וַיִּקָּבְצוּ כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל־דָּוִיד חֶבְרוֹנָה לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה עַצְמְךָ וּבְשָׂרְךָ אֲנָחְנוּ

Once Saul had been killed, and his surviving son, who had ruled for a brief period, had also been assassinated, there was no designated heir to the throne. All Israel gathered to David, to Hebron, saying: Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. We are all one people; you are not a stranger to us. Although at that point David ruled only over the tribe of Judah, representatives from other tribes approached him in order to reestablish the monarchy over the entire people, just as Saul had ruled over the entire people.

גַּם־תְּמוֹל גַּם־שִׁלְשׁוֹם גַּם בִּהְיוֹת שָׁאוּל מֶלֶךְ אַתָּה הַמּוֹצִיא וְהַמֵּבִיא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְךָ אַתָּה תִרְעֶה אֶת־עַמִּי אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאַתָּה תִּהְיֶה נָגִיד עַל עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל

In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and led them in. Even during Saul’s reign, you were a leader in military and other matters. Although, over time, you were partially removed from those roles, you have always been a central figure for us; and the Lord your God said to you: You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be ruler over My people Israel. This, of course, is a reference to David’s anointment as king by Samuel.

וַיָּבֹאוּ כָּל־זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ חֶבְרוֹנָה וַיִּכְרֹת לָהֶם דָּוִיד בְּרִית בְּחֶבְרוֹן לִפְנֵי ה' וַיִּמְשְׁחוּ אֶת־דָּוִיד לְמֶלֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּדְבַר ה' בְּיַד־שְׁמוּאֵל

All the elders of Israel ultimately came to the king, to Hebron, and David established a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord. They agreed that David would be their king, and he accepted the position. They anointed David king over Israel, in accordance with the word of the Lord conveyed by means of Samuel. Although David had already been anointed by Samuel, that anointment was private, and of limited significance. His anointment in Hebron signified a national decision to crown him as king.

וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִיד וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל יְרוּשָׁלִַם הִיא יְבוּס וְשָׁם הַיְבוּסִי יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ

David could not rule over all Israel from Hebron, as the city is situated in the middle of the tribal territory of Judah, far removed from the other tribes, and associated exclusively with the tribe of Judah. Therefore, one of David’s first actions was to search for an alternative center for his monarchy. While doing so, he also proved his might. David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is the city that was then called Yevus, and the Yevusites, one of the Canaanite tribes, inhabitants of the land, were living there.

וַיֹּאמְרוּ יֹשְׁבֵי יְבוּס לְדָוִיד לֹא תָבוֹא הֵנָּה

The inhabitants of Yevus said to David: You shall not come here. Yevus was an enclave that had never been completely conquered by the Israelites when they entered the Land of Israel. However, relations between the Yevusites of Jerusalem and the Israelites were apparently civil. Although the Yevusites were not a populous people and were not full-fledged soldiers, they resisted David’s army when it came to conquer the city. In the first stage, David captured a fortress adjacent to the city, in the environs of the Temple Mount, which was later called the stronghold of Zion, which is the City of David. It seems this was a specific point through which one could enter the city. The parallel account in II Samuel (5:6–8) indicates that control over this spot would enable an army to breach the city.

וַיִּלְכֹּד דָּוִיד אֶת מְצֻדַת צִיּוֹן הִיא עִיר דָּוִיד וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִיד כָּל־מַכֵּה יְבוּסִי בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה יִהְיֶה לְרֹאשׁ וּלְשָׂר וַיַּעַל בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה יוֹאָב בֶּן־צְרוּיָה וַיְהִי לְרֹאשׁ

David said: Whoever smites the Yevusite, breaks their resistance first, will be a leader and an officer; he will be appointed to a senior position. Yoav son of Tzeruya ascended to the city first, and he became a leader.

וַיֵּשֶׁב דָּוִיד בַּמְצָד עַל־כֵּן קָרְאוּ־לוֹ עִיר דָּוִיד

David dwelled in the stronghold, the fortified area of the city; therefore they called it, and the area later built around it, the City of David.

