INTRODUCTION: Before long David will go the way of all men. He will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest king in the history of the nation of Israel. Before he goes, we must learn two overwhelming reasons for David’s greatness: a charge from the Lord and the mighty men that surrounded him.

1. DAVID’S LAST WORDS (2 Samuel 23:1-7 [1] Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, [2] The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. [3] The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. [4] And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. [5] Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. [6] But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: [7] But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
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1. The Man, David (2 Samuel 23:1Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
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1. The son of Jesse
2. The man who was raised up on high (2 Samuel 7:8-9 [8] Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: [9] And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
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3. The anointed of the God of Jacob
4. The sweet psalmist of Israel
2. The Words of David (2 Samuel 23:2The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
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1. By the Spirit of the LORD
2. God’s word in his tongue
3. The Charge Given to David (2 Samuel 23:3-5 [3] The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. [4] And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. [5] Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
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1. The manner in which to rule (2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
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1. Must be just
2. Must be done in the fear of God
2. The hope offered by the righteous ruler (2 Samuel 23:4And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
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1. As the light of the morning
1. When the sun riseth
2. As a morning without clouds
2. As the tender grass springing out of the earth after rain
3. God’s blessings in spite of David (2 Samuel 23:5Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
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1. David acknowledged his shortcomings.
2. David acknowledged God’s faithfulness.
1. He made an everlasting covenant with David.
1. Ordered in all things
2. Sure
2. He fulfilled all that David could want.
1. His salvation
2. His desire
4. The Enemies of David (2 Samuel 23:6-7 [6] But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: [7] But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
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1. As thorns thrust away (2 Samuel 23:6But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
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2. To be burned with fire (2 Samuel 23:7But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
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2. DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN (2 Samuel 23:8-39 [8] These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: 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. [9] And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: [10] 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. [11] And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. [12] But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory. [13] And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. [14] And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. [15] And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! [16] And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. [17] And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. [18] And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three. [19] Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three. [20] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: [21] And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. [22] These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. [23] He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard. [24] Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, [25] Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, [26] Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, [27] Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, [28] Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, [29] Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, [30] Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, [31] Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, [32] Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, [33] Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, [34] Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, [35] Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, [36] Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, [37] Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah, [38] Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, [39] Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
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1. The First Three (2 Samuel 23:8-17 [8] These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: 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. [9] And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: [10] 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. [11] And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. [12] But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory. [13] And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. [14] And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. [15] And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! [16] And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. [17] And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
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1. Their names (2 Samuel 23:8-12 [8] These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: 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. [9] And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: [10] 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. [11] And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. [12] But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
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1. Adino the Ezrite (2 Samuel 23:8These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: 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.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:10-11 [10] These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. [11] And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
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1. Also called Jashobeam (1 Chronicles 11:11And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
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2. Chief among the captains
3. Slew 800 with his spear at one time
4. On another occasion he slew 300 with his spear (1 Chronicles 11:11And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
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2. Eleazar the son of Dodo (2 Samuel 23:9-10 [9] And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: [10] 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.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:12-14 [12] And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties. [13] He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. [14] And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.
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1. Defied the Philistines when the men of Israel were gone away (2 Samuel 23:9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
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1. The battle took place at Pasdammim (1 Chronicles 11:13He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
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2. They stood their ground in the midst of a parcel of ground where was a field of barley (1 Chronicles 11:13-14 [13] He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. [14] And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.
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3. The rest of the men of Israel fled (1 Chronicles 11:13He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
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2. Smote the Philistines until his hand clave unto his sword (2 Samuel 23:10He 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.
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3. Shammah the son of Agee (2 Samuel 23:11-12 [11] And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. [12] But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
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1. He is not named in the 1 Chronicles account.
2. He stood in the midst of a piece of ground full of lentils and defended it (2 Samuel 23:11-12 [11] And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. [12] But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
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3. God gave a great victory over the Philistines (2 Samuel 23:12But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
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2. Their Bethlehem exploit (2 Samuel 23:13-17 [13] And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. [14] And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. [15] And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! [16] And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. [17] And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19 [15] Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. [16] And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem. [17] And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate! [18] And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD. [19] And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
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1. David and his men were separated from Bethlehem by the army of the Philistines (2 Samuel 23:13-14 [13] And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. [14] And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:15-16 [15] Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. [16] And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.
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2. David wished aloud for water from Bethlehem’s well (2 Samuel 23:15And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:17And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
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3. Three of the mighty men broke through the host of the Philistines and brought water from the well for David (2 Samuel 23:16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:18And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD.
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4. David refused to drink of the water under such circumstances (2 Samuel 23:16-17 [16] And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. [17] And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:18-19 [18] And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD. [19] And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
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2. The Second Three (2 Samuel 23:18-23 [18] And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three. [19] Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three. [20] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: [21] And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. [22] These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. [23] He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
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1. Abishai the brother of Joab (2 Samuel 23:18-19 [18] And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three. [19] Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:20-21 [20] And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three. [21] Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
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1. He slew 300 enemies with his spear (2 Samuel 23:18And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:20And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three.
