Read 1 Chronicles 11
David Becomes King Over Israel
11 All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.
David Conquers Jerusalem
4 David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites who lived there 5 said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.
6 David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.
7 David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. 8 He built up the city around it, from the terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. 9 And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him.
David’s Mighty Warriors
10 These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised— 11 this is the list of David’s mighty warriors:
Jashobeam, a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
12 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors. 13 He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. 14 But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
15 Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19 “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.
Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.
20 Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 21 He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.
22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 23 And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. 25 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
26 The mighty warriors were: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, 29 Sibbekai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,32 Hurai from the ravines of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,35 Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur,36 Hepher the Mekerathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai,38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri,39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai,42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who was chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him,43 Hanan son of Maakah, Joshaphat the Mithnite,44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,45 Jediael son of Shimri, his brother Joha the Tizite,46 Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite,47 Eliel, Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
Go Deeper
In this chapter we see David, the King of Judea, finally recognized as also the rightful King of Israel, unifying the divided kingdoms under one king. With how the events unfold, we also find two different groups of people that are remembered for starkly contrasting character qualities. To give some background to this chapter, in 1 Samuel 16:13, as a teenager, David was anointed to be the next king after King Saul. When Saul died, Judah anointed David as king at the age of 30 (2 Samuel 2:4), but it wasn’t until many years later that Israel admitted that David should be the rightful king and anointed him to the throne over Israel as well.
Israel had known for decades that David was to be the next king. The problem, however, was that their pride and selfish ambition led them to ignore God’s will. This wasn’t just a passive resistance to God’s plan for David to be king. Starting in 2 Samuel 2, following Saul’s death, we find Israel placing someone else as king and waging battles against David. Like so many other people in the Bible, Israel openly opposed God’s will and suffered greatly for it. Sadly, this correlates to how we can often find ourselves living in rebellion to God’s will in the form of sin. We knowingly let it persist in our life causing casualties along the way until it reaches a breaking point. At that point, we are faced with a choice: to either continue in habitual sin or to repent and turn away from our sin. In this passage, Israel personified a rebellious attitude.
However, there is an alternative path to rebellion. The path of devotion. In this passage are the stories of David’s mighty men. The feats they accomplish are amazing! What’s even more praise worthy is their unwavering devotion to David that is put on display in one of the stories. Starting in v. 17, we find the three mighty men that risked their lives to bring him some water. Being in his stronghold, we know that David wasn’t starving of thirst! So, why did they do this then? These three men were eager to serve their king! Their devotion was so all-encompassing that they placed their lives on the line for what appeared to be (from the outside perspective) a trivial request–all because David asked. David recognized this level of devotion should only be given to God and poured out the drink. This is how our pursuit of our Lord’s will should look! How will you be remembered?
Questions
- Where do you find yourself rebelling from God’s will?
- Are their parts of what we are called to do as Christians or the Christian walk that you purposefully avoid focusing on or thinking about?
- What next steps do you want to take to pursue God’s will further in your life?
Pray This
Lord,
Please place in my heart a desire for the things you desire. Help me to see where I am straying and have the humility to confess and turn to You. Please help strengthen my devotion to You!
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8 responses to “1 Chronicles 11”
“And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him” (v9).
From his humble calling as he was herding his father’s sheep, to his kingship over Israel, David demonstrated faithfulness to God in big and small ways. He knew wherein his greatness lied, God had set his favor on him. Even in his missteps, he acknowledged and repented and found forgiveness. May we have a greater desire for holiness over the pull to sin.
11 All Israel came together to David at Hebron
Now David can get down to business. Unity is the answer to what is next. The Messianic Promise refers to God’s promise to send a king who will save God’s people and establish an eternal kingdom. The Messianic Promise proclaims the Messiah will be a king from David’s line. He will be a blessing to all the nations and rule with justice and peace over the eternal kingdom. This was God’s plan from the beginning. We are a part of that promise because of Jesus Christ.