וַיִּבֶן הָעִיר מִסָּבִיב מִן־הַמִּלּוֹא וְעַד־הַסָּבִיב וְיוֹאָב יְחַיֶּה אֶת־שְׁאָר הָעִיר

He built the city around, from the Milo until the surrounding wall. There were empty areas between the stronghold and the wall of the city, which David and his son Solomon filled [millu]. Originally, Jerusalem was not entirely fortified and protected, but after the construction of the Milo, the entire city was surrounded by a wall. Yoav restored, or provided for, the rest of the city. David’s palace was initially located in the City of David, but later an actual palace was built for him. The other side of the city, where David did not reside, was Yoav’s responsibility.

וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִיד הָלוֹךְ וְגָדוֹל וַה' צְבָאוֹת עִמּוֹ

David grew steadily greater, as the Lord of hosts was with him. David became a great king who waged wars, conquered countries, and expanded the borders of Israel.

וְאֵלֶּה רָאשֵׁי הַגִּבֹּרִים אֲשֶׁר לְדָוִיד הַמִּתְחַזְּקִים עִמּוֹ בְמַלְכוּתוֹ עִם־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהַמְלִיכוֹ כִּדְבַר ה' עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל

The following is a list of David’s mighty men, men in special positions and ranks; a parallel list appears in the book of Samuel. These are the heads of the mighty who were with David, who exerted themselves with him to assist him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to crown him king, in accordance with the word of the Lord concerning Israel. Some of them performed acts of individual heroism, as related here; others grew close to David as courageous individuals and over time were appointed commanders in his army; some filled senior, prominent positions.

וְאֵלֶּה מִסְפַּר הַגִּבֹּרִים אֲשֶׁר לְדָוִיד יָשָׁבְעָם בֶּן־חַכְמוֹנִי רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁלִישִׁים הוּא־עוֹרֵר אֶת־חֲנִיתוֹ עַל־שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵאוֹת חָלָל בְּפַעַם אֶחָת

This is the number of the mighty who were with David: The first on the list is Yoshovam son of Hakhmoni, who was head of the officers; he wielded his spear against three hundred men who were slain by him on one occasion, in a single encounter, with his own unique strength.

וְאַחֲרָיו אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן־דּוֹדוֹ הָאֲחוֹחִי הוּא בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁה הַגִּבֹּרִים

After him, Elazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, the name of the patriarch of his family; alternatively, Ahohite refers to a place; who was among the three mighty ones, an outstanding team of warriors notable for their exploits, as related in the following verses.

הוּא־הָיָה עִם־דָּוִיד בַּפַּס דַּמִּים וְהַפְּלִשְׁתִּים נֶאֶסְפוּ־שָׁם לַמִּלְחָמָה וַתְּהִי חֶלְקַת הַשָּׂדֶה מְלֵאָה שְׂעוֹרִים וְהָעָם נָסוּ מִפְּנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים

He was with David at a place called Pas Damim, or Efes Damim. The reason for either of these names is unknown. And the Philistines gathered there for war. This is referring to the early clashes between the Philistines and David, when the Philistines sent a force to weaken David and to contain and damage his kingdom. The Philistines sought to prevent the kingdom of Israel from posing a threat to them. They knew David both as an ally, from the time he spent in their camp, and as a formidable adversary. In their wars, they sought to preserve their hegemony in the region, and their superior status. There was a tract of a field full of barley, and the people fled from before the Philistines, and some hid in that field.

וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ בְתוֹךְ־הַחֶלְקָה וַיַּצִּילוּהָ וַיַּכּוּ אֶת־פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיּוֹשַׁע ה' תְּשׁוּעָה גְדוֹלָה

They stood, Elazar and another hero, or Elazar and his men, in the midst of the tract, and saved it, and they smote the Philistines. They successfully halted the Philistine advance, and even protected the produce of the field from damage. The Lord rescued them with a great salvation.

