David's Mighty Men

The Bible describes David’s mighty men as named warriors that include a group called the three and another called the thirty. Josheb-basshebeth is listed as head of the officers, and Eleazar is identified among the three (2 Samuel 23:8; 2 Samuel 23:9). The three broke through a Philistine camp to bring water to David, who would not drink it because they had risked their lives (2 Samuel 23:16; 2 Samuel 23:17). Benaiah won a name among the three, while Asahel is named among the thirty (2 Samuel 23:22; 2 Samuel 23:24). The word or idea recurs in at least 11 verses across 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.