Above every other warrior in David's army stood three men. Scripture calls them "the three mighty men" and "the first three," and no one else attained to them (2 Samuel 23:19, 23).
1. Josheb-basshebeth, Adino the Eznite
The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.— 2 Samuel 23:8 (KJV)
The KJV gives his title as "the Tachmonite that sat in the seat" (Hebrew Josheb-basshebeth). 1 Chronicles 11:11 names him Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, who lifted up his spear against three hundred. 1 Chronicles 27:2 shows Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel over the first course of the army, twenty and four thousand men. Full story of Josheb-basshebeth.
From the PsalmsThough an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.— Psalm 27:3 (KJV)
2. Eleazar the Son of Dodo
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.— 2 Samuel 23:10 (KJV)
The men of Israel had gone away. Eleazar stood with David when they defied the Philistines (2 Samuel 23:9), and 1 Chronicles 11:13 places him with David at Pas-dammim. Full story of Eleazar.
3. Shammah the Son of Agee
But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.— 2 Samuel 23:12 (KJV)
The Philistines gathered at a piece of ground full of lentiles, and the people fled (2 Samuel 23:11). Shammah did not. Full story of Shammah.
Story: Three Mighty Men and the Water from Bethlehem
2 Samuel 23:13–17 tells of "three of the thirty chief" who broke through the host of the Philistines to bring David water from the well of Bethlehem, ending: "These things did these three mighty men." Scripture calls them "three of the thirty chief" and does not give their names. Read the account.
The Second Three: Abishai and Benaiah
Abishai was "chief among three" and their captain, "howbeit he attained not unto the first three" (2 Samuel 23:18–19). Benaiah son of Jehoiada "had the name among three mighty men" but likewise "attained not to the first three" (2 Samuel 23:22–23).
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 David's three mighty men?
The Three were Josheb-basshebeth the Tachmonite (Adino the Eznite), Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, and Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite (2 Samuel 23:8–12).
Who was the chief of the three mighty men?
Josheb-basshebeth, called Adino the Eznite in 2 Samuel 23:8 and Jashobeam in 1 Chronicles 11:11, was chief among the captains.
Who are the three mighty men in 1 Chronicles 11?
1 Chronicles 11:11–14 names Jashobeam and Eleazar the son of Dodo as among the three mighties; Shammah's stand in 2 Samuel 23:11–12 is not repeated by name there.
Did the three mighty men bring David water?
Yes. Three of the thirty chief broke through the host of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate; David poured it out unto the LORD (2 Samuel 23:13–17). Scripture does not name the three.
King David Bible Stories
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Meet the Mighty Men
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