2 Samuel 23:8-10

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The Three Heroes

⁸These are the names of David’s special soldiers:

Josheb Basshebeth the Tahkemonite^[a] was captain of the king’s special forces.^[b] He used his spear to kill 800 men at one time.^[c]

⁹Next, there was Eleazar son of Dodai^[d] who was there with David when he challenged the Philistines who had gathered for battle. The Israelites ran away, ¹⁰but Eleazar stood and fought the Philistines until his hand became so tired that it cramped around his sword handle. The Lord won a great victory that day. The people of Israel came back, but only to take things from the dead.

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Footnotes

2 Samuel 23:8 Josheb Basshebeth the Tahkemonite Or “Jashobeam the Hacmonite.” See 1 Chron. 11:11.
2 Samuel 23:8 king’s special forces A special group of soldiers who formed three-man squads and went on special missions for the king.
2 Samuel 23:8 Josheb Basshebeth … time The Hebrew text here is unclear. The translation follows 1 Chron. 11:11 and the ancient Greek version.
2 Samuel 23:9 Eleazar son of Dodai Or “Eleazar his cousin.”