Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

All Israel gathered around David in Hebron, saying, "We are your bone and flesh. In times past, when Saul was king, you led out and brought in Israel, and the Lord your God said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel and ruler over my people Israel.'

The elders of Israel came to David in Hebron and made a covenant with him before the Lord. They anointed him king over Israel according to the word of the Lord through Samuel. David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, also known as Jebus, where the original inhabitants, the Jebusites, still resided.

The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You shall not come in," but David took the stronghold of Zion, which is now called the city of David. He declared, "Whoever strikes down the Jebusites first will be chief and captain." Joab son of Zeruiah went first and became the leader.

David made his home in the castle, and it was therefore named the city of David. He built the city around from Millo all the way around, and Joab repaired the rest of it. As he grew in stature and influence, the Lord of hosts was with him.

Among David's mighty men were leaders who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom to establish him as king according to God's word concerning Israel. There was Jashobeam, an Hachmonite who was chief of the captains and lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.

Eleazar, son of Dodo the Ahohite, was another of David's mighty men, and he was one of David's three mighties. When David and his men were in Pasdammim, where the Philistines had gathered to fight, they set themselves in the midst of that parcel and delivered it, with God bringing about a great rescue on their behalf.

Three of David's thirty captains went down to the cave of Adullam while the Philistine army camped in the valley of Rephaim. They brought water from the well in Bethlehem by the city gate for David who was hiding there. But David refused to drink it, pouring it out as an offering to the Lord.

Abishai, brother of Joab, was chief among three warriors who had distinguished themselves by killing 300 Philistines with their spear. Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was a man of great courage who had accomplished many feats, including killing two Moabite warriors and a lion in a pit on a snowy day.

He also slew an Egyptian warrior five cubits high, who wielded a spear like a weaver's beam. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, had a reputation among the three mighty warriors and was appointed over David's guard by him.

Among the valiant men were Asahel, brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth.

Sibbecai the Hushathite was more honorable than the thirty but did not attain to the first three. David set him over his guard. Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, and Benaiah the Pirathonite were also among them.

Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, Jonathan son of Shage the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sacar the Hararite, and Eliphal the son of Ur were among David's mighty warriors.

Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai, Joel brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Haggeri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai an armor-bearer from Beroth who served under Joab, Ira the Ithrite, and Gareb the Ithrite were also included.

Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai, Adina son of Shiza a Reubenite leader with thirty men, Hanan son of Maachah, Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzziah the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel sons of Hothan the Aroerite, Jediael son of Shimri, Joha his brother known as a Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai, and Joshaviah sons of Elnaam, along with Ithmah the Moabite were all among David's mighty men.