1 Chronicles 11:10-46

10These were the leaders of David's brave soldiers. They helped to make David's kingdom strong, so that he ruled over all the people in Israel. That is what the Lord had promised.

11This is the list of David's brave soldiers: Jashobeam belonged to Hakmoni's clan. He was the leader of David's officers. He used his spear to fight against 300 men in one battle and he killed all of them.

12Eleazar was also a leader among the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’. He was Dodo's son, who belonged to Ahoah's clan.

13Eleazar was with David at Pas-Dammim. The Philistine soldiers were ready to attack the Israelites. There was a field there with a lot of barley. The Israelites ran away from the Philistines.

14But David and Eleazar stood in the middle of the field to stop the Philistines taking it for themselves. They killed the Philistines. The Lord saved them. He caused them to win a great battle.

15There were 30 leaders among David's soldiers. Three of them went to be with David at Adullam's cave where there was a big rock. A group of Philistine soldiers had made their camp in Rephaim valley.

16David was in his strong safe place. A group of Philistine soldiers had made their home in Bethlehem.

17David was very thirsty. He said, ‘I want someone to bring water from the well near Bethlehem's gate for me to drink.’

18So the three soldiers fought through the Philistine camp and they reached Bethlehem's gate. They took some water from the well there and they carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it. He poured it on the ground as an offering to the Lord.

19He said, ‘God knows that it is not right for me to drink this water. It would seem like the blood of the brave men who fetched it for me. The Philistines might have killed them on the way.’ So David refused to drink it. That was one of the great things that those three brave soldiers did.

20Joab's brother Abishai was the leader of David's 30 great soldiers. One time, he used his spear to fight 300 men and he killed them all. So he became as famous as the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’.

21He was not one of the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’ but he received more honour than the other 30 great soldiers. So he became their leader.

22Jehoiada's son, Benaiah, was also one of David's brave soldiers. He came from Kabzeel and he did many great things. He killed two of Moab's best soldiers. He also went down into a deep hole to kill a lion when snow was on the ground.

23Benaiah also killed a very big Egyptian man who was 2.3 metres tall. The Egyptian held a spear that was thick and heavy, like a big tree. Benaiah attacked him with a heavy stick. He took the spear from the Egyptian's hand and he used it to kill him.

24Those were some things that Jehoiada's son Benaiah did. He became as famous as the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’.

25He received more honour than the other 30 great soldiers, but he did not belong to the ‘Three Brave Soldiers’. David made him the leader of his own special soldiers who were his guards.

26These men were also David's great soldiers: Joab's brother Asahel. Elhanan, Dodo's son, from Bethlehem.

27Shammoth, from Harod's clan. Helez, from Pelon's clan.

28Ira, Ikkesh's son, from Tekoa. Abiezer, from Anathoth.

29Sibbekai, from Hushah's clan. Ilai, from Ahoah's clan.

30Maharai, from Netophah. Heled, Baanah's son, also from Netophah.

31Ithai, Ribai's son, from Gibeah, in the land that belonged to Benjamin's tribe. Benaiah, from Pirathon.

32Hurai, from the valleys near Gaash. Abiel, from Arbah's clan.

33Azmaveth, from Baharum. Eliahba, from Shaalbon.

34Hashem's sons, who were Gizonites. Shagee's son Jonathan, from Harar.

35Sachar's son Ahiam, also from Harar. Ur's son Eliphal.

36Hepher, from Mekerath. Ahijah, from Pelon's clan.

37Hezro, from Carmel. Ezbai's son Naarai.

38Nathan's brother Joel. Hagri's son Mibhar.

39Zelek, from Ammon. Naharai, from Beeroth. He carried Joab's weapons. (Joab was the son of Zeruiah.)

40Ira and Gareb, from Jattir.

41Uriah, the Hittite. Ahlai's son Zabad.

42Shiza's son Adina, from Reuben's tribe. He was the leader of Reuben's soldiers. He had 30 brave soldiers with him.

43Maakah's son Hanan. Joshaphat, from Mithna.

44Uzzia, from Ashterath. Shama and Jeiel, sons of Hotham, from Aroer.

45Shimri's son Jediael. Jediael's brother Joha, from Tiz.

46Eliel, from Mahavah. Elnaam's sons, Jeribai and Joshaviah. Ithmah, from Moab.