וַיֵּרְדוּ שְׁלוֹשָׁה מִן־הַשְּׁלוֹשִׁים רֹאשׁ עַל־הַצֻּר אֶל־דָּוִיד אֶל־מְעָרַת עֲדֻלָּם וּמַחֲנֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים חֹנָה בְּעֵמֶק רְפָאִים

Three of the thirty leaders went down to the rock that served as a fortress and shelter, to David, to the cave of Adulam.It is unclear whether this occurred before or after he conquered Jerusalem. And the Philistine camp was encamped in the Valley of Refaim,an open area near Jerusalem.

וְדָוִיד אָז בַּמְּצוּדָה וּנְצִיב פְּלִשְׁתִּים אָז בְּבֵית לָחֶם

David was then in the stronghold, the rock adjacent to the cave of Adulam, and a Philistine garrison was then in Bethlehem. After the defeat of Israel at Gilboa, and Saul’s death, the Philistines extended their rule into the land of Judah. Therefore, a Philistine governor ruled the city of Bethlehem and its environs, and a garrison defended it.

וַיִּתְאָו דָּוִיד וַיֹּאמַר מִי יַשְׁקֵנִי מַיִם מִבּוֹר בֵּית־לֶחֶם אֲשֶׁר בַּשָּׁעַר

David had a craving and said: Who will give me water to drink from the cistern of Bethlehem, which is at the gate? Bethlehem was not far from the Valley of Refaim. David was raised in Bethlehem, and he remembered it from its peaceful days. It does not appear that David made a special request; rather he was merely waxing nostalgic about that water, as he could have easily obtained water collected in waterholes in the desert, or elsewhere.

וַיִּבְקְעוּ הַשְּׁלֹשָׁה בְּמַחֲנֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיִּשְׁאֲבוּ־מַיִם מִבּוֹר בֵּית־לֶחֶם אֲשֶׁר בַּשַּׁעַר וַיִּשְׂאוּ וַיָּבִאוּ אֶל־דָּוִיד וְלֹא־אָבָה דָוִיד לִשְׁתּוֹתָם וַיְנַסֵּךְ אֹתָם לַה'

When three of David’s men heard his wish, the three mighty men, who were great admirers of David, fought and breached the fortified Philistine camp, and drew water from the cistern of Bethlehem, which was at the gate. They carried it and brought it to David, but David was unwilling to drink it, and instead he poured it out to the Lord, as a water libation to God.

וַיֹּאמֶר חָלִילָה לִּי מֵאֱלֹהַי מֵעֲשׂוֹת זֹאת הֲדַם הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה אֶשְׁתֶּה בְנַפְשׁוֹתָם כִּי בְנַפְשׁוֹתָם הֱבִיאוּם וְלֹא אָבָה לִשְׁתּוֹתָם אֵלֶּה עָשׂוּ שְׁלֹשֶׁת הַגִּבּוֹרִים

He, David, said: Far be it from me by my God to do this, to drink this water; shall I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it. Since these men put their lives at risk for this water, it is as though their own blood is mixed with it. It is therefore inappropriate for me to drink this water that was acquired with blood. He was unwilling to drink it. These were done by the mighty three. These three mighty men achieved renown through this extraordinary deed.

וְאַבְשַׁי אֲחִי־יוֹאָב הוּא הָיָה רֹאשׁ הַשְּׁלוֹשָׁה וְהוּא עוֹרֵר אֶת־חֲנִיתוֹ עַל־שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת חָלָל וְלוֹ־שֵׁם בַּשְּׁלוֹשָׁה

Avshai, here called Avshai but consistently referred to as Avishai in the book of Samuel, brother of Yoav, he was head of the three. He wielded his spear against three hundred slain, and he had renown among the three.

מִן־הַשְּׁלוֹשָׁה בַשְּׁנַיִם נִכְבָּד וַיְהִי לָהֶם לְשָׂר וְעַד הַשְּׁלוֹשָׁה לֹא־בָא

Of the three, Tahkemoni, Elazar, and Shama, he was more esteemed, in his personal courage, than two, and he became their commander. Avishai rose in the ranks of command and over time became one of David’s great commanders, but he did not come with the three. Although Avishai was their leader, he was not included as one of the three.

