1 Chronicles Chapter 11
David’s Reign and Mighty Men
A. David becomes king over Israel
1. (1 Chronicles 11:1-3) The elders declare David king at Hebron
“Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 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. 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.”
The Chronicler now shifts from Saul’s tragic end to the rise of David, God’s chosen king. The tribes of Israel gathered themselves to David at Hebron, marking the unification of the nation under a single monarch. Prior to this moment, only the tribe of Judah had recognized David’s kingship, while the remaining tribes followed Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, whose reign collapsed after his assassination. The Chronicler deliberately omits the seven and a half years in which David reigned over Judah alone, beginning instead with this decisive moment when the entire nation acknowledged him. This is because the Chronicler’s purpose is theological. He highlights the unity of Israel under God’s chosen king.
This event marks David’s third anointing. First, Samuel anointed him privately in his youth as recorded in First Samuel chapter sixteen. Second, the tribe of Judah anointed him after Saul’s death in Second Samuel chapter two. Now, all Israel anoints him in Hebron. Each anointing expanded the public recognition of God’s call upon David’s life. This last anointing fulfilled the prophetic word spoken by Samuel that the kingdom would be given to a man after God’s own heart as stated in First Samuel chapter thirteen verse fourteen.
It is significant that Israel turned to David only after their own choice, Ishbosheth, suffered defeat. This reflects a pattern frequently seen among God’s people. Many turn to God’s chosen king only when their idols and alternatives collapse. David should have been embraced from the beginning, yet Israel chose otherwise until their preferred leader fell. This carries a spiritual parallel. Many people recognize Jesus Christ as Lord only when the other foundations of their life fail. God desires that His people choose His appointed king from the outset rather than as a last resort.
The elders declared to David, we are thy bone and thy flesh. This statement expressed kinship and solidarity. Though David had lived for a season among the Philistines, they acknowledged him as one of their own. They also acknowledged his military leadership, for even during Saul’s reign David repeatedly led Israel out and brought them in, a Hebrew idiom meaning to lead into battle and lead home safely. David’s proven character and courageous leadership earned him the trust of the nation.
Most importantly, the elders recognized that God had chosen David. The Lord thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel. The word feed signifies the role of a shepherd. David’s kingship was defined not by domination but by care, guidance, and accountability to the true King, the Lord Himself. Selman notes that the shepherd imagery underscores that David remained subordinate to God, responsible for the well being of God’s flock.
The elders saw three marks of true spiritual leadership in David. First, he belonged to God’s people by heritage and heart. Second, he had demonstrated capability through faithful leadership. Third, he had an evident divine call. These qualities should mark all leaders among God’s people, and God’s people should willingly recognize leadership when these traits are present.
David made a covenant with the elders in Hebron before the Lord. This covenant formalized the relationship between the king and the people, binding David to rule according to the law of God. They then anointed David king over Israel according to the word of the Lord by Samuel. The moment fulfilled years of waiting, hardship, exile, and testing. David now stood as the rightful, God appointed king over the united nation.
2. (1 Chronicles 11:4-9) David takes control of Jerusalem, making it his capital city
“And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, where the Jebusites were the inhabitants of the land. 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. 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. And David dwelt in the castle, therefore they called it the city of David. And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. So David waxed greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.”
David’s first major act as king over the unified nation was the conquest of Jerusalem. The city was then known as Jebus, held by the Jebusites, a Canaanite people who had occupied the site for centuries. Despite God’s original command in the days of Joshua, Israel had never fully driven them out. Jerusalem remained a fortified pagan stronghold in the very heart of the land for nearly four hundred years. The fact that the Jebusites still dwelt securely in Jerusalem shows how incomplete Israel’s conquest had been and how much work remained in establishing God’s kingdom in the land.
The inhabitants of Jebus mocked David, saying, Thou shalt not come hither. Because Jerusalem sat upon steep ridges and natural fortifications, it was considered nearly impregnable. Its position gave the Jebusites great confidence. Yet their pride could not stand against the man whom God had anointed. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion. The Chronicler gives no detail about the battle, but Second Samuel chapter five hints at the daring assault that allowed David’s men to penetrate the fortress. The point is simple. What had stood unconquered for centuries fell in a moment when God’s chosen king acted in faith and obedience.
