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Sunday, July 13th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Bible in Basic English

2 Samuel 23:13

And three of the thirty went down at the start of the grain-cutting, and they came to David at the strong place of Adullam; and the band of Philistines had taken up their position in the valley of Rephaim.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Adullam;   Armies;   Cave;   Eleazar (Eleazer);   Philistines;   Rephaim;   Thompson Chain Reference - Adullam;   Caves;   Rephaim;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Harvest, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Adullam;   Shammah;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Courage;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Drink;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Bethlehem;   David;   Giants;   Jashobeam;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Adullam;   David;   Giants;   Rephaim, Valley of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Abishai;   Adullam;   Mighty Men;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Giant;   Ithrite, the;   Samuel, Books of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Adullam ;   Army;   Rephaim, Valley of;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Rephaim;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Adul'lam;   Reph'a-Im, the Valley of,;   Sham'mah;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Bethlehem;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Adullam;   David;   Harvest;   Rephaim, Vale of;   Shammah;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Adullam;   Beth-Lehem-Judah;   Caves in Palestine;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Three of the thirty leading warriors went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was camping in the Valley of Rephaim.
Hebrew Names Version
Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of `Adullam; and the troop of the Pelishtim was encamped in the valley of Refa'im.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
Then three of the thirty leaders went down and came to David at the time of the harvest to the cave of Adullam, while a group of the Philistines were camping in the valley of the Rephaim.
English Standard Version
And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, when a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
New Century Version
Once, three of the Thirty, David's chief soldiers, came down to him at the cave of Adullam during harvest. The Philistine army had camped in the Valley of Rephaim.
New English Translation
At the time of the harvest three of the thirty leaders went down to David at the cave of Adullam. A band of Philistines was camped in the valley of Rephaim.
Amplified Bible
Then three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David at harvest time in the cave of Adullam, while an army of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
New American Standard Bible
Then three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David at harvest time to the cave of Adullam, while the army of the Philistines was camping in the Valley of Rephaim.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Afterward three of the thirtie captaines went downe, and came to Dauid in the haruest time vnto the caue of Adullam, and the hoste of the Philistims pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam, while the troop of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim.
Contemporary English Version
One year at harvest time, the Three Warriors went to meet David at Adullam Cave. The Philistine army had set up camp in Rephaim Valley
Complete Jewish Bible
During harvest season three of the thirty leaders went down and came to David at the cave of ‘Adulam when a company of P'lishtim had set up camp in the Refa'im Valley.
Darby Translation
And three of the thirty chiefs went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam, when the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
Easy-to-Read Version
Once during harvest time David was at the cave of Adullam, and three of the Thirty Heroes went down to meet him there. At the same time the Philistine army was camped in the Valley of Rephaim.
George Lamsa Translation
And three of the valiant men went down and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Arlam; and the Philistines cattle were grazing in the Plain of Giants.
Good News Translation
Near the beginning of harvest time three of "The Thirty" went down to Adullam Cave, where David was, while a band of Philistines was camping in Rephaim Valley.
Literal Translation
And three of the thirty commanders went down and came to the harvest, to David, to the cave of Adullam. And the company of the Philistines was camping in the Valley of the Giants.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And these thre pryncipall amonge thirtie, came downe in the haruest vnto Dauid, into the caue of Adullam, & the hoost of ye Philistynes laye in ye valley of Rephaim.
American Standard Version
And three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
These three (which were of the thirtie chiefe captaines) went downe to Dauid in the haruest tyme vnto the caue Adullam: and the hoast of the Philistines pytched in the valley of giauntes.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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 were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
King James Version (1611)
And three of the thirtie chiefe went downe and came to Dauid in the haruest time, vnto the caue of Adullam: and the troupe of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And three out of the thirty went down, and came to Cason to David, to the cave of Odollam; and there was an army of the Philistines, and they encamped in the valley of Raphain.
English Revised Version
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 were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
Berean Standard Bible
At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Also and thre men yeden doun bifore, that weren princes among thretti, and camen to Dauid in the tyme of reep in to the denne of Odollam. Forsothe the castels of Filisteis weren set in the valei of giauntis.
Young's Literal Translation
And three of the thirty heads go down and come unto the harvest, unto David, unto the cave of Adullam, and the company of the Philistines are encamping in the valley of Rephaim,
Update Bible Version
And three of the elite troops went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
Webster's Bible Translation
And three of the thirty chiefs went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
World English Bible
Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
New King James Version
Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
New Living Translation
Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David's fighting men) went down to meet him there.
New Life Bible
Then three of the thirty leaders went down to David during the gathering time to the cave of Adullam. The Philistine army was staying in the valley of Rephaim.
New Revised Standard
Towards the beginning of harvest three of the thirty chiefs went down to join David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And three of the thirty chiefs descended, and came in, towards harvest, unto David, unto the cave of Adullam, - although, a troop of Philistines, were encamped in the vale of Rephaim;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Moreover also before this the three who were princes among the thirty, went down and came to David in the harvest time into the cave of Odollam: and the camp of the Philistines was in the valley of the giants.
Revised Standard Version
And three of the thirty chief men went down, and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, when a band of Philistines was encamped in the valley of Reph'aim.
THE MESSAGE
One day during harvest, the Three parted from the Thirty and joined David at the Cave of Adullam. A squad of Philistines had set up camp in the Valley of Rephaim. While David was holed up in the Cave, the Philistines had their base camp in Bethlehem. David had a sudden craving and said, "Would I ever like a drink of water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem!" So the Three penetrated the Philistine lines, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But David wouldn't drink it; he poured it out as an offering to God , saying, "There is no way, God , that I'll drink this! This isn't mere water, it's their life-blood—they risked their very lives to bring it!" So David refused to drink it. This is the sort of thing that the Three did.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam, while the troop of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim.

