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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 23 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/2_samuel/23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" 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href="../2_samuel/22.htm" title="2 Samuel 22">◄</a> 2 Samuel 23 <a href="../2_samuel/24.htm" title="2 Samuel 24">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/2_samuel/23.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="sectionhead">David’s Last Words</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>These are the last words of David:</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1">“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,</p><p class="line2">the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,</p><p class="line1">the man anointed by the God of Jacob,</p><p class="line2">the hero of Israel’s songs:</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>“The Spirit of the <span class="name">Lord</span> spoke through me;</p><p class="line2">his word was on my tongue.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>The God of Israel spoke,</p><p class="line2">the Rock of Israel said to me:</p><p class="line1">‘When one rules over people in righteousness,</p><p class="line2">when he rules in the fear of God,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>he is like the light of morning at sunrise</p><p class="line2">on a cloudless morning,</p><p class="line1">like the brightness after rain</p><p class="line2">that brings grass from the earth.’</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>“If my house were not right with God,</p><p class="line2">surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,</p><p class="line2">arranged and secured in every part;</p><p class="line1">surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation</p><p class="line2">and grant me my every desire.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,</p><p class="line2">which are not gathered with the hand.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Whoever touches thorns</p><p class="line2">uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;</p><p class="line2">they are burned up where they lie.”</p></div> <p class="sectionhead">David’s Mighty Warriors</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>These are the names of David’s mighty warriors:</p><p class="reg">Josheb-Basshebeth, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts suggest Ish-Bosheth, that is, Esh-Baal (see also 1 Chron. 11:11 Jashobeam).">a</a></sup></span> a Tahkemonite, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Probably a variant of Hakmonite (see 1 Chron. 11:11)">b</a></sup></span> was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:11); Hebrew and other Septuagint manuscripts Three; it was Adino the Eznite who killed eight hundred men">c</a></sup></span> in one encounter.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="See 1 Chron. 11:13; Hebrew gathered there.">d</a></sup></span> for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The <span class="name">Lord</span> brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the <span class="name">Lord</span> brought about a great victory.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the <span class="name">Lord</span>. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>“Far be it from me, <span class="name">Lord</span>, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.</p><p class="reg">Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Most Hebrew manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:20); two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac Thirty">e</a></sup></span> He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.</p> <div class="outlinelist"><p class="item1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Among the Thirty were:</p><p class="item2">Asahel the brother of Joab,</p><p class="item2">Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Shammah the Harodite,</p><p class="item2">Elika the Harodite,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Helez the Paltite,</p><p class="item2">Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Abiezer from Anathoth,</p><p class="item2">Sibbekai <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 21:18; 1 Chron. 11:29); Hebrew Mebunnai">f</a></sup></span> the Hushathite,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Zalmon the Ahohite,</p><p class="item2">Maharai the Netophathite,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Heled <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate (see also 1 Chron. 11:30); most Hebrew manuscripts Heleb">g</a></sup></span> son of Baanah the Netophathite,</p><p class="item2">Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Benaiah the Pirathonite,</p><p class="item2">Hiddai <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:32) Hurai">h</a></sup></span> from the ravines of Gaash,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Abi-Albon the Arbathite,</p><p class="item2">Azmaveth the Barhumite,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Eliahba the Shaalbonite,</p><p class="item2">the sons of Jashen,</p><p class="item2">Jonathan <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>son of <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:34); Hebrew does not have son of.">i</a></sup></span> Shammah the Hararite,</p><p class="item2">Ahiam son of Sharar <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:35) Sakar">j</a></sup></span> the Hararite,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite,</p><p class="item2">Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>Hezro the Carmelite,</p><p class="item2">Paarai the Arbite,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,</p><p class="item2">the son of Hagri, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:38); Hebrew Haggadi">k</a></sup></span> </p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>Zelek the Ammonite,</p><p class="item2">Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>Ira the Ithrite,</p><p class="item2">Gareb the Ithrite</p> <p class="item2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>and Uriah the Hittite.</p><p class="item1">There were thirty-seven in all.</p></div><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="footnotes"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">8</span> <span class="footnotebot">Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts suggest <i>Ish-Bosheth,</i> that is, <i>Esh-Baal</i> (see also 1 Chron. 11:11 <i>Jashobeam</i>).</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">b</span> <span class="fnverse">8</span> <span class="footnotebot">Probably a variant of <i>Hakmonite</i> (see 1 Chron. 11:11)</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">c</span> <span class="fnverse">8</span> <span class="footnotebot">Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:11); Hebrew and other Septuagint manuscripts <i>Three; it was Adino the Eznite who killed eight hundred men</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">d</span> <span class="fnverse">9</span> <span class="footnotebot">See 1 Chron. 11:13; Hebrew <i>gathered there</i>.</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">e</span> <span class="fnverse">18</span> <span class="footnotebot">Most Hebrew manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:20); two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac <i>Thirty</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">f</span> <span class="fnverse">27</span> <span class="footnotebot">Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 21:18; 1 Chron. 11:29); Hebrew <i>Mebunnai</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">g</span> <span class="fnverse">29</span> <span class="footnotebot">Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate (see also 1 Chron. 11:30); most Hebrew manuscripts <i>Heleb</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">h</span> <span class="fnverse">30</span> <span class="footnotebot">Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:32) <i>Hurai</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">i</span> <span class="fnverse">33</span> <span class="footnotebot">Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:34); Hebrew does not have <i>son of.</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">j</span> <span class="fnverse">33</span> <span class="footnotebot">Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:35) <i>Sakar</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">k</span> <span class="fnverse">36</span> <span class="footnotebot">Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:38); Hebrew <i>Haggadi</i></span><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. 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