David announced that whoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. This challenge may indicate David’s desire to open opportunity for another commander besides Joab, whose violent and stubborn character often conflicted with David’s heart. Nevertheless Joab seized the opportunity. He went first up and became chief. Whatever David’s hopes may have been, Joab’s military skill and fierce ambition secured him the position once again.
David then dwelt in the castle, establishing Jerusalem as his capital. This choice was wise both politically and militarily. Politically, Jerusalem had no tribal association. It did not belong to Judah, Ephraim, or any specific tribe, therefore it served as a neutral unifying city for the entire nation. Militarily, the city’s natural defenses made it ideal for a royal capital. Its strategic elevation and narrow access points allowed it to withstand siege and attack more effectively than other cities in Israel.
David built the city round about, from Millo outward. Millo refers to a terraced structure or earth filled fortress section of the city that strengthened its defenses. David invested in strengthening and expanding the city because he understood that the capital of God’s kingdom must be secure, fortified, and worthy of the presence of the ark that would eventually be brought there. Joab repaired the rest of the city, demonstrating that although David had hoped for new leadership, Joab’s abilities remained essential to the establishment of the new capital.
Finally, the Chronicler says, David waxed greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him. David’s rise was not the result of political calculation alone, nor of military ability, nor of personal skill. His greatness was the fruit of God’s presence and favor. Yet even with God’s blessing, David’s path had not been easy. He endured years of hardship, exile, danger, and suffering. In God’s providence, greatness is nearly always forged in hidden places, through hardship and discipline. David’s victory in Jerusalem was the culmination of a long process of training and preparation under the hand of the Lord.
David’s conquest of Jerusalem marks a foundational moment in biblical history. It established the city that would become the center of worship, the seat of David’s dynasty, the place where Solomon would build the temple, the city where prophets would speak, where Jesus Christ would die and rise again, and where He will one day reign in fulfillment of God’s promises. The City of David begins here, as a captured fortress transformed by God’s chosen king into the heart of His kingdom.
B. David’s mighty men
1. (1 Chronicles 11:10) David needed these faithful men for his success
“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.”
The Chronicler now turns from David’s coronation and conquest of Jerusalem to the men who formed the backbone of his kingdom. These mighty men were not random warriors, they were the heads of David’s elite fighting force. Their loyalty, courage, and unity with David were instrumental in establishing his rule over Israel. Scripture says they strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom. This means that they bound themselves to David’s mission, shared in his hardships, defended his life, and advanced the cause God had given him.
David was a great leader, but even the greatest leader is powerless without faithful men. David’s rise did not occur in isolation. He had been joined years earlier by those who were distressed, indebted, and discontented as recorded in First Samuel chapter twenty two verses one and two. Under David’s leadership these broken men were transformed into warriors of legendary renown. Their greatness was not inherent but developed through loyalty, discipline, suffering, and shared commitment to God’s anointed king.
The Chronicler emphasizes that these men fought to make him king according to the word of the Lord. Their labor was not merely personal loyalty to David but obedience to God’s revealed will. They recognized that David was the Lord’s chosen, and they aligned themselves with that divine purpose. Their courage flowed from faith, and their battles were undertaken in pursuit of God’s kingdom on earth. In highlighting these mighty men, Scripture teaches that God often accomplishes His purposes through faithful servants who rally behind His appointed leader.
2. (1 Chronicles 11:11-14) Two of David’s mighty men
“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. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties. 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. 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.”
The Chronicler begins the roster of mighty men with Jashobeam the Hachmonite, called the chief of the captains. He stood at the top of David’s elite warriors. In Second Samuel chapter twenty three verse eight, a parallel account says he killed eight hundred at once, while First Chronicles records three hundred. The difference is almost certainly due to a numerical transcription issue in ancient manuscript copying. Regardless of the exact number, Scripture’s point is clear. Jashobeam performed extraordinary acts of courage, standing alone against overwhelming odds, and God granted him victory.
His title as chief of the captains shows that even leaders need leadership. He was a commander among commanders, a man respected not only for his skill but for his character and loyalty. His exploits demonstrate that God can use one faithful man to turn the tide of an entire battle. Numbers matter, yet they are never the determining factor in the work of God. One man empowered by God can rout a multitude.
