The mighty men are recorded twice: 2 Samuel 23:8–39 and 1 Chronicles 11:10–47. The accounts agree on the heart of the story and differ in spelling, in a few names, and in length.
Where Each List Sits
In 2 Samuel the list comes right after "the last words of David" (2 Samuel 23:1–7), near the end of his life. In 1 Chronicles it comes right after David is anointed king over Israel at Hebron and takes Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 11:1–9), introducing the men "who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom... to make him king, according to the word of the LORD" (1 Chronicles 11:10).
Side-by-Side Differences
| 2 Samuel 23 | 1 Chronicles 11 | Verses |
|---|---|---|
| Josheb-basshebeth, Adino the Eznite; spear against 800 | Jashobeam, an Hachmonite; spear against 300 | 23:8 / 11:11 |
| Eleazar's stand; Shammah at the field of lentiles | Eleazar with David at Pas-dammim, a parcel of ground full of barley | 23:9–12 / 11:12–14 |
| Shammah the Harodite | Shammoth the Harorite | 23:25 / 11:27 |
| Elika the Harodite | (not listed) | 23:25 |
| Helez the Paltite | Helez the Pelonite | 23:26 / 11:27 |
| Mebunnai the Hushathite | Sibbecai the Hushathite | 23:27 / 11:29 |
| Zalmon the Ahohite | Ilai the Ahohite | 23:28 / 11:29 |
| Heleb the son of Baanah | Heled the son of Baanah | 23:29 / 11:30 |
| Ittai the son of Ribai | Ithai the son of Ribai | 23:29 / 11:31 |
| Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash | Hurai of the brooks of Gaash | 23:30 / 11:32 |
| Abi-albon the Arbathite | Abiel the Arbathite | 23:31 / 11:32 |
| Azmaveth the Barhumite | Azmaveth the Baharumite | 23:31 / 11:33 |
| of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan | The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage | 23:32 / 11:34 |
| Ahiam the son of Sharar | Ahiam the son of Sacar | 23:33 / 11:35 |
| Hezrai the Carmelite | Hezro the Carmelite | 23:35 / 11:37 |
| Paarai the Arbite | Naarai the son of Ezbai | 23:35 / 11:37 |
| Nahari the Beerothite | Naharai the Berothite | 23:37 / 11:39 |
| Ends with Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all | Continues past Uriah to Eliel, Obed and Jasiel the Mesobaite | 23:39 / 11:41–47 |
Some of the Abishai, Benaiah and Bethlehem water details are told almost word for word in both books (compare 2 Samuel 23:13–23 with 1 Chronicles 11:15–25). Chronicles adds the Egyptian's height, "five cubits high" (1 Chronicles 11:23).
Read Them Both
See every name in order on David's mighty men list, and read the Three and the Thirty.
41 bold coloring pages of King David's warriors, straight from 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Ages 5–99+. Paperback, $9.99. See inside the book.
Get the Coloring BookQuestions About David's Mighty Men
What is the difference between 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11?
Both list David's mighty men. 1 Chronicles 11 spells several names differently, gives Jashobeam's count as 300 rather than 800, places Eleazar at a field of barley at Pas-dammim, and continues the roll past Uriah with sixteen more names (1 Chronicles 11:41–47).
What is 2 Samuel 23 about?
Verses 1–7 are the last words of David; verses 8–39 list the names and deeds of David's mighty men, ending 'thirty and seven in all.'
What is 1 Chronicles 11 about?
David becomes king over all Israel at Hebron and takes Jerusalem (verses 1–9), then the chief of his mighty men are listed (verses 10–47).
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