Sa mu el 388 list of the “three” and the roster of “thirty” are just a citation record purported to honor those who contributed themselves in combat or other courageous deeds . Unlike our approach, these scholars maintain that the above heroes do not serve as a unit, which functions as such in the king’s service . Benjamin Mazar ( 1974 : 183 – 190 ) ascribed to the heroes of David a special function as a unit . The unit of the thirty was established as early as David the fugitive establishing his battalion while wander - ing in the southern area of Saul’s kingdom . Yet the unit’s command underwent personal changes later, and the platoon’s chief commanders were replaced several times, which explains the existence of at least five warriors who carried the title “a head of the thirty ” . This unit of thirty has influence on David’s army in its earlier stages, but later the unit lost some of its influence, even though the unit is mentioned in important events later . Yigael Yadin ( 1963 : ...
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