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circa 1010–970 BC

The Reign of David

David unites the tribes, conquers Jerusalem, and establishes Israel's golden age—even through deep personal failure.

1,230 verses · 2 books covered

Verses from This Period

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  1. David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”

  2. The three 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 David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,

  3. and said, “My God forbid it me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?” For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.

  4. Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.

  5. Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain: however he didn’t attain to the three.

  6. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

  7. He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and 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.

  8. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.

  9. Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three: and David set him over his guard.

  10. Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

  11. Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

  12. Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

  13. Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

  14. Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,

  15. Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

  16. Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,

  17. Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

  18. the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite,

  19. Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,

  20. Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,

  21. Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,

  22. Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,

  23. Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,

  24. Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

  25. Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,