1These are the last words of David: Here is the declaration by David, son of Jesse. The declaration by the man whom God raised up, whom the God of Jacob anointed, the singer of Israel’s psalms: 2»The Spirit of Jehovah spoke through me. His word was on my tongue. 3»The God of Israel has spoken. The protector of Israel said to me: ‘The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God. 4»‘He is like the sun shining on a cloudless day. The sun that makes the grass sparkle after rain. 5»‘That is how God will bless my descendants. He made an eternal covenant with me. It is an agreement that will not be broken, a promise that will not be changed. That is all I desire. That will be my victory, and God will surely bring it about. 6»‘All the evildoers will be like thorns to be pushed away. They may not be gripped in the hand: 7»‘But with a sharp spear. They are burned on the spot.’« 8These are the names of David’s warriors: Ishbosheth son of Hachmon was the leader of the Three Warriors. In one battle, he killed eight hundred men with his spear. 9The next one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite. One time when the Philistines were at war with Israel, he and David dared the Philistines to fight them. Every one of the Israelite soldiers turned and ran. 10Eleazar was the exception. He killed Philistines until his hand was cramped. He could not let go of his sword. When Eleazar finished, all the Israelite troops had to do was come back and take the enemies’ weapons and armor. Jehovah gave Israel a great victory that day. 11Next in rank to him was Shammah, the son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of ripe lentils. When the troops fled from the Philistines, 12he stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So Jehovah won an impressive victory. 13At harvest time three of the thirty leading men came to David at the cave of Adullam when a troop from the Philistine army was camping in the valley of Rephaim. 14David was on a fortified hill. A group of Philistines occupied Bethlehem. 15David grew homesick. He said: »I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem!« 16The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp. They then drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it. He poured it out as an offering to Jehovah. 17David said: »Jehovah, I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives!« So he refused to drink it. Those were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers. 18Joab’s brother Abishai led the Thirty Warriors. In one battle he killed three hundred men with his spear. He was as famous as the Three Warriors. 19In fact he was just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. He was the commander of the Thirty Warriors. Yet he still did not become one of the Three Warriors. 20Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave man from Kabzeel who did some amazing things. He killed two of Moab’s best fighters. On a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. 21He killed an Egyptian as big as a giant. The Egyptian was armed with a spear. Benaiah only had a club. Benaiah grabbed the spear from the Egyptian and killed him with it. 22Benaiah never became one of the Three Warriors. He was just as famous as they were and certainly just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. David made him the leader of his bodyguard. 23He was honored over the rest of the Thirty Warriors. But he was not equal to the first three. David made him in charge over the fighting men who kept him safe. 24One of the thirty was Joab’s brother Asahel. The thirty leading men were Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, 25Shammah from Harod, Elika from Harod, 26Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, 27Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai son of Hushai, 28Zalmon descendant of Ahohi, Maharai from Netophah, 29Heleb son of Baanah from Netophah, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, 30Benaiah from Pirathon, Hiddai from the Gaash ravines, 31Abi Albon from Beth Arabah, Azmaveth from Bahurim, 32Elihba from Shaalbon, Bene Jashen, 33Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, 34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai and grandson of a man from Maacah, Eliam son of Ahithophel from Gilo, 35Hezrai from Carmel, Paarai from Arabah, 36Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani from the tribe of Gad, 37Zelek from Ammon, Naharai from Beeroth, armorbearer for Zeruiah’s son Joab, 38Ira descendant of Ithra, Gareb descendant of Ithra, 39and Uriah the Hittite, thirty-seven in all.