2 Samuel 23

Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

These are the final words of David, Jesse's son. David, a man lifted high, chosen by the God of Jacob, and Israel's beloved songwriter, spoke.

The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

The Lord's divine essence spoke through me, His wisdom danced on my tongue.

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

The Lord of Israel, our unshakeable Rock, spoke to me with a clear message: Those who lead others must be fair and govern with a deep respect and reverence for God.

And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

He will be like the first light of dawn, bright and clear, like fresh green grass sparkling after a rain shower.

Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

Even if my life isn't perfect in God's eyes, He has promised me an unending bond, perfectly arranged and certain. This promise is my only salvation and deepest desire, even if it doesn't seem to flourish.

But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:

But those who follow evil will be like prickly thorns, pushed away, for they cannot be grasped by hand.

But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.

Anyone who handles them must arm himself with iron or the shaft of a spear, and they themselves will be completely burned up by fire right where they lie.

These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.

Here are the names of David's bravest warriors: The Tachmonite, the highest-ranking captain, also known as Adino the Eznite. He courageously wielded his spear, single-handedly defeating eight hundred enemies in one battle.

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:

Following him was Eleazar, son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of David's three bravest warriors. They courageously faced the Philistines, who were ready for battle, even when the men of Israel had retreated.

He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

He rose with determination, striking down the Philistines until his hand grew tired and stuck fast to his sword. That day, the Lord granted a significant triumph. The people came back to him only afterwards, to strip the dead.

And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.

Following him was Shammah, Agee the Hararite's son. The Philistines assembled, occupying a lentil field. Fear gripped the people, causing them to flee from the Philistines.

But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

In the heart of the battlefield, he held his ground, courageously fighting off the Philistines. With every enemy he defeated, it was clear - the Lord was guiding him to a monumental victory.

And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

Three of the top warriors braved their way to David during harvest season, seeking refuge in the cave of Adullam. Meanwhile, the Philistine army set up camp in the valley of Rephaim.

And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

At that time, David was in a fortress, while the Philistine soldiers were stationed in Bethlehem.

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

David yearned deeply, wishing for just a sip of the refreshing water from Bethlehem's well, located near the gate.

And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.

Three brave men, defying all odds, broke through the enemy lines to draw water from the Bethlehem well near the gate. They risked their lives to bring this precious gift to David. Yet, David, deeply moved, couldn't bear to drink it. Instead, he offered it to the Lord, pouring it out as a sacred tribute.

And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

He exclaimed, "God forbid that I should do this! Isn't this the blood of those who risked their lives?" So, he refused to drink it. Such was the bravery of these three mighty men.

And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.

Abishai, Joab's brother and Zeruiah's son, was a leader among three. With courage in his heart, he bravely raised his spear against three hundred, defeating them all. This heroic act earned him a renowned name among the three.

Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.

Wasn't he the most respected among the trio? Indeed, he was their leader. Yet, he couldn't quite reach the level of the top three.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:

Benaiah, son of the brave Jehoiada from Kabzeel, was a man of many heroic deeds. He courageously defeated two fierce warriors from Moab, as intimidating as lions. In the chilling snow, he descended into a pit and triumphantly killed a lion.

And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.

Overwhelmed with courage, he faced a formidable Egyptian warrior. The Egyptian, a man of impressive stature, held a spear. Yet, he approached him with nothing but a staff. In a swift, daring move, he snatched the spear from the Egyptian's grip and killed him with his own weapon.

These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.

Benaiah, Jehoiada's son, accomplished these great deeds and won a name as famous as the three mightiest warriors.

He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

He held greater honor than the thirty, yet he didn't reach the top three. David put him in charge of his personal guard.

Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

Asahel, Joab's brother, was among the chosen thirty, and Elhanan, the Bethlehemite, was Dodo's proud son.

Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,

Shammah and Elika, both from Harod,

Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

Helez, a man from Palti, and Ira, the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, were there.

Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,

Abiezer from Anathoth, and Mebunnai from Hushah,

Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

Zalmon the Ahohite, and Maharai the Netophathite,

Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,

Heleb, Baanah's son from Netophah, and Ittai, Ribai's son from Gibeah of Benjamin's lineage,

Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,

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

Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

Abialbon from Arbath, and Azmaveth of Barhum,

Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,

Eliahba the Shaalbonite, and Jonathan, one of the sons of Jashen,

Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,

Shammah of Harar, and Ahiam, Sharar of Harar's son,

Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Eliphelet, born of Ahasbai, a descendant of the Maachathite clan, and Eliam, the offspring of Ahithophel from Gilon,

Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,

Hezrai from Carmel, and Paarai the Arbite,

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

Igal, Nathan's son from Zobah, and Bani from the tribe of Gad,

Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,

Zelek from Ammon and Nahari from Beeroth, who served as Joab's loyal shield-bearer, the son of Zeruiah.

Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,

Ira and Gareb, both Ithrites,

Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

Uriah the Hittite was one among the total of thirty-seven.