He has trained and fought with a
mighty band of
warriors (geborim), some of whom on occasion have saved his life (21:15 - 17) or tilted with Philistine giants (21:18 - 21); and
once, in a moving episode of mutual loyalty and admiration between men and leader, three of their number risked seemingly probable death to answer David's longing for the cool water of Bethlehem's well (23:13 - 17).