After Jashobeam, the Chronicler names Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighties. Eleazar fought with David at Pasdammim, a site known for frequent encounters between Israel and the Philistines. When the Philistines advanced to seize a field of barley, the people fled in fear. Yet David and Eleazar stood their ground in the middle of the field. They defended it and slew the Philistines. Second Samuel chapter twenty three verse ten adds that Eleazar fought with such intensity that his hand cleaved to the sword. This vivid detail illustrates total commitment, the kind of resolve that refuses to retreat regardless of numbers or odds.
Their defense of the barley field reveals the heart of David’s men. They valued what God had given Israel, even down to a single agricultural field. They refused to surrender ground that belonged to God’s people. Their actions illustrate a spiritual principle. The enemy often seeks to take what appears small or insignificant. Faithful servants of God stand their ground even when others retreat. The Chronicler concludes by noting that the Lord saved them by a great deliverance. The victory belonged to God, but He accomplished it through the unwavering courage of His mighty men.
3. (1 Chronicles 11:15-19) David’s mighty men and the mission for the water of Bethlehem
“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. And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison was then at Bethlehem. 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. 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. 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.”
David again found himself in the cave of Adullam, the same place where distressed and indebted men had first gathered around him in First Samuel chapter twenty two. Whether this event occurred during that period or during a later conflict, the point is clear. The Philistines had advanced deep into Judah, even establishing a garrison in Bethlehem, David’s hometown. This shows the severe military pressure Israel faced. Bethlehem, once peaceful and insignificant in the eyes of the world, was now under enemy control.
David longed aloud for a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem. This was not a command or a request, merely a wistful longing spoken from the heart. The water of Bethlehem represented David’s memories of home, childhood innocence, and the simple joys now overshadowed by the hardships of war. Such longings are familiar to the human heart. As Meyer notes, believers sometimes yearn for the waters of former days, for past innocence, for the joys of childhood, for the sweetness of earlier seasons. Yet Scripture teaches that longing for the past often blinds us to the grace God provides in the present. Christ Himself offers living water, present and abundant, surpassing anything nostalgia can give.
Nevertheless three of David’s mighty men heard their king’s desire and acted without hesitation. They broke through the Philistine camp, risked their lives, drew water from the well, and returned to David with the precious gift. The courage required for this mission cannot be overstated. They faced an entrenched garrison, penetrated enemy lines, recovered the water, and escaped safely. Their devotion reveals the kind of loyalty that David inspired. These men did not treat his longing lightly. They regarded his expressed desire as an opportunity to serve and honor the Lord’s anointed.
When the water was brought to David, he refused to drink it. Instead he poured it out before the Lord. David understood that water obtained at the jeopardy of life was too precious for mere consumption. In his eyes, the water had become the equivalent of the blood of his men. Only God was worthy of such an offering. David turned their act of loyalty into an act of worship. Selman notes that this moment highlights three truths. It displays the bravery of the mighty men, it demonstrates David’s ability to inspire such devotion, and it shows that David recognized the Lord as the ultimate recipient of sacrificial honor.
David’s refusal to drink was not ingratitude. It was reverence. He would not dishonor the risk his men had taken by treating the water as common refreshment. He sanctified their sacrifice by giving it to God. This is the heart of a true king, one who fears the Lord, honors those who serve, and understands that all glory belongs to the Lord of hosts.
4. (1 Chronicles 11:20-25) Other accomplishments of David’s mighty men
“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. Of the three he was more honourable than the two, for he was their captain, howbeit he attained not to the first three. 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. 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. These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties. Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.”
Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief among another group of three warriors. Scripture records that he lifted up his spear against three hundred men and slew them. His name appears repeatedly in David’s life. In First Samuel chapter twenty six he accompanied David into Saul’s camp. In Second Samuel chapter three he participated in the avenging of Asahel. In Second Samuel chapter ten he commanded one division of David’s army. Abishai was fearless, forceful, and fiercely loyal. Although he did not attain to the honor of the first three, he was more honored than the two in his own group and became their captain.
