David is anointed king
1All the people of Israel went to David at Hebron “Look, we are your own flesh and blood. 2Even when Saul was our king, you led Israel in battle; and Yahweh your God said to you, ‘You are the man who shall be shepherd of my people Israel and shall be ruler over them.’” 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the presence of Yahweh, and he became king of Israel, just as Yahweh had promised through Samuel.
4David with all the Israelites attacked Jerusalem (that is to say, Jebus); there lived the Jebusites. 5They said to David, “You will not get in here.” But David captured the fortress of Zion, and it became the City of David. 6David said, “The first man to attack the Jebusites shall become leader and commander of the army.” Joab son of Zeruiah attacked first and became commander. 7David went to live in the fortress, and because of this it was called the City of David. 8He then built a wall around the city, and the Millo as well as the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. 9David grew greater and greater, and Yahweh Sabaoth was with him.
David’s champions
10These are the famous warriors of David, those who during his rule struggled with him and with all Israel, to make him king as Yahweh had promised. 11This is the list of David’s warriors: Jashobeam the Hachmonite, leader of the Thirty; one day he wielded his battle-ax against three hundred whom he killed at one time.
12After him there was Eleazar son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three champions. 13He was with David at Pasdammim where the Philistines had gathered to attack. There was a field full of barley there. When the Israelites started to run away, 14Eleazar took a stand in the middle of the field, defended it and fought the Philistines. So Yahweh brought about a great victory.
15The Thirty leading soldiers went down to David at the rock near the Cave of Adullam while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of the Rephaim. 16David was then on a fortified hill, and a group of Philistines had occupied Bethlehem. 17David sighed, “Oh, if someone would fetch me a drink of water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem!” 18At this The Three, forcing their way through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem and, bringing it away, presented it to David. But David would drink none of it and poured it out as an offering to Yahweh. 19“God keep me,” he said, “from doing this! Am I to drink the blood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” And so he would not drink it. Such were the deeds of The Three.
20Abishai, the brother of Joab, was leader of The Thirty. He fought with his spear against three hundred whom he killed, winning himself a name among The Thirty. 21He was the most famous of The Thirty and became their captain, but he was not as famous as The Three.
22Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a hero from Kabzeel, did many brave deeds; he killed the two Ariels of Moab. One snowy day, he went down and killed the lion in a pit. 23He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man seven and a half feet tall. The Egyptian had a gigantic spear in his hand, but Benaiah attacked him with a club, snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed the man with it. 24Such were the deeds of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, winning him a name among the thirty leading soldiers. 25He was famous among The Thirty, but he was not as famous as The Three. David put him in command of his bodyguard.
26The other valiant warriors were: Asahel the brother of Joab. Elhanan son of Dodo, from Bethlehem. 27Shammoth from Harod, Helez the Pelonite. 28Ira son of Ikkesh, from Tekoa. Abiezer from Anathoth. 29Sibbecai from Hushah. Ilai from Ahoh. 30Maharai from Netophah. Heled son of Baanah, from Netophah. 31Ithai son of Ribai, from Gibeah of Benjamin. Benaiah from Pirathon. 32Hurai from the valleys near Gaash. Abiel from Bethhaarabah. 33Azmaveth from Baharum. Eliahba from Shaalbon. 34Benehashem from Gizon. Jonathan son of Shagee, from Harar. 35Ahiam son of Sachar, from Harar. Eliphelet son of Ur. 36Hepher from Mecherah. Ahijah the Pelonite. 37Hezro from Carmel. Naarai son of Ezbai. 38Joel the brother of Nathan. Mibhar son of Hagri. 39Zelek the Ammonite. Naharai from Beeroth, armor bearer to Joab son of Zeruiah. 40Ira from Jattir. Gareb from Jattir. 41Uriah the Hittite. Zabad son of Ahlai.
42Adina son of Shiza (a leading member of the tribe of Reuben, with his own group of thirty soldiers). 43Hanan son of Maacah. Joshaphat the Mithnite. 44Uzzia from Ashteroth. Shama and Jeiel, sons of Hotham the Aroerite. 45Jediaelson of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite. 46Eliel the Mahavite. Jeribai and Joshaviah, sons of Elnaam. Ithmah the Moabite. 47Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel from Zoba.
