Heroes of David
The heroes of David are a group of men who are named in the Bible both in the 2nd book of Samuel ( 2 Sam 23.8-39 EU ) and in the 1st book of the Chronicles ( 1 Chr 11.10-47 EU ) and whose deeds are particularly praised.
The heroes of David are divided into two groups of which three men are highlighted and their deeds are described. In addition to this group of three, there is another group called "The Thirty". The thirty were probably an elite group, the exact number of which was not precisely established. The formation of this group should go back to David's early days when he had to hide from King Saul . The thirty come from different tribes of Israel as well as from Canaan and neighboring countries.
The three heroes
The second book of Samuel reports first of the "three", which are particularly emphasized. First, there are short descriptions of the individual acts of the three heroes ( 2 Sam 23.8-12 EU ):
- Jishbaal, the first of the three to defeat eight hundred,
- Eleazar, who withstood the fight against the Philistines when the men of Israel had already withdrawn and
- Shamma who opposed the Philistines in another battle, although the people had already fled.
This is followed by a short story of all three. David asked the three of them who would bring him water from the well at the gate in Bethlehem, where the Philistines were camped. The three of them set out together, scooped up water in Bethlehem and brought it to David. But he refused to drink this water because for him it was like the blood of men who had dared their lives. Therefore he offered it as an offering for the LORD ( 2 Sam 23 : 13-17 EU ).
The thirty heroes
At the beginning of the list of people who are called "thirty heroes", 2 Samuel first names two people from this group whose deeds are described separately, even if it is emphasized that they do not belong to the three great heroes came up ( 2 Sam 23.18-23 EU ):
Then the other heroes of David are named ( 2 Sam 23,24-39 EU ):
- Asael , Joab's brother
- Elhanan from Bethlehem , the son of Dodo
- Shamma from Harod
- Elika from Harod
- Helez from Pelet
- Ira from Tekoa , the son of Ikkesch
- Abiëser from Anatot
- Sibbechai from Husha
- Zalmon the Ahoachite
- Mahrai from Netofa
- Heled from Netofa, the son of Baana
- Ittai from Gibeah , the son of Ribai
- Benaja from Piraton
- Hiddai from Nahale Gaasch
- Abialbon from Bet-Araba
- Asmawet from Bahurim
- Eljachba from shaalbon
- the sons of Jaschen
- Jonathan, son of Shamma from Harar
- Ahiam of Harar, son of Sharar
- Elifelet from Maacha, the son of Ahasbai
- Eliam from Gilo , son of Ahithophel
- Hezro from Carmel
- Paarai from Arab
- Jigal from Zoba, the son of Natan
- Mibhar from Gad
- Zelek the Ammonite
- Nachrai from Beerot, Joab's armorer
- Ira from Jattir
- Gareb from Jattir
- Uriah the Hittite .
In summary, it is stated that a total of 37 people were named. The number 37 results if you include Joab , who is not included in the list.
The heroes of David in Book 1 of the Chronicles
The heroes of David are also mentioned in Book 1 of the Chronicles . The stories of the Three Heroes and the first two of the Thirty Heroes are also reported there. This is followed by the list that is already known from Book 2 of Samuel. 1. Chronicle does hand down the names of a somewhat expanded circle of David's heroes (although Elika and Eliam are not mentioned here). This list also includes the following people:
- Hefer from Mechera
- Ahijah from Gilo
- Sabad the son of Achlai
- Adina, the son of Schisa
- Hanan, the son of Maacha
- Joschafat from Meten
- Uziya from Ashtarot
- Schama, a son of Hotam
- Jëiël, a son of Hotam
- Jediaël the son of Shimri
- Joha (his brother)
- Eliël from Mahanajim
- Jeribai, a son of Elnaam
- Joschaviah, a son of Elnaam
- Jitma the Moabite
- Eliël from Zoba
- Obed from Zoba
- Jaasiël from Zoba
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Stuttgart Explanatory Bible. 2nd Edition. German Bible Society , Stuttgart 1992, ISBN 3-438-01121-2 , p. 421f.