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada is one of the most remarkable warriors in Scripture. He was the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel and performed deeds that became legendary in Israel. He slew two lionlike men of Moab, a phrase describing fierce, powerful warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. This act demonstrates unmatched courage and resolve. Snow would have made footing dangerous and the pit would have limited movement, yet Benaiah willingly entered the confined space and slew the beast.
He also faced an Egyptian giant five cubits high, roughly seven and a half feet tall. The Egyptian carried a spear like a weaver’s beam, the same phrase used to describe Goliath’s spear in First Samuel chapter seventeen. Benaiah approached him not with equal weaponry but with only a staff. He disarmed the giant, seized his spear, and killed him with his own weapon. This shows both skill and fearlessness, a refusal to be intimidated by physical disadvantage.
Because of these exploits Benaiah became renowned among the mighty men. He did not attain to the first three, yet he was esteemed above the thirty. David set him over his guard, the elite bodyguard of the king. In later years Benaiah would become commander of Solomon’s army, further demonstrating his character and capability.
The Chronicler presents these mighty men not merely to celebrate military valor but to illustrate the type of men God places around His chosen king. Their courage, loyalty, strength, and devotion reflect the spiritual commitment that marks God’s servants. They stood with David through hardship, warfare, danger, and sacrifice. God used their valor to establish the kingdom.
5. (1 Chronicles 11:26-47) The honor roll of David’s mighty men
“Also the valiant men of the armies were. Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite, Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shageh the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.”
This extensive list serves as the Chronicler’s honor roll of David’s mighty men. These were warriors of courage, loyalty, and proven devotion, men who stood with David through years of struggle and who helped establish his kingdom after Saul’s death. They represent the transformed company of distressed, indebted, and discontented men who originally joined David at the cave of Adullam in First Samuel chapter twenty two verses one and two. Under David’s leadership these broken men became mighty men, a testimony not only to their willingness to follow but also to the shaping power of godly leadership.
The Chronicler records a wide variety of backgrounds. Some came from Bethlehem, others from Tekoa, Gibeah, Netophah, Gaash, Bahurim, Carmel, Aroer, Ashteroth, Moab, and even Ammonite territory. God assembled this band from every corner of Israel, and even from surrounding nations, showing that the Lord builds His kingdom with men of many backgrounds who give themselves wholly to His appointed king. Their diversity also underscores the unity God created under David’s rule. Though their origins varied, their loyalty was singular.
Among the first names is Asahel the brother of Joab. Asahel is known from Second Samuel chapter two verse eighteen where he is described as swift of foot, yet was tragically killed by Abner, commander of Ishbosheth’s armies. His early death did not erase his honor or his place among David’s mighty men. The Chronicler preserves his name to ensure that his valor is remembered.
Uriah the Hittite is also listed, and his inclusion carries weighty theological implication. Uriah was not merely a soldier, he was one of David’s elite. He was loyal, courageous, and devoted to the kingdom. According to Second Samuel chapter eleven verse three he was also tied by marriage and family to other influential men in David’s court. When David learned of Bathsheba’s relationship to Uriah and to Eliam and Ahithophel, he should have seen clearly the danger and sin of pursuing adultery. Uriah’s presence in this list is a silent indictment of David’s grievous sin, and a reminder that even the greatest saints can fall when they disregard the Word of the Lord.
This list ends differently from Second Samuel chapter twenty three. The Samuel list ends with Uriah the Hittite, but the Chronicler adds additional names beyond him. Poole explains that these additional names likely reflect later recognition of valor among David’s commanders who did not belong to the core thirty, yet whose deeds earned them a place of honor among Israel’s warriors.
The significance of this section extends beyond a list of names. These men represent the foundation of David’s greatness. Their courage and commitment made possible the victories that established the kingdom. Morgan rightly observes that more than all David’s victories against outside foes, the influence of his character on the men nearest him testifies to his essential greatness. These men followed him because they saw in him the character, faith, and calling of God.
The Chronicler includes their names to preserve their memory for all generations. They were men who risked their lives tirelessly, defended the land, fought for the king, and stood firm when others fled. Their loyalty was rewarded by God with an enduring record in Scripture. Their example challenges believers to stand faithfully with God’s anointed King, Jesus Christ, to fight spiritual battles with courage, and to remain steadfast even when the world falters.