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2. The chief among the second three, but not as honorable as the first three (2 Samuel 23:19Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:21Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
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2. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (2 Samuel 23:20-23 [20] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: [21] And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. [22] These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. [23] He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:22-25 [22] Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. [23] And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. [24] These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties. [25] Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
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1. He slew two lionlike men of Moab (2 Samuel 23:20And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
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2. He slew a lion in a pit in the time of snow (2 Samuel 23:20And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
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3. He slew an Egyptian with his own spear (2 Samuel 23:21And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:23And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
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1. The Egyptian was a man of great stature, five cubits high.
2. In the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam.
3. He went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
4. He had a name among the mighty and David set him over his guard (2 Samuel 23:22-23 [22] These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. [23] He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:24-25 [24] These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties. [25] Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
   See All...).
3. The Roll Call of the Mighty Men (2 Samuel 23:24-39 [24] Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, [25] Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, [26] Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, [27] Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, [28] Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, [29] Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, [30] Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, [31] Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, [32] Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, [33] Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, [34] Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, [35] Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, [36] Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, [37] Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah, [38] Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, [39] Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:26-47 [26] Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, [27] Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, [28] Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite, [29] Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, [30] Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, [31] Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, [32] Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, [33] Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, [34] The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite, [35] Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, [36] Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, [37] Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, [38] Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri, [39] Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, [40] Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, [41] Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, [42] Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, [43] Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, [44] Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite, [45] Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, [46] Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, [47] Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
   See All...)
1. Asahel the brother of Joab (2 Samuel 23:24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:26Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
   See All...; see 2 Samuel 2:18-23 [18] And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. [19] And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. [20] Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. [21] And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. [22] And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? [23] Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
   See All...)
1. He was one of the thirty. It is likely that several are mentioned in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11 that were replacements for some of these men who died early.
2. It appears that there were multiple divisions within the mighty men.
1. The first three were grouped together.
2. The second three were grouped together.
3. There was a group called “the thirty.”
2. Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem (2 Samuel 23:24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:26Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
   See All...)
3. Shammah the Harodite (2 Samuel 23:25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
   See All...) – also called Shammoth the Harorite
1. It was common for people to have multiple names by which they were called.
2. Moses’ father-in-law is called by the names Jethro, Reuel, and Hobab (Exodus 2:18And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
   See All...; Exodus 3:1Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
   See All...; Numbers 10:29And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
   See All...).
3. Simon Peter is Simon, Peter, and Cephas.
4. Oftentimes, the variations had to do with meanings of names (Acts 4:36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
   See All...).
4. Elika the Harodite (2 Samuel 23:25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
   See All...)
5. Helez the Paltite (2 Samuel 23:26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
   See All...) – also called Helez the Pelonite
6. Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite (2 Samuel 23:26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,
   See All...)
7. Abiezer the Anethothite (2 Samuel 23:27Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,
   See All...)
8. Mebunnai the Hushathite (2 Samuel 23:27Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
   See All...) – also called Sibbecai
9. Zalmon the Ahohite (2 Samuel 23:28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
   See All...) – also called Ilai
10. Maharai the Netophathite (2 Samuel 23:28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
    See All...)
11. Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite (2 Samuel 23:29Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
    See All...) – also called Heled
12. Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin (2 Samuel 23:29Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
    See All...) – also called Ithai
13. Benaiah the Pirathonite (2 Samuel 23:30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
    See All...)
14. Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash (2 Samuel 23:30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
    See All...) – also called Hurai
15. Abialbon the Arbathite (2 Samuel 23:31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
    See All...) – also called Abiel
16. Azmaveth the Barhumite (2 Samuel 23:31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
    See All...)
17. Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen (also called Hashem) (2 Samuel 23:32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:33-34 [33] Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, [34] The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
    See All...)
18. Jonathan the son of Shammah (also called Shage) the Hararite (2 Samuel 23:32-33 [32] Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, [33] Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:34The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
    See All...)
19. Ahiam the son of Sharar (also called Sacar) the Hararite (2 Samuel 23:33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
    See All...)
20. Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai (2 Samuel 23:34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
    See All...) – likely the same person as Eliphel the son of Ur
21. The son of the Maachathite (2 Samuel 23:34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
    See All...) – likely the same person as Hepher the Mecherathite
22. Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite (2 Samuel 23:34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
    See All...) – likely the same as Ahijah the Pelonite
23. Hezrai the Carmelite (2 Samuel 23:35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
    See All...) – likely the same as Hezro
24. Paarai the Arbite (2 Samuel 23:35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
    See All...) – likely the same as Naarai the son of Ezbai
25. Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah (2 Samuel 23:36Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,
    See All...) – likely the same as Joel
1. It is possible to be the son of a Nathan and the brother of a Nathan.
2. Even in our culture, it is common for a son to have his father’s name.
26. Bani the Gadite (2 Samuel 23:36Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,
    See All...) – likely the same as Mibhar
27. Zelek the Ammonite (2 Samuel 23:37Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
    See All...)
28. Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah (2 Samuel 23:37Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
    See All...)
29. Ira an Ithrite (2 Samuel 23:38Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
    See All...)
30. Gareb an Ithrite (2 Samuel 23:38Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
    See All...)
31. Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 23:39Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
    See All...; 1 Chronicles 11:41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
    See All...)
32. Others named in 1 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 11:41-47 [41] Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, [42] Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, [43] Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, [44] Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite, [45] Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, [46] Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, [47] Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
    See All...)

CONCLUSION: David was a great king, but his fame was supported by the words of God and great men. The same holds true for anyone desiring greatness today.