2 Samuel 23

All 39 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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  1. 1These are the last words of David, the son of Jesse, the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:
  2. 2"The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.
  3. 3The God of Israel spoke — the Rock of Israel said to me: 'A ruler over people must be just, governing in the fear of God.
  4. 4He will be like the light of morning when the sun rises on a cloudless day, like tender grass sprouting from the earth after rain and sunshine.'
  5. 5Although my house is not like this with God, yet he has made an everlasting covenant with me, ordered in all things and sure. This is all my salvation and all my desire, even though he does not make it grow.
  6. 6But the sons of Belial will be tossed aside like thorns that no one can pick up with bare hands.
  7. 7Anyone who deals with them must come armed with iron and the shaft of a spear. In the end, they'll be completely burned up where they lie."
  8. 8These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite who sat in the seat, chief among the captains; he was also called Adino the Eznite. He lifted up his spear against eight hundred, whom he killed at one time.
  9. 9Next was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the 3 mightiest warriors alongside David. He was there when they stood their ground against the Philistines who had gathered for battle, even after the rest of Israel's soldiers had retreated.
  10. 10Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary and stuck to the sword. The LORD gave them a great victory that day, and the rest of the army returned only to strip the dead.
  11. 11After him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had massed together at a field full of lentils, and the Israelite troops fled from them.
  12. 12But Shammah planted himself in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The LORD gave them a great victory.
  13. 13During harvest time, 3 of the 30 leading warriors went down to David at the cave of Adullam while a Philistine raiding party was camped in the valley of Rephaim.
  14. 14David was in his stronghold at the time, and a Philistine garrison occupied Bethlehem.
  15. 15David said longingly, "If only someone could get me a drink of water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem!"
  16. 16So the 3 warriors fought their way through the Philistine army, drew water from the well by Bethlehem's gate, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD.
  17. 17And he said, "Be it far from me, O LORD, to do this: is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?" So he would not drink it. These were the deeds of the three mighty men.
  18. 18Abishai, Joab's brother and son of Zeruiah, was the leader of another group of 3. He once raised his spear against 300 men and killed them, earning a reputation among the 3.
  19. 19He was the most honored of this group and became their commander, but he didn't rank among the top 3 warriors.
  20. 20Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave warrior from Kabzeel who accomplished many great feats. He killed two lionlike men of Moab. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
  21. 21He also killed an Egyptian, a goodly man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went to him with a staff, took the spear from the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.
  22. 22These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and they earned him a reputation among the 3 mighty warriors.
  23. 23He was more honored than any of the 30, though he didn't rank among the top 3. David put him in charge of his personal bodyguard.
  24. 24Among the 30 were: Asahel, Joab's brother; Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
  25. 25Shammah the Harodite; Elika the Harodite;
  26. 26Helez the Paltite; Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
  27. 27Abiezer from Anathoth; Mebunnai the Hushathite;
  28. 28Zalmon the Ahohite; Maharai from Netophah;
  29. 29Heleb son of Baanah from Netophah; Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin;
  30. 30Benaiah from Pirathon; Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash;
  31. 31Abialbon the Arbathite; Azmaveth from Bahurim;
  32. 32Eliahba from Shaalbon; Jonathan, from the sons of Jashen;
  33. 33Shammah the Hararite; Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite;
  34. 34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maachathite; Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh;
  35. 35Hezrai from Carmel; Paarai the Arbite;
  36. 36Igal son of Nathan from Zobah; Bani the Gadite;
  37. 37Zelek the Ammonite; Nahari from Beeroth, who served as armor bearer to Joab son of Zeruiah;
  38. 38Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite;
  39. 39and Uriah the Hittite — 37 in all.
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