, an oracle by the valiant one who was exalted anointed by the God of Jacob, the contented psalm writer of Israel.

2 Samuel 23:2 (show verse)

The Spirit of the LORD speaks within me; his word is on my tongue!

2 Samuel 23:3 (show verse)

The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has talked to me. "When one is governing men justly, he fears God while governing.

2 Samuel 23:4 (show verse)

He is like dawn's first light, like bright sun blazing on a cloudless morning, glistening on grassland that flourishes after a rain shower.

2 Samuel 23:5 (show verse)

Is not my dynasty like this with God? Has he not made an eternal covenant with me, preparing every detail of it? And he has made it secure, including my complete salvation, has he not? He has been of continual help, has he not, even with respect to all of my desires?

2 Samuel 23:6 (show verse)

But ungodly men are like thorns that are discarded because they cannot be safely handled.

2 Samuel 23:7 (show verse)

Whoever handles them wears heavy duty clothing, carries strong tools, and burns them to ashes on the spot!

2 Samuel 23:8 (show verse)

Here's a list of the names of David's special forces: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahkemonite was head of the Three; he was nicknamed Adino the Eznite because he killed 800 men in a single battle engagement.

2 Samuel 23:9 (show verse)

Next was Dodai the Ahohite's son Eleazar. Eleazar, who also was one of the Three, was with David when they challenged the Philistines. When the Philistines had assembled in battle array, the Israeli army retreated,

2 Samuel 23:10 (show verse)

but Eleazar remained standing right where he was and fought so hard against the Philistines that he became exhausted he couldn't even let go of his sword! The LORD magnificently delivered them that day. After Eleazar had won the battle, the other soldiers returned, but only to strip the weapons and armor from the dead.

2 Samuel 23:11 (show verse)

Next was Shammah, Agee the Hararite's son. One time the Philistines assembled to fight in a field where lentils had been growing. Israel's army retreated from the Philistines,

2 Samuel 23:12 (show verse)

but Shammah stood his ground in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:13 (show verse)

One day while the Philistine army was camping in the valley of giants, three of the 30 leaders joined David at the cave of Adullam.

2 Samuel 23:14 (show verse)

David was living in that stronghold at the time, while a Philistine garrison was then at Bethlehem.

2 Samuel 23:15 (show verse)

David expressed his longing, "Oh, how I wish someone would get me a drink of water from the Bethlehem well that's by the city gate!"

2 Samuel 23:16 (show verse)

So the Three elite warriors broke through the Philistine ranks, drew some water from the Bethlehem well that was next to the city gate, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out in the LORD's presence,

2 Samuel 23:17 (show verse)

and said, "The LORD forbid that I drink this this is the blood of men who endangered their own lives!" The Three elite warriors did these things.

2 Samuel 23:18 (show verse)

Zeruiah's son Abishai, Joab's brother, was the lieutenant in charge of the platoons. He used his spear to fight and kill 300 men, gaining a reputation distinct from the Three.

2 Samuel 23:19 (show verse)

He was more well-known than the Three, and became their commander, but he never measured up to the Three.

2 Samuel 23:20 (show verse)

Jehoiada's son Benaiah, who was a valiant man, accomplished great things. He was from Kabzeel. He killed two men named Ariel from Moab and then he also went down into a pit and struck down a lion during a snow storm one day.

2 Samuel 23:21 (show verse)

He also killed a soldier from Egypt. Of handsome appearance, the Egyptian carried a spear, but Benaiah attacked him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.

2 Samuel 23:22 (show verse)

Benaiah did things like this and gained a reputation comparable to the Three warriors.

2 Samuel 23:23 (show verse)

He was well known among the platoons, but he didn't measure up to the Three. David placed him in charge of his security detail.

2 Samuel 23:24 (show verse)

Among the Thirty were Joab's brother Asahel, Dodo's son Elhanan of Bethlehem,

2 Samuel 23:25 (show verse)

Shammah from Harod; Elika from Harod,

2 Samuel 23:26 (show verse)

Helez the Paltite, Ikkesh's son Ira from Tekoa,

2 Samuel 23:27 (show verse)

Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite,

2 Samuel 23:28 (show verse)

Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai of Netophah,

2 Samuel 23:29 (show verse)

Baanah's son Heleb from Netophah, Ribai's son Ittai from Gibeah of the descendants of Benjamin,

2 Samuel 23:30 (show verse)

Benaiah from Pirathon, Hiddai from the Gaash creeks area,

2 Samuel 23:31 (show verse)

Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth from Bahurim,

2 Samuel 23:32 (show verse)

Eliahba from Shaalbon, Jashen's sons,

2 Samuel 23:33 (show verse)

Shammah's son from Harar, Sharar the Hararite's son Ahiam,

2 Samuel 23:34 (show verse)

Ahasbai the Maacathite's son Eliphelet, Ahithophel the Gilonite's son Eliam,

2 Samuel 23:35 (show verse)

Hezro from Carmel, Paarai the Arbite,

2 Samuel 23:36 (show verse)

Nathan's son Igal from Zobah, Bani the Gadite,

2 Samuel 23:37 (show verse)

Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai from Beeroth (the armor-bearer for Zeruiah's son Joab),

2 Samuel 23:38 (show verse)

Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

2 Samuel 23:39 (show verse)

and Uriah the Hittite for a total of 37.