1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.
3 Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in 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 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.
6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
7 And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.
8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9 So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.
10 These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and 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, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
12 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.
13 He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
14 And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.
15 Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
16 And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.
17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD.
19 And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
20 And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three.
21 Of the three, he was more honorable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.
25 Behold, he was honorable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
26 Also the valiant men of the armies 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 Antothite,
29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children 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 Shage 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 Haggeri,
39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer 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 captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
43 Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
The book of 1 Chronicles is a historical account of the Israelites, detailing their lineage and the reign of King David. Chapter 11 focuses specifically on the establishment of David as the king of Israel and the mighty men who joined him in his reign. This chapter is divided into three main sections: the anointing of David as king, the list of David's mighty men, and the conquest of Jerusalem. Through these events, the chapter highlights the themes of divine appointment, loyalty, and the establishment of Jerusalem as the holy city.
The first section of Chapter 11 recounts the anointing of David as king over Israel. This event is significant as it marks the fulfillment of God's promise to David, who was chosen by God to be the next king after Saul. The chapter begins by stating that all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, acknowledging him as their king. This united the nation of Israel under one ruler, fulfilling God's promise of a united kingdom.
The anointing of David as king also symbolizes the divine appointment of leaders. In the previous chapter, God had rejected Saul as king due to his disobedience and chosen David instead. This serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate ruler and it is He who appoints and removes leaders according to His will. This theme is reiterated throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of submitting to God's authority and trusting in His plans.
The second section of Chapter 11 provides a detailed list of David's mighty men. These were the warriors who joined David in his reign and helped him establish his kingdom. The list includes names of notable men such as Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Abishai, who were known for their bravery and loyalty to David.
The inclusion of this list serves to highlight the importance of loyalty and unity in establishing a kingdom. These mighty men were not only skilled warriors, but they were also fiercely loyal to David. This loyalty was crucial in ensuring the success of David's reign and the establishment of a strong and united kingdom. This theme of loyalty is also seen in the relationship between David and his men, as they were willing to risk their lives for their king.
Additionally, the list of mighty men also serves as a reminder of God's power and protection. These men were chosen by God to serve under David and their bravery and success in battle can be attributed to God's providence and guidance. This emphasizes the importance of relying on God and seeking His guidance in all endeavors.
The final section of Chapter 11 describes the conquest of Jerusalem by David and his men. Jerusalem was a significant city for the Israelites as it was the location of the temple, which was the center of their worship. The capture of Jerusalem marked the fulfillment of God's promise to David that he would establish a holy city for His people.
The conquest of Jerusalem also symbolizes the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. Jerusalem became known as the city of God, and it served as a physical representation of God's presence among His people. This further emphasizes the importance of Jerusalem in the history of the Israelites and its significance as a holy city.
Furthermore, the conquest of Jerusalem also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His fulfillment of His promises. God had promised David that he would establish a kingdom for him and his descendants, and the capture of Jerusalem was a crucial step in fulfilling this promise. This serves as a reminder to trust in God's promises and have faith that He will fulfill them in His perfect timing.
Overall, Chapter 11 of 1 Chronicles highlights the themes of divine appointment, loyalty, and the establishment of Jerusalem as the holy city. Through the anointing of David as king, the list of his mighty men, and the conquest of Jerusalem, this chapter emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's plans, remaining loyal to Him and His chosen leaders, and recognizing the significance of Jerusalem as a symbol of God's kingdom on earth. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and the importance of seeking His guidance in all aspects of life.
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