2 Samuel 23: David's Last Words and Mighty Men

David speaks his last words: the Spirit of the Lord spoke by him, and a righteous ruler is like the light of morning. God has made an everlasting covenant with him. Then the chapter lists David's mighty men, including three who bring him water from the well of Bethlehem. David will not drink it and pours it out to the Lord.

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Read 2 Samuel 23

World English Bible · 39 verses

¹ Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² “Yahweh’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ shall be as the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after rain.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Isn’t my house so with God? Yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, for it is all my salvation and all my desire. Won’t he make it grow?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ But all the ungodly will be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can’t be taken with the hand.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear. They will be utterly burned with fire in their place.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth, a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; he was called Adino the Eznite, who killed eight hundred at one time.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ After him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel had gone away.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and Yahweh worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take plunder.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ After him was Shammah the son of Agee, a Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² But he stood in the middle of the plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh worked a great victory.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ The three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David; but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ He said, “Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this! Isn’t this the blood of the men who risked their lives to go?” Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Wasn’t he most honorable of the three? Therefore he was made their captain. However he wasn’t included as one of the three.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit in a time of snow.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ He killed a huge Egyptian, and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ He was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three. David set him over his guard.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty: Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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Open Preschool on its own page

2 Samuel 23 · Preschool

God's Word

Name Date

Color the well and the sun! David's mighty men brought him water.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Yahweh’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.

2 Samuel 23:2 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: God gave David words to say. God speaks to us through His word too.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Samuel 23 · Grade 4

An Everlasting Covenant

Name Date

Read and Think

David's last words begin with a humble claim: the Spirit of Yahweh spoke by him. God told him that a ruler who rules righteously in the fear of God is like the morning light on a cloudless day, making tender grass grow after rain. David admitted his house was not perfect, yet God had made with him an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure.

The rest of the chapter honors David's mighty men. The writer notes again and again that Yahweh worked a great victory through them. Eleazar fought until his hand grew weary and clung to his sword. Shammah stood firm in a field of lentils when others fled. Benaiah did many brave acts and was set over David's guard.

The most touching story is about water. Hiding in the cave of Adullam, David longed for water from the well of Bethlehem. Three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines to get it. David refused to drink. He poured it out as an offering to Yahweh, because the water had cost the men's lives at great risk.

Show What You Know

What did God tell David a righteous ruler is like?
What did David admit about his house?
Who worked the great victories through the mighty men?
Why did David pour out the water?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

mightywellwatermorningGod

God told him that a ruler who rules righteously in the fear of God is like the light on a cloudless day, making tender grass grow after rain.
David admitted his house was not perfect, yet had made with him an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure.
The most touching story is about .
Hiding in the cave of Adullam, David longed for water from the of Bethlehem.
Three men broke through the Philistine lines to get it.

Think About It

David knew his house was not perfect, but God's covenant was sure. How does God's faithfulness give you hope when you fail?
David treated his men's sacrifice as too precious to use for himself. How can you honor the sacrifices others make for you?

Memory Verse

“Yahweh’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.

2 Samuel 23:2 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for every new morning. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you turn your thanks for faithful friends into a prayer?
Why do you think Uriah's name is at the end of the list?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Samuel 23 · Grade 5

The Last Words of David

Name Date

Read and Think

Chapter 23 opens with a short prophetic poem called the last words of David, the son of Jesse, the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel. David says Yahweh's Spirit spoke by him and His word was on his tongue. The Rock of Israel described the ideal ruler: one who rules over men righteously, in the fear of God, is like the light of the morning when the sun rises, like clear shining after rain.

David asks, Isn't my house so with God? He knew his family had failed, yet God had made with him an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure. It was all his salvation and all his desire. By contrast, the ungodly are like thorns thrust away and burned.

The chapter then honors the mighty men. Josheb Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah formed the three, and each time the text gives credit to Yahweh for the victory. Abishai and Benaiah were renowned as well. In the cave of Adullam, David longed for water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate. Three men broke through the Philistine garrison and brought it, but David poured it out to Yahweh, refusing to drink what had cost men's lives. The list of the thirty ends with a sobering name: Uriah the Hittite.

Show What You Know

What titles describe David in his last words?
What did David know about his house?
What are the ungodly like?
Who gets credit for the victories of the mighty men?
Why is the last name in the list sobering?

Crossword

Across

water to drink from the ____ of Bethlehem
but ____ it out to Yahweh
when the tender ____ springs out of the earth

Down

The town with the well by the gate
as the light of the ____ when the sun rises

Think About It

David's hope rested on God's covenant, not on his own record. How does that apply to your relationship with God?
The list ends with Uriah's name, a reminder of David's sin. Why do you think the Bible is honest about the failures of its heroes?

Memory Verse

“Yahweh’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.

2 Samuel 23:2 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for every new morning. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does a righteous ruler in the fear of God look like?
How can we honor people who sacrifice for us?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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‹ All 2 Samuel chapters · All books

2 Samuel 23: David's Last Words and Mighty Men

Read 2 Samuel 23

Worksheets

God's Word

Prayer

Take It Home

Light of Morning

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Brave and Loyal

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

David's Last Words

Prayer

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Water from the Well

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

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Light After Rain

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

David's Last Words

Prayer

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An Everlasting Covenant

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

The Last Words of David

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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