15. David had a strong desire for some water. He said, “Oh, I wish someone would get me water from the well near the city gate of Bethlehem!”
16. So the three warriors broke through the Philistine army. They took water out of the well near the city gate of Bethlehem. Then they took it to David. But he refused to drink it. He poured it out on the ground before the Lord.
17. David said, “Lord, I can’t drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of the men who risked their lives!” So David refused to drink the water. These were the brave things that the three warriors did.
18. Abishai was the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah. He was captain of the Three. Abishai used his spear against 300 enemies and killed them. He became as famous as the Three.
19. Abishai received even more honor than the Three. He became their commander. But he was not a member of them.
20. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave fighter from Kabzeel. He did many brave things. He killed two of the best soldiers from Moab. He also went down into a pit when it was snowing. There he killed a lion.
21. Benaiah killed a big Egyptian. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand. But Benaiah only had a club. Benaiah grabbed the spear from the Egyptian’s hand. Then Benaiah killed him with his own spear.
22. These were the brave things that Benaiah son of Jehoiada did. He was as famous as the Three.
23. He received more honor than the Thirty. But he did not become a member of the Three. David made him leader of his bodyguard.
24. The following men were among the Thirty:Asahel the brother of Joab;Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
25. Shammah the Harodite;Elika the Harodite;
26. Helez the Paltite;Ira son of Ikkesh (from Tekoa);
27. Abiezer the Anathothite;Mebunnai the Hushathite;
28. Zalmon the Ahohite;Maharai the Netophathite;
29. Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite;Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the land of Benjamin;