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David Anointed King of All Israel

Verse1Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

Verse2Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

Verse3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem

Verse4Then David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus), where the Jebusites inhabited the land.

Verse5The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).

Verse6Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.

Verse7So David took up residence in the fortress; that is why it was called the City of David.

Verse8He built up the city around it, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city.

Verse9And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with him.

David’s Mighty Men

Verse10Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.

Verse11This is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the officers; he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one time.

Verse12Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men.

Verse13He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place with a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines.

Verse14But Eleazar and David stationed themselves in the middle of the field and defended it. They struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

Verse15Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.

Verse16At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem.

Verse17David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

Verse18So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,

Verse19saying, “Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

Verse20Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three.

Verse21He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

Verse22And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.

Verse23He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.

Verse24These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name along with the three mighty men.

Verse25He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.

Verse26Now these were the mighty men: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

Verse27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

Verse28Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

Verse29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

Verse30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,

Verse31Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

Verse32Hurai from the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,

Verse33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

Verse34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

Verse35Ahiam son of Sachar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur,

Verse36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,

Verse37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai,

Verse38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri,

Verse39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

Verse40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

Verse41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai,

Verse42Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him,

Verse43Hanan son of Maacah, Joshaphat the Mithnite,

Verse44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

Verse45Jediael son of Shimri and his brother Joha the Tizite,

Verse46Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite,

Verse47Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.