14. David was in the stronghold at the time, while a Philistine garrison was in Bethlehem.
15. David was thirsty and said, “How I wish someone would give me some water to drink from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate!”
16. So the three elite warriors broke through the Philistine forces and drew some water from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate. They carried it back to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it out as a drink offering to the Lord
17. and said, “O Lord, I will not do this! It is equivalent to the blood of the men who risked their lives by going.” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three elite warriors.
18. Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was head of the three. He killed three hundred men with his spear and gained fame among the three.
19. From the three he was given honor and he became their officer, even though he was not one of the three.
20. Benaiah son of Jehoida was a brave warrior from Kabzeel who performed great exploits. He struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in a cistern on a snowy day.