1
Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
2
Long ago, when Saul was king, it was you who led Israel out and brought them in. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel, and you shall be ruler over my people Israel.’”
3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. Then they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.
4
Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem; that is Jebus, where the Jebusites were the inhabitants of the land.
5
The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.
6
David had said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief.
7
Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the City of David.
8
He fortified the city all around, from the Millo even all around, while Joab rebuilt the rest of the city.
9
And David grew greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.
10
These are the chiefs of the mighty men who supported David strongly in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
11
This is the list of the mighty men who were with David: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni, chief of the thirty; he wielded his spear against three hundred men whom he killed at one time.
12
After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite; he was one of the three mighty men.
13
He was with David at Pas-dammim, when the Philistines gathered there for battle. There was a plot of ground full of barley there; and when the people fled from before the Philistines,
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they took their stand in the middle of that field; they defended it and struck down the Philistines. And the LORD gave a great victory.
15
Three of the thirty chiefs once went down to the rock to David, to the cave of Adullam, while the army of the Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
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At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was then at Bethlehem.
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And David longed, and said, “Oh that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!”
18
Then the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, carried it, and brought it to David. But David would not drink it; instead, he poured it out as a drink offering to the LORD,
19
saying, “Far be it from me, O God, to do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men, who went at the risk of their lives? For they brought it at the risk of their lives.” And he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.
20
Abishai, Joab’s brother, was chief of the thirty. He wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and he won a name among the thirty.
21
Of the thirty he was most honored. He became their leader, but he could not equal the three.
22
Next was Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, who had done many deeds, from Kabzeel; he struck down the two mighty men of Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day.
23
He also killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a staff, seized the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.
24
These things Benaiah son of Jehoiada did; he won a name among the thirty mighty men.
25
Indeed, he was most honored among the thirty, but he could not equal the three. And David appointed him over his bodyguard.
26
The mighty men were also Asahel, Joab’s brother; Elhanan son of Dodo, from Bethlehem;
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Shammoth the Harorite; Helez the Pelonite;
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Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; Abiezer the Anathothite;
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Sibbecai the Hushathite; Ilai the Ahohite;
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Maharai the Netophathite; Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite;
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Ithai son of Ribai, from Gibeah of Benjamin; Benaiah the Pirathonite;
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Hurai from the valleys of Gaash; Abiel the Arbathite;
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Azmaveth the Baharumite; Eliahba the Shaalbonite;
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the sons of Hashem the Gizonite; Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite;
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Ahiam son of Sacar the Hararite; Eliphal son of Ur;
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Hepher the Mecherathite; Ahijah the Pelonite;
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Hezro the Carmelite; Naarai son of Ezbai;
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Joel the brother of Nathan; Mibhar son of Hagri;
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Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai the Beerothite, armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah;
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Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite;
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Uriah the Hittite; Zabad son of Ahlai;
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Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and with him were thirty men;
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Hanan son of Maacah; Jehoshaphat the Mithnite;
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Uzzia the Ashterathite; Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham the Aroerite;
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Jediael son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite;
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Eliel the Mahavite; Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam; Ithmah the Moabite;
47
Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
⚔️👑🏰 Summary of 1 Chronicles 11 – David Anointed King and the Mighty Warriors
1 Chronicles 11 marks the beginning of David’s reign as king over all Israel, with focus on the capture of Jerusalem and the list of the warriors who were with him. This chapter affirms that David’s greatness was not only because of his position, but because of his faithfulness to the Lord and the faithful leaders around him.
📌 1. David Anointed as King of Israel (verses 1–3)
➡️ All the tribes of Israel came to Hebron and said, “We are your flesh and blood.”
➡️ They acknowledged that David had led even while Saul was still alive
➡️ So David was anointed king over Israel by all the people, according to the Lord’s promise
🎯 True leadership grows from recognition, experience, and God’s calling.
📌 2. The Capture of Jerusalem (verses 4–9)
➡️ David and his men attacked Jerusalem, the city of the Jebusites
➡️ The Jebusites mocked David, but David succeeded in taking it
➡️ Joab went up first and became commander
➡️ David lived in the stronghold of Zion — later known as the City of David
🎯 The Lord can use courage and strategy to open the way for the fulfillment of His promise.
📌 3. David’s List of Warriors (verses 10–47)
➡️ The three chief warriors:
- Jashobeam, killed 300 men with his spear
- Eleazar, stood firm in battle when others fled
- Shammah, fought in the bean field against the Philistines
➡️ A special event: Three heroes broke through the Philistine forces just to bring water from the well of Bethlehem for David — but David did not drink it; instead, he offered it to the Lord.
➡️ The list also includes Abishai (Joab’s brother), Benaiah son of Jehoiada (who killed a lion and a giant Egyptian), as well as thirty other heroes
🎯 A great leader is surrounded by people who are loyal, courageous, and of extraordinary devotion.
📖 Main Teaching
- True leadership begins with God’s calling and is recognized by the people
- Spiritual and physical victories often come from faith and courageous action
- The loyalty of followers is one of the keys to a leader’s success
- Devotion to God is more important than personal achievement
- David gave an example of leadership that honors and glorifies God
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Hebrews 13:7
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.”
➡️ Like David, a true leader directs people to the Lord
📖 Romans 12:11
“Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
➡️ David’s heroes showed a fervent spirit of service
📖 2 Timothy 2:3
“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ.”
➡️ David’s heroes are a picture of faithful followers of Christ in the battle of faith
📖 Mark 9:41
“Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink… he will by no means lose his reward.”
➡️ The mighty men brought water to David as an act of love and honor — Jesus values such simple acts
🕊️ “Then all Israel came to David at Hebron…” – 1 Chronicles 11:1
🕊️ “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander.” – 1 Chronicles 11:6
🕊️ “They took water from the well of Bethlehem… and brought it to David.” – 1 Chronicles 11:18
🕊️ “He would not drink it, but poured it out as a drink offering to the LORD.” – 1 Chronicles 11:18