בְּנָיָה בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָע בֶּן־אִישׁ־חַיִל רַב־פְּעָלִים מִן קַבְצְאֵל הוּא הִכָּה אֵת שְׁנֵי אֲרִיאֵל מוֹאָב וְהוּא יָרַד וְהִכָּה אֶת־הָאֲרִי בְּתוֹךְ הַבּוֹר בְּיוֹם הַשָּׁלֶג

Another mighty man, Benaya son of Yehoyada, was the son of an accomplished, valiant man from a place called Kavtze’el, and he smote the two champions [ariel],a term that also appears on the Mesha Stele of King Mesha of Moav, and which apparently means “special forces,” who were in the camp of Moav. And in another episode that displays Benaya’s personal valor, he went down and smote the lion inside the pit on the snowy day. Benaya descended alone into a pit on a snowy day, and managed to overcome a distressed lion that he found there.

וְהוּא הִכָּה אֶת־הָאִישׁ הַמִּצְרִי אִישׁ מִדָּה חָמֵשׁ בָּאַמָּה וּבְיַד הַמִּצְרִי חֲנִית כִּמְנוֹר אֹרְגִים וַיֵּרֶד אֵלָיו בַּשָּׁבֶט וַיִּגְזֹל אֶת־הַחֲנִית מִיַּד הַמִּצְרִי וַיַּהַרְגֵהוּ בַּחֲנִיתוֹ

He smote the Egyptian man, who was a man of large dimensions, roughly five cubits high; in the Egyptian’s hand was a great spear like a large weaver’s beam that is found at the top of the loom; and he, Benaya, went against him with a staff, not a spear, and snatched the spear from the hand of the Egyptian and killed him with his own spear. Perhaps Benaya managed to snatch the spear from the Egyptian’s hand because the latter’s armor encumbered him, similar to the story of David and Goliath.

אֵלֶּה עָשָׂה בְּנָיָהוּ בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָע וְלוֹ־שֵׁם בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁה הַגִּבֹּרִים

These, Benaya son of Yehoyada did, and he had renown among the three mighty ones. Even the three mighty men considered him a remarkable hero.

מִן־הַשְּׁלוֹשִׁים הִנּוֹ נִכְבָּד הוּא וְאֶל־הַשְּׁלֹשָׁה לֹא־בָא וַיְשִׂימֵהוּ דָוִיד עַל־מִשְׁמַעְתּוֹ

He was considered more esteemed than the thirty mighty men listed below (see 27:6), but he did not reach the three. He was not as mighty as the three, who had become archetypes of courage and valor. And David appointed him over his guard. David gave Benaya command responsibilities; he was appointed commander of the Keretites and the Peletites, David’s personal guard detail.

וגִבּוֹרֵי הַחֲיָלִים עֲשָׂהאֵל אֲחִי יוֹאָב אֶלְחָנָן בֶּן־דּוֹדוֹ מִבֵּית לָחֶם

The names of the mighty warriors,including the aforementioned thirty mighty men, were: Asael, the younger brother of Yoav, who was killed by Avner, and Elhanan son of Dodo, both from Bethlehem;

שַׁמּוֹת הַהֲרוֹרִי חֵלֶץ הַפְּלוֹנִי

Shamot the Harorite, Heletz the Pelonite. It is possible that he was from a place called Peloni; alternatively, he was called Peloni, a placeholder name in Hebrew, because his place of origin was unknown.

