David's threefold title as "bone and flesh," "shepherd," and "prince" uniquely combines familial intimacy with royal authority, appearing nowhere else in Chronicles' royal terminology.
1 Chronicles 11
David Becomes King and Captures Jerusalem
1Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
2In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. The LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’”
3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD. They anointed David king over Israel, according to the LORD’s word by Samuel.
4David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.
5The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s city.
6David had said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.
7David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it David’s city.
8He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9David grew greater and greater, for the LORD of Armies was with him.
David's Mighty Warriors
10Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the LORD’s word concerning Israel.
11This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.
12After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.
13He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
14They stood in the middle of the plot, defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great victory.
15Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
16David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem at that time.
17David longed, and said, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
18The three broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, took it, and brought it to David; but David would not drink any of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
19and said, “My God forbid me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?” For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.
20Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.
21Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain; however he wasn’t included in the three.
22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.
23He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high. In the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.
24Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things and had a name among the three mighty men.
25Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three; and David set him over his guard.
26The mighty men of the armies also include Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,
29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite,
35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,
39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah),
40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
42Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite (a chief of the Reubenites), and thirty with him,
43Hanan the son of Maacah, Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
45Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
47Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
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Theme
David is officially crowned king over all Israel at Hebron, fulfilling God's promise through Samuel, and immediately establishes his reign by conquering Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The chapter then catalogs David's mighty warriors, highlighting their extraordinary feats of courage and loyalty, including the famous account of three warriors who risked their lives to bring David water from Bethlehem's well. These narratives demonstrate how God blessed David's kingship through both divine favor and the devoted service of exceptional men who shared his vision for Israel.
Context
This chapter follows David's mourning for Saul and Jonathan, marking the transition from his time as a fugitive to his establishment as Israel's legitimate king.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 David Anointed King Over All Israel All Israel recognizes David as their rightful king and makes a covenant with him at Hebron.
- 4-9 Conquest of Jerusalem David captures the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem, establishing it as his capital city.
- 10-14 The Three Greatest Warriors Introduction to David's mighty men, featuring Jashobeam and Eleazar's heroic battlefield exploits.
- 15-19 The Water from Bethlehem Three warriors risk their lives to bring David water, which he pours out as an offering to God.
- 20-47 Catalog of David's Mighty Men Extended list of David's elite warriors and their notable achievements in battle.
David Becomes King and Captures Jerusalem
11:1–11:9 narrative narration triumphant
David is anointed king over all Israel at Hebron and subsequently captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites, establishing it as his capital city. The passage emphasizes God's blessing on David's reign and the fulfillment of divine promises through Samuel.
person_contrast
David's threefold title as "bone and flesh," "shepherd," and "prince" uniquely combines familial intimacy with royal authority, appearing nowhere else in Chronicles' royal terminology.
David's Mighty Warriors
11:10–11:47 narrative narration triumphant
Chronicles the heroic deeds of David's mighty warriors, including their battlefield victories and acts of devotion. Highlights their extraordinary courage and loyalty to David as God's anointed king.
person_contrast
David's warriors risk their lives fetching water from Bethlehem's well, yet he pours it out as an offering, transforming military loyalty into sacred worship.
Insights
David's warriors risk their lives fetching water from Bethlehem's well, yet he pours it out as an offering, transforming military loyalty into sacred worship.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Chronicles 11:1 2 references
1 Chronicles 11:2 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:3 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:4 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:5 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:6 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:8 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:11 2 references
1 Chronicles 11:12 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:13 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:14 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:15 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Samuel 23:13 Lexical
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…
1 Samuel 22:1 Lexical
David therefore departed from there and escaped to Adullam’s cave. When his brothers and all his father’s house heard it…
2 Samuel 5:18 Lexical
Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
1 Chronicles 14:9 Lexical
Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.
2 Samuel 5:22 Lexical
The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
1 Chronicles 11:16 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:17 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:18 2 references
1 Chronicles 11:19 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Samuel 23:17 Lexical
He said, “Be it far from me, LORD, that I should do this! Isn’t this the blood of the men who risked their lives to go?”…
2 Samuel 23:16 Lexical
The three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by…
Ezekiel 39:18 Lexical
You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats,…
1 Chronicles 11:20 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Samuel 23:18 Lexical
Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred a…
1 Chronicles 2:16 Lexical
and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.
2 Samuel 2:18 Lexical
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.
1 Chronicles 11:22 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Samuel 23:20 Lexical
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Arie…
1 Kings 1:38 Lexical
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down a…
Ezekiel 32:25 Lexical
They have made Elam a bed among the slain with all her multitude. Her graves are around her, all of them uncircumcised,…
Ezekiel 31:14 Lexical
to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, and don’t set their top among the…
1 Chronicles 11:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Samuel 23:21 Lexical
He killed a huge Egyptian, and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff and plucked th…
1 Samuel 17:7 Lexical
The staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. His shield be…
2 Samuel 21:19 Lexical
There was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the…
1 Chronicles 20:5 Lexical
Again there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, t…
Ezekiel 40:33 Lexical
with its lodges, its posts, and its arches, according to these measurements. There were windows in it and in its arches…
1 Chronicles 11:24 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Samuel 23:22 Lexical
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.
1 Kings 1:26 Lexical
But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.
1 Kings 1:8 Lexical
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to D…
1 Chronicles 11:25 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:26 2 references
1 Chronicles 11:27 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:28 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Samuel 23:26 Lexical
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
1 Chronicles 27:9 Lexical
The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
2 Samuel 23:27 Lexical
Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
1 Chronicles 27:12 Lexical
The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites. In his division were twenty-four t…
1 Chronicles 11:29 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Chronicles 20:4 Lexical
After this, war arose at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the gian…
1 Chronicles 27:11 Lexical
The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four…
2 Samuel 21:18 Lexical
After this, there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the so…
1 Chronicles 11:30 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Chronicles 27:13 Lexical
The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four t…
2 Samuel 23:28 Lexical
Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
2 Samuel 23:29 Lexical
Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
1 Chronicles 11:31 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Samuel 23:29 Lexical
Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
1 Chronicles 27:14 Lexical
The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim. In his division wer…
2 Samuel 23:30 Lexical
Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.
1 Chronicles 11:33 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:35 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:39 1 reference
1 Chronicles 11:40 1 reference
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