1 And these are the last words of David: The utterance of David, son of Jesse, and the utterance of the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob {Elohei Yaakov, Chosen Protector}, and the sweet singer of the songs of Israel {zemirot: poetic musical praises}.
2 The Spirit of the LORD {YHWH, Divine Speaker} spoke through me, and His word was upon my tongue {leshoni: instrument of utterance}.
3 The God of Israel {Elohei Yisrael, Covenant Guardian} has spoken, the Rock of Israel {tsur Yisrael, Unchanging Foundation} has declared to me: “A ruler among men must be just, ruling in the fear of God {Elohim, Divine Judge}.”
4 And he shall be like the light of morning when the sun shines on a cloudless dawn; from the brightness {nogah: post-rain glow} after rain comes grass {deshe: fresh green growth} from the earth.
5 Although my house is not so with God {El, Covenant Sustainer}, yet He has set for me an everlasting covenant, arranged in all things and kept secure, for all my salvation {yishi: personal deliverance} and every desire—though He does not cause it to sprout.
6 But worthless {beliyaal: contemptible person} men are all like banished thorns, for they cannot be taken by hand {yad: symbol of personal action}.
7 And the man who touches them must be equipped {yimmale: armed for defense} with iron and the shaft of a spear, and with fire to burn, they shall be completely consumed in their resting place {basshevet: dwelling spot}.
8 These are the names of the mighty men {gibborim: elite warriors} who belonged to David: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahkemonite, chief of the three; he was Adino the Eznite, against eight hundred slain {chalal: fallen in battle} at one time.
9 And after him was Eleazar, son of Dodo the Ahohite {achochi: clan descendant}, one of the three mighty men {gibborim: elite warriors} with David when they defied the Philistines gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew.
10 He stood up and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD {YHWH, Deliverer} brought about a great victory {teshua: deliverance} that day, and the people returned after him only to strip the slain.
11 And after him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines assembled at Lehi on a plot {chelqat: small land section} of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from before the Philistines {Pelishtim: coastal invaders}.
12 He stationed himself in the midst of the field and delivered it, and struck the Philistines; and the LORD {YHWH, Mighty Deliverer} made a great victory {teshua: powerful rescue}.
13 And three of the chiefs {rosh: appointed leaders} of the thirty went down and came to David at the cave {mearat: place of refuge} of Adullam, and a troop of the Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
14 And David was then in the stronghold {metsudah: fortified place}, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem {beit lechem: house of bread}.
15 And David {dawid: anointed king} longed and said, “Who will give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem {beit-lechem: house of bread} which is by the gate?”
16 So the three mighty men {gibborim: elite warriors} broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate, carried it, and brought it to David. But he was not willing to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD {YHWH, Honor Receiver}.
17 And he said, “Far be it from me, LORD {YHWH, Covenant Honorer}, to do this! Is it not the blood of the men {anashim: valiant ones} who went with their lives? And he would not consent to drink it. These things the three mighty men did.”
18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah, was chief {rosh: leading position} of the Three; he lifted his spear against three hundred men and struck them down, and he had a name {shem: reputation} among the Three.
19 He was indeed more honored {nikhbad: recognized with high distinction} than the Three, and he became their commander {sar: military leader}, but he did not come up to the Three.
20 And Benaiah son of Jehoiada, son of a man renowned for valor, performed great deeds in Kabzeel {Kabzeel: remote Judahite town} and struck down the two Ariel {Ariel: lion-like champions} of Moab, and he also went down and struck the lion in the midst of the pit on a snowy day.
21 And he struck down an Egyptian man of impressive appearance {marʾeh: notable presence}. Although the Egyptian held a spear {khanit: long-shafted thrusting weapon} in his hand, he went down to him with a staff, took the spear from his hand, and killed him with it.
22 These things Benaiah son of Jehoiada accomplished {asah: performed notable deeds}, and he had a name among the three mighty men {gibborim: renowned warriors}.
23 He was honored from among the thirty, but he did not come to the three {shelosha: inner circle}, and David set him over his guard {mishma’at: personal protection detail}.
24 Asahel the brother {achi: family tie} of Joab was among the Thirty, and Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem {beit: place of origin}.
25 Shammah the {ha: definite article} Harodite and Elika the Harodite {charodi: inhabitant of Harod}.
26 Helez the Paltite {hapalti: from Palat} and Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite {hateqoi: from Tekoa}.
27 Abiezer the Anathothite {anatoti: settlement of priests} and Mebunnai the Hushathite {khushati: inhabitant of Khusha}.
28 Tsalmon the Ahohite {achochi: descendant of Ahoah}, Maharai the Netophathite {netofathi: from Netophah}
29 Heleb son of Baanah the Netophathite {netophathite: inhabitant of Netophah} and Ittai son of Ribai of Gibeah among the sons of Benjamin {binyamin: tribal territory}.
30 Benaiah the Pirathonite {piratoni: resident of Pirathon}, Hiddai from the ravines {nachalei: seasonal streams} of Gaash.
31 Avi-Alvon {avi-alvon: father of Albon} the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite {barhumi: from Bahurim}.
32 Elyahba the Shaalbonite {sha'alboni: clan designation}, the sons of Yashen, Jonathan {yehonatan: YHWH has given}.
33 Shammah the Hararite {ha’arari: mountain dweller}, Ahiam son {ben: direct male descendant} of Sharar the Hararite.
34 Eliphelet son of Achasbai {achasbai: my brother surrounds}, son of the Maacathite {maakhati: from Maacah region}; and Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite.
35 Hezro (Hezrai) the Carmelite {karmeli: inhabitant of Carmel}, Paarai the Arbite {arbi: inhabitant of Arab}.
36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah {mitsovah: designation of origin}, Bani the Gadite {hagadi: descendant of Gad}.
37 Zelek the Ammonite {ammoni: inhabitant of Ammon}, Naharai the Beerothite, the one bearing {nosei: carrying the arms} the equipment of Joab son of Zeruiah.
38 Ira the Ithrite {yitri: descendant of Jether} and Gareb the Ithrite {yitri: clan association}.
39 Uriah the Hittite—there were thirty-seven {sheloshim ve-shivah: combined cardinal} in all {kol: totality}.