14. David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem.
15. David said longingly, ‘“Who would get me water to drink from the well which is by the gate in Bethlehem?’”
16. So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate, took it and brought it to David. However, he would not drink it but poured it out to Adonai
17. and he said, “‘Far be it from me, Adonai, that I should do this—the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?’” So he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.
18. Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Thirty. Once he wielded his spear against 300 and killed them—he had a reputation among the Three.
19. He was the most honored of the Thirty, so he was made their commander; however, he did not become one of the Three.
20. Then there was Benaiah son of Jehoiada, son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds. He killed the two from Ariel of Moab. Once, on a snowy day, he went down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit.
21. He also killed an Egyptian—an impressive man—the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff, snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.
22. These sort of things Benaiah son of Jehoiada did, so that he had a name as famous as that of the Three mighty men.
23. He was most honorable among the Thirty, but he attained not to the first Three. So David set him over his guard.
24. Asahel brother of Joab was one of the Thirty, also Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25. Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26. Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27. Aviezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,