עִירָא בֶן־עִקֵּשׁ הַתְּקוֹעִי אֲבִיעֶזֶר הָעַנְּתוֹתִי

Ira son of Ikesh the Tekoite, from the city of Tekoa in Judah, Aviezer the Anatotite, from Anatot in Benjamin;

סִבְּכַי הַחֻשָׁתִי עִילַי הָאֲחוֹחִי

Sibekhai the Hushatite, Ilai the Ahohite,the name of a family from the tribe of Benjamin (see 8:4);

מַהְרַי הַנְּטֹפָתִי חֵלֶד בֶּן־בַּעֲנָה הַנְּטוֹפָתִי

Mahrai the Netofatite, Heled son of Baana the Netofatite, both from the town of Netofa;

אִיתַי בֶּן־רִיבַי מִגִּבְעַת בְּנֵי בִנְיָמִן בְּנָיָה הַפִּרְעָתֹנִי

Itai son of Ribai from Giva of the Benjaminites, Benaya the Piratonite,from Piraton in Ephraim;

חוּרַי מִנַּחֲלֵי גָעַשׁ אֲבִיאֵל הָעַרְבָתִי

Hurai of Nahalei Gaash, Aviel the Arvatite,

עַזְמָוֶת הַבַּחֲרוּמִי אֶלְיַחְבָּא הַשַּׁעַלְבֹנִי

Azmavet the Baharumite, from a place called Bahurim, east of Jerusalem, Elyahba the Shaalvonite,from Shaalvin,

בְּנֵי הָשֵׁם הַגִּזוֹנִי יוֹנָתָן בֶּן־שָׁגֵה הַהֲרָרִי

the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Yonatan son of Shageh the Hararite,

אֲחִיאָם בֶּן־שָׂכָר הַהֲרָרִי אֱלִיפַל בֶּן־אוּר

Ahiam son of Sakhar the Hararite, Elifal son of Ur,

חֵפֶר הַמְּכֵרָתִי אֲחִיָּה הַפְּלֹנִי

Hefer the Mekheratite, Ahiya the Pelonite,

חֶצְרוֹ הַכַּרְמְלִי נַעֲרַי בֶּן־אֶזְבָּי

Hetzro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai,

יוֹאֵל אֲחִי נָתָן מִבְחָר בֶּן־הַגְרִי

Yoel brother of Natan; perhaps the prophet Natan, which may explain why he is linked to his brother; Mivhar son of Hagri,

צֶלֶק הָעַמּוֹנִי נַחְרַי הַבֵּרֹתִי נֹשֵׂא כְּלֵי יוֹאָב בֶּן־צְרוּיָה

Tzelek the Amonite, Nahrai the Berotite,from Be’erot, who was the armor-bearer, close assistant, of Yoav son of Tzeruya,

עִירָא הַיִּתְרִי גָּרֵב הַיִּתְרִי

Ira the Yitrite, Garev the Yitrite,

אוּרִיָּה הַחִתִּי זָבָד בֶּן־אַחְלָי

Uriya the Hitite, Zavad son of Ahlai,

עֲדִינָא בֶן־שִׁיזָא הָראוּבֵנִי רֹאשׁ לָראוּבֵנִי וְעָלָיו שְׁלֹשִׁים

Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who eventually became head of the Reubenites, and with him were thirty men,

חָנָן בֶּן־מַעֲכָה וְיוֹשָׁפָט הַמִּתְנִי

Hanan son of Maakha, and Yoshafat the Mitnite,

עֻזִּיָּא הָעַשְׁתְּרָתִי שָׁמָע וִיעִיאֵל בְּנֵי חוֹתָם הָעֲרֹעֵרִי

Uziya the Ashteratite, Shama and Ye’iel the sons of Hotam the Aroerite,

יְדִיעֲאֵל בֶּן־שִׁמְרִי וְיוֹחָא אָחִיו הַתִּיצִי

Yediael son of Shimri, and Yoha his brother, the Tizite,

אֱלִיאֵל הַמַּחֲוִים וִירִיבַי וְיוֹשַׁוְיָה בְּנֵי אֶלְנָעַם וְיִתְמָה הַמּוֹאָבִי

Eliel the Mahavite, and Yerivai and Yoshavya sons of Elnaam, and Yitma the Moavite,

אֱלִיאֵל וְעוֹבֵד וְיַעֲשִׂיאֵל הַמְּצֹבָיָה

Eliel, and Oved, and Yaasiel the Metzova’ite.