16 Then the three mighty brake into the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took and brought it to David, who would not drink thereof, but [a]poured it for an offering unto the Lord,

17 And said, O Lord, be it far from me, that I should do this. Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

18 (A)And Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundred, [b]and slew them, and he had the name among the three.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 23:16 Bridling his affection, and also desiring God not to be offended for that rash enterprise.
  2. 2 Samuel 23:18 Hebrew, slain.

16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured(A) it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood(B) of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 23:18 Most Hebrew manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:20); two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac Thirty