Below the Three and the second three stood the Thirty: a roll of honor of David's valiant men, listed by name and hometown in 2 Samuel 23:24–39 and 1 Chronicles 11:26–47.
From the PsalmsFor by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.— Psalm 18:29 (KJV)
Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,— 2 Samuel 23:24 (KJV)
Who Were the 30 Mighty Men?
The list opens with Asahel, brother of Joab, and closes with Uriah the Hittite. In between are men like Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, and Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab. See the full list of all 37 names.
More Than Thirty Names?
Scripture calls this company "the thirty," yet the names under that heading run past thirty, and the passage ends "thirty and seven in all" (2 Samuel 23:39). 1 Chronicles 11 continues past Uriah with more names, including Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, "a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him" (1 Chronicles 11:42). Scripture does not explain the numbering, so we let the text speak as written.
Captains of the Thirty
Three of the thirty chief went down to David at the cave of Adullam in harvest time (2 Samuel 23:13). Abishai was their captain (2 Samuel 23:19), and Benaiah "was more honourable than the thirty" (2 Samuel 23:23).
Men from Many Places
Bethlehem, Tekoa, Anathoth, Netophah, Gibeah of Benjamin, Carmel: and also Ammon, Zobah and the Hittites. Men from many places stood under one king. They were tested in battle and loyal to the man God had chosen.
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
Who were the 30 mighty men of David?
They were the company of valiant men listed in 2 Samuel 23:24–39, beginning with Asahel the brother of Joab and ending with Uriah the Hittite. 1 Chronicles 11:26–47 gives a parallel, longer roll.
Who was the captain of the thirty?
Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief among three and their captain (2 Samuel 23:18–19). 1 Chronicles 12:18 also mentions Amasai as chief of the captains among men who came to David.
Was Uriah one of the thirty mighty men?
Yes. Uriah the Hittite is the final name in 2 Samuel 23:39 and appears in 1 Chronicles 11:41.
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