2nd Shamu'AL (2 Samuel) — 23

Daud’s Last Words

1 These are the last words of Daud the son of Yassa, Daud, the man who was raised up so high, Daud, the man anointed by the  𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH of Ya'aqub, Daud, the sweet psalmist of Yashar'AL.

2 “The Ruach of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar  through me; 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH's Dabar are upon my tongue.

3 The 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH of Yashar'AL spoke. The Rock of Yashar'AL Dabar to me:‘ The one who rules righteously, When one rules over men justly, he fears 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH while governing.

4 He is like the light when the sun rises in the morning, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.’

5 “Is it not my family 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has chosen? Yes, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has made an everlasting covenant with me. For the agreement of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  will ensure my safety and success.

6 But the unrighteous are like thorns to be thrown away, for they tear the hand that touches them.

7 One must use iron tools to chop them down; they will be totally consumed by fire.”

Daud’s Mightiest Warriors

8 These are the names of Daud’s mightiest warriors. The first was Yashubaam the Hacmunite, who was leader of the Three, the three mightiest warriors among Daud’s men. He once used his spear to kill eight hundred enemy warriors in a single battle.

9 Next in rank among the Three was Alaazar son of Dudai, a descendant of Ahuah. Once Alaazar and Daud stood together against the Philistines when the entire Yasharalym army had fled. 

10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!

11 Next in rank was Shammah son of Agaa from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lahi and attacked the Yasharalym in a field full of lentils. The Yasharalym army fled, 

12 but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH brought about a great victory.

13 Once during the harvest, when Daud was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Raphaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among Daud’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. 

14 Daud was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bathlaham.

15 Daud remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bathlaham.” 

16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bathlaham, and brought it back to Daud. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. 

17 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So Daud did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

Daud’s Thirty Mighty Men

18 Abishai son of Zaruyahu, the brother of Yuab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three. 

19 Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

20 There was also Banayahu son of Yahuiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzaal, he did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Muab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. 

21 Once, armed only with a club, he killed an imposing Mitzraym warrior who was armed with a spear. Banayahu wrenched the spear from the Mitzraym hand and killed him with it. 

22 Deeds like these made Banayahu as famous as the Three mightiest warriors. 

23 He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And Daud made him captain of his bodyguard.

24 Other members of the Thirty included:

Asahal, Yuab’s brother; Alhanan son of Dudu from Bathlaham;

25 Shammah from Harulud; Alika from Harud;

26 Halaz from Palun; Ira son of Ikkash from Takua;

27 Abiazar from Anathuth; Sibbacai from Hushah;

28 Zalmun from Ahuah; Maharai from Natuphah;

29 Halad son of Baanah from Natuphah; Ithai son of Ribai from Gibaah (in the land of Banyamin);

30 Banayahu from Pirathun; Hurai from Nahala-gaash;

31 Abi-albun from Arabah; Azmabath from Bahurim;

32 Aliahba from Shaalbun; the sons of Yashan; 

33 Yunathan son of Shagaa from Harar; Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;

34 Aliphalat son of Ahasbai from Maacah; Aliam son of Ahithuphal from Giluh;

35 Hazru from Carmel; Paarai from Arba;

36 Igal son of Nathan from Zubah; Bani from Gad;

37 Zalak from Ammun; Naharai from Baaruth, the armor bearer of Yuab son of Zaruyahu;

38 Ira from Yattir; Garab from Yattir;

39 Uryahu the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.