Skip to content
Journey Through the Bible

2 Samuel 23:18-39

18 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three.

19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men.

23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

24 Among the Thirty were:
Asahel the brother of Joab,
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

25 Shammah the Harodite,
Elika the Harodite,

26 Helez the Paltite,
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,

27 Abiezer from Anathoth,
Mebunnai the Hushathite,

28 Zalmon the Ahohite,
Maharai the Netophathite,

29 Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,

30 Benaiah the Pirathonite,
Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash,

31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite,
Azmaveth the Barhumite,

32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
the sons of Jashen,
Jonathan

33 son of Shammah the Hararite,
Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,

34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite,
Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

35 Hezro the Carmelite,
Paarai the Arbite,

36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,
the son of Hagri,

37 Zelek the Ammonite,
Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

38 Ira the Ithrite,
Gareb the Ithrite

39 and Uriah the Hittite.
There were thirty-seven in all.

Cross References for 2 Samuel 23:18-39

1 Samuel 26:6 - David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 26:6 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 26:6

1 Chronicles 2:16 - Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons were Abishai, Joab and Asahel. Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 2:16 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 2:16

2 Samuel 20:10 - Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his bell... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 20:10 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 20:10

2 Samuel 20:6 - David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bicri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 20:6 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 20:6

2 Samuel 20:21 - That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bicri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lif... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 20:21 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 20:21

2 Samuel 17:8 - You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 17:8 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 17:8

2 Samuel 2:18 - The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed ... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 2:18 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 2:18

2 Samuel 3:30 - (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the ... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 3:30 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 3:30

2 Samuel 18:2 - David sent the troops out—a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abish... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 18:2 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 18:2

2 Samuel 10:14 - When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were fleeing, they fled before Abishai and went inside... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 10:14 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 10:14

1 Chronicles 18:12 - Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 18:12 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 18:12

2 Samuel 10:10 - He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother and deployed them against t... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 10:10 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 10:10

1 Samuel 26:6-8 - David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 26:6-8 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 26:6-8

1 Chronicles 11:20-21 - Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred m... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:20-21 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:20-21