1 Chronicles 11

1 Chronicles 11 recounts David's rise to kingship over all Israel and the valor of his mighty men. It begins with Israel affirming David's leadership and continues by describing the conquest of Jerusalem and the significant figures who supported David's reign, emphasizing their courage and military achievements.

1 Chronicles 11:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron, saying, "Indeed we are your bone and your flesh.
2 Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel.’”
3 Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.
4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
5 But the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You shall not come in here!" Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).

These verses describe how David, already recognized as Israel’s true leader during Saul’s reign, is officially anointed as king by the elders. The people acknowledge David's past leadership, fulfilling God's promise that David would shepherd Israel. David then leads Israel in capturing Jerusalem from the Jebusites, despite their resistance. The capture of Zion establishes it as the political and spiritual center of Israel, showing David's success in fulfilling God's call.

1 Chronicles 11:6 (NKJV)
6 Now David said, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain." And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief.

David incentivizes the attack on the Jebusites by promising the position of chief and captain to the first person to take action. Joab, David’s nephew, rises to the challenge and succeeds, securing the position of military commander. This not only highlights Joab’s bravery but also solidifies his influential role in David’s reign.

1 Chronicles 11:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the City of David.
8 And he built the city around it, from the Millo to the surrounding area. Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9 So David went on and became great, and the Lord of hosts was with him.

After capturing the stronghold, David makes it his residence, renaming it the City of David. He expands and fortifies the city, with Joab assisting in the repairs. David's greatness continues to grow, as his success is attributed to God's presence and favor, which was central to his leadership.

1 Chronicles 11:10-11 (NKJV)
10 Now these were the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.
11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite, chief of the captains; he had lifted up his spear against three hundred, killed by him at one time.

These verses introduce David's mighty men, the elite warriors who played key roles in his military victories and the consolidation of his kingdom. The first mentioned is Jashobeam, an exceptional warrior who killed 300 enemies in one battle. Their strength and loyalty were instrumental in fulfilling God's plan for David's kingship over Israel.

1 Chronicles 11:12-14 (NKJV)
12 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.
13 He was with David at Pasdammim. Now there the Philistines were gathered for battle, and there was a piece of ground full of barley. So the people fled from the Philistines.
14 But they stationed themselves in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

Eleazar, one of David’s three mighty men, is recognized for his heroism during a battle with the Philistines. Despite the odds, he and David defended a field of barley, leading to a great victory. This shows not only their courage but also God's hand in their triumphs, as the Lord is credited for the victory.

1 Chronicles 11:15-19 (NKJV)
15 Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam. And the army of the Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
16 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
17 And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"
18 So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.
19 And he said, "Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it." Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

Here, David expresses a deep desire for water from his hometown of Bethlehem, which was under Philistine control. Three of his mighty men demonstrate extraordinary loyalty and bravery by risking their lives to retrieve the water. David, overwhelmed by their devotion, refuses to drink it, offering it to God instead. This act shows David's humility and respect for the lives of his men, as well as his reverence for God.

1 Chronicles 11:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of another three. He had lifted up his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three.
21 Of the three he was more honored than the other two men; therefore he became their captain. However, he did not attain to the first three.

Abishai, Joab's brother, is recognized for his valor in killing 300 enemies with his spear. His exceptional courage earns him leadership over another group of mighty men. While highly honored, his status is distinguished from that of the first three mighty men, showing a hierarchy among David's warriors.

1 Chronicles 11:22-25 (NKJV)
22 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.
23 And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian’s hand there was a spear like a weaver’s beam, and he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.
24 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men.
25 Indeed he was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard.

Benaiah, another of David’s mighty men, is celebrated for his remarkable feats, including killing two powerful Moabites, slaying a lion, and defeating a giant Egyptian warrior. His courage and skill earn him a prominent position among David’s men, and he is later appointed to command David's personal guard, further establishing his influence.

1 Chronicles 11:26-47 (NKJV)
26 Also the mighty warriors were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,
29 Sibbechai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34 The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shageh the Hararite,
35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,
39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armorbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah),
40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite (a chief of the Reubenites), and thirty with him,
43 Hanan the son of Maachah, Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46 Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite,
47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

The closing section of this chapter lists additional mighty men who contributed to David's military strength. Among them are familiar names like Asahel, Joab’s brother, and Uriah the Hittite, whose tragic fate is tied to David's later moral failure. These men, though less individually highlighted, played significant roles in establishing David’s reign through their loyalty and bravery.