Contextual Overview

8 These are the names of David's men of war: Ishbaal the Hachmonite, chief of the three; his axe was lifted up against eight hundred put to death at one time. 9 After him was Eleazar, the son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three great fighters, who was with David in Pas-dammim when the Philistines came together there for the fight; and when the men of Israel had gone in flight, 10 He was with David and went on fighting the Philistines till his hand became tired and stiff from gripping his sword: and that day the Lord gave a great salvation, and the people came back after him only to take the goods of the Philistines. 11 After him was Shammah, the son of Ela the Hararite. And the Philistines came together in Lehi, where there was a bit of land full of seed; and the people went in flight from the Philistines. 12 But he kept his place in the middle of the bit of land, and kept back their attack and overcame the Philistines: and the Lord gave a great salvation. 13 And three of the thirty went down at the start of the grain-cutting, and they came to David at the strong place of Adullam; and the band of Philistines had taken up their position in the valley of Rephaim. 14 And at that time David had taken cover in the strong place, and an armed force of the Philistines was in Beth-lehem. 15 And David, moved by a strong desire, said, If only someone would give me a drink of water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem, by the doorway into the town! 16 And the three men, forcing their way through the Philistine army, got water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem, by the doorway into the town, and took it back to David: but he would not take it, but, draining it out, made an offering of it to the Lord. 17 And he said, Far be it from me, O Lord, to do this; how may I take as my drink the life-blood of men who have put their lives in danger? So he would not take it. These things did the three great men of war.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

three: etc. or, the three captains over the thirty, 1 Chronicles 11:15-19, Shalishim, "captains," should most probably be read, instead of shaloshim̀ thirty shalishim, as it is in 2 Samuel 23:8, and Exodus 14:7; where LXX render פסיףפבפבע, which Jerome (on Ezekiel 33:1-33) says "among the Greeks is the name of the second rank after the royal dignity."

the cave: Joshua 12:15, Joshua 15:35, 1 Samuel 22:1, Micah 1:15

the valley: 2 Samuel 5:18, 2 Samuel 5:22, 1 Chronicles 11:15, 1 Chronicles 14:9, Isaiah 17:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:5 - Rephaims Genesis 38:1 - Adullamite 1 Samuel 22:4 - in the hold 2 Samuel 23:19 - he attained 2 Chronicles 11:7 - Adullam

Cross-References

Genesis 23:5
And in answer the children of Heth said to Abraham,
Genesis 23:8
And he said to them, If you will let me put my dead to rest here, make a request for me to Ephron, the son of Zohar,
2 Samuel 24:24
And the king said to Araunah, No, but I will give you a price for it; I will not give to the Lord my God burned offerings for which I have given nothing. So David got the grain-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
Acts 20:35
In all things I was an example to you of how, in your lives, you are to give help to the feeble, and keep in memory the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, There is a greater blessing in giving than in getting.
Romans 13:8
Be in debt for nothing, but to have love for one another: for he who has love for his neighbour has kept all the law.
Colossians 4:5
Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.
Hebrews 13:5
Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And three of the thirty chiefs went down,.... Or three that were chief of the thirty, superior to them; which some understand of the three before mentioned, so Josephus w; and that having related some particular exploits of theirs, here observes one, in which they were all concerned; and others think the three next are meant, of whom Abishai was the chief, Benaiah the next, and the third Asahel; but the first sense is best:

and came to David in the harvest time, unto the cave of Adullam; not when he was there, upon his flight from Saul, 1 Samuel 22:1; but after he was king, when engaged in war with the Philistines; perhaps wheat harvest is here meant:

and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim; the army of the Philistines, as the Targum; of the valley of Rephaim,

1 Samuel 22:1- :.

w Antiqu. l. 7. c. 12. sect. 4.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The feat at Bethlehem by three of the thirty was the occasion of their being formed into a distinct triad; Abishai 2 Samuel 23:18, Benaiah 2 Samuel 23:20, and a third not named, were probably the three.

In the harvest time - An error for “to the rock” (compare the marginal reference).

The troop of the Philistines - The word rendered “troop” occurs in this sense only here (and, according to some, in 2 Samuel 23:11), and perhaps in Psalms 68:11. In 1 Chronicles 11:0, as in 2 Samuel 23:16 the reading is “host” or “camp,” which may be the true reading here.

Pitched - The same Hebrew word as “encamped” in 1 Chronicles 11:15.

Valley of Rephaim - Or Giants. See 2 Samuel 21:16 note.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 23:13. And three of the thirty — The word שלשים shalishim, which we translate thirty, probably signifies an office or particular description of men. Of these shalishim we have here thirty-seven, and it can scarcely be said with propriety that we have thirty-seven out of thirty; and besides, in the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 11:11-47, there are sixteen added. The captains over Pharaoh's chariots are termed שלשים shalishim, Exodus 14:7.

The Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. — This is the same war which is spoken of 2 Samuel 5:17, &c.


 
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