4
Is like first light at daybreak without a cloud in the sky, Like green grass carpeting earth, glistening under fresh rain.
5
And this is just how my regime has been, for God guaranteed his covenant with me, Spelled it out plainly and kept every promised word - My entire salvation, my every desire.
6
But the devil's henchmen are like thorns culled and piled as trash;
7
Better not try to touch them; keep your distance with a rake or hoe. They'll make a glorious bonfire!
8
This is the listing of David's top men. Josheb-Basshebeth, the Tahkemonite. He was chief of the Three. He once put his spear to work against eight hundred - killed them all in a day.
9
Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite was the next of the elite Three. He was with David when the Philistines poked fun at them at Pas Dammim. When the Philistines drew up for battle, Israel retreated.
10
But Eleazar stood his ground and killed Philistines right and left until he was exhausted - but he never let go of his sword! A big win for God that day. The army then rejoined Eleazar, but all there was left to do was the clean-up.
11
Shammah son of Agee the Hararite was the third of the Three. The Philistines had mustered for battle at Lehi, where there was a field full of lentils. Israel fled before the Philistines
12
, but Shammah took his stand at the center of the field, successfully defended it, and routed the Philistines. Another great victory for God!
13
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.
14
While David was holed up in the Cave, the Philistines had their base camp in Bethlehem