1 Chronicles 11

1Then all Israel gathered to David in Hebron. “Look,” they told him, “we are your own bone and flesh. 2In times past, even while Saul reigned, you were the one who led Israel out to battle and brought them back. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘You are the one who will shepherd my people Israel; you will become ruler over my people Israel.’” 3When all the elders of Israel had come to the king in Hebron, David made a covenant with them there in the presence of the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the LORD had promised through Samuel.

4Then David and all Israel marched on Jerusalem, that is, Jebus, where the Jebusites lived, the people of that land. 5The people of Jebus told David, “You will not get in here.” But David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is now the City of David. 6David had said, “Whoever is first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief and commander.” Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. 7David took up residence in the stronghold, and that is why it was called the City of David. 8He built up the city all around, from the Millo to the area around it, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Armies was with him.

10These are the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, as the LORD had promised concerning Israel.

11This is the roll of David’s mighty warriors. Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the Thirty. He raised his spear against three hundred men and killed them at one time. 12Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. He was one of the three mighty warriors. 13He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines had gathered there for battle. There was a plot of land full of barley, and the troops ran from the Philistines. 14But they took their stand in the middle of the plot, defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD saved them with a great victory. 15Once three chief men of the Thirty went down to the rock, to join David at the cave of Adullam, while an army of Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16At that time David was in the stronghold, and a Philistine garrison was then in Bethlehem. 17David had a longing and said, “If only someone would get me water to drink from Bethlehem’s well, the one by the gate!” 18So the three men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate, and carried it back to David. But David would not drink it. Instead he poured it out as an offering to the LORD. 19He said, “Before my God, far be it from me to do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For they risked their lives to bring it.” So he would not drink it. Such were the deeds of the three mighty warriors. 20Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and he won a name alongside the Three. 21He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, but he did not reach the rank of the Three.

22Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel who did great deeds. He struck down the two champions of Moab. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 23He also struck down an Egyptian, a man of great height, about 7 1/2 feet tall. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah went down against him with a club, snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s grip and killed him with his own weapon. 24Such were the deeds of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he won a name alongside the three mighty warriors. 25He was honored above the Thirty, but he did not reach the rank of the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

26The mighty warriors of the army were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

28Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,

31Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32Hurai from the ravines of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,

33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

35Ahiam son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur,

36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,

37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai,

38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri,

39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai,

42Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,

43Hanan son of Maacah, Joshaphat the Mithnite,

44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

45Jediael son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,

46Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, 47Eliel, Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.