Unification
Jerusalem
Mighty men
“The Messianic Promise matters. The Chronicler’s focus on David points to something greater—the promise of a perfect King who would establish an eternal kingdom. Jesus, the “key of David,” fulfills this promise and opens doors that no one can shut.” BBC
God is in the details. He has been and still is about people chasing Him to become men or women after His own heart. Sometimes there is a waiting time frame. Which is difficult to do for me. BUT GOD and His plan will be accomplished no matter if we are a part of it becuase we are patient or if we are not part because of impatientness.
God thank You for seeing how You weave Your plan together. God thank you for my patience to do Your will and not try to control something beyond my control. God I come to You today in these minutes with gratitude and rejoicing. I see Your hand in my life, in my familys lives and community. God I just come before Your throne to ask for continued guidance for my part to further Your kingdom, for my marriage, for my children and grands, and for my community of women and men that I fellowship with that love You. God thank You for blessing all that I put my heart and hands to as I seek to glorify You with these Bible studies that can help direct me and others to having a more faithful walk with You. God my Your words come out of my mouth, may my actions and deeds glorify and honor You today in these minutes of this day in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
in yesterday’s rest day there was a Bible Project article about Chronicles that was very interesting. It is well worth going back to read it.
19 “Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.”
Amazing to read about these “three mighty men”! Their bravery, strength, and devotion is so admirable. God, guide me towards being a “mighty man” in the life to which you have called me!
We’re in 1 Chronicles 11 today, and once again, I’m amazed by all it has to teach me.
This chapter lists David’s mighty men — those fierce, loyal warriors who stood beside him in every battle. It describes his three, his thirty, and then the larger group of soldiers who fought for his kingdom.
This description reminded me of Jesus and His own circles — HIS three, his twelve, and a broader circle of followers beyond that.
Turning to online Bible commentary, I found this powerful message from 2BeLikeChrist. Author Luke Taylor speaks of the strength and importance of brotherhood — how having brave and honorable companions around you will always call you to a higher level of courage and virtue.
This is where the story goes from Biblical to personal. Because I’ve seen this same truth lived out right in front of me.
A Modern Glimpse of Mighty Men
Lately I’ve been privileged to watch my son and his best friend, brothers in every sense but blood, celebrate BOTH of their weddings.
Together.
Just as they’ve been doing everything in life all along.
These two “kids” have grown up side by side — all the way from elementary school to grad school, through every season that shapes boys into men. They’ve shared hours of family dinners, dorm room talks and fraternity confidences. They studied their way through ABC’s… to honors classes… to accomplished engineers. Two little boys with boundless energy who loved to try and do… moved from weight room workouts and water polo matches… to whirling their brides around reception room floors.
The two of them have literally “grown in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” — before my very eyes.
And that’s when it all came together — the story, the commentary, and what God has allowed me to witness firsthand:
“There is probably a lesson here about the strength and importance of brotherhood, both physical and spiritual. Having brave and honorable companions around you will encourage you to bravery and virtue. No doubt, these men inspired one another to accomplish great things.
This type of comradery is desperately needed in the Church. If we’re going to win battles on the spiritual battlefield, we need brothers who fight alongside us, inspire us, and continually challenge us to rise to a higher level.”
— Luke Taylor, 2BeLikeChrist
Proverbs 18:24 says, “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (How thankful I am that my son and his friend have always “stuck” so close!) And if this kind of faithful friendship mattered to a mighty man like David — and to Jesus, the mightiest of all — it’s surely something we still need today.
Companions who inspire us to be brave and virtuous and accomplish great things.
Together.
this is an amazing way to see this chapter and so grateful that your son has had this in his life.
love you sister, thankful for you,
Right back at you, my sister. Love you too!
vs.2 “The LORD your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them'”
Recognizing God’ s sovereignty in our lives helps us trust His plans, even when they differ from our own.