1 Chronicles 11

1 Chronicles 11:1

III. THE REIGN OF DAVID (Chaps. 1129) A. David’s Army (Chaps. 11, 12)1. David’s Valiant Warriors (Chap. 11)11:1-3 Chronicles does not mention the short and unsuccessful rule of Ishbosheth (2 Sam. 24), but moves on to David’s coronation at Hebron (cf. 2 Sam. 5). 11:4-9 King David’s first order of business was to secure a capital for himself. These verses tell how Jerusalem was taken (cf. 2Sa_5:6-10). David’s nephew, Joab the son of Zeruiah, was also commander of his army. He displayed great courage and bravery in the capture of Jerusalem. In accordance with David’s promise, he was made chief of the armies of Israel. Although a valiant warrior, Joab was a ruthless man, not named among David’s mighty men, perhaps because of his unscrupulous character. 11:10 This list of David’s warriors is put at the beginning of his reign. In 2 Samuel 23 a similar list is placed at the end of his reign. These mighty men came to David at different times in his career. Some came to him when he was in the cave at Adullam (vv. 15-19). Some came when he was at Ziklag (1Ch_12:1-22). Some came when David was made king in Hebron (1Ch_12:23-40). Following is a list of some of David’s “mighty men” and a few of their “mighty deeds”: 11:11 Jashobeam: He single-handedly defeated three hundred men with nothing but a spear. God gave him a supernatural victory against Israel’s enemies. Valiant men can still do extraordinary things for God when they trust Him and press the battle against the enemy of men’s souls. 11:12-14 Eleazar the son of Dodo: Note first of all that he was “with David.” He was loyal to David and stood with him when all others fled. And for what was he risking himself? A field . . . of barley! Principle, not property, was at stake. That land belonged by promise to Israel, and the Philistines were not to have so much as one foot of it. Today Christians need to realize that they belong to God and must not allow Satan a foothold in their lives, even in a seemingly insignificant area. 11:15-19 The three . . . men at Adullam: They were with David in his extremity and knew the longing of his heart. They risked their lives to bring him water from the well of Bethlehem which would refresh his spirit. It was not for the honor they would receive, since their names are not mentioned, but for the pleasure it would afford David. Where are the men and women today who dwell close enough to the Lord Jesus to know the longings of His heart? Where are the men and women who will risk all to refresh His soul by bringing Him a drink from some needy mission field? Those who do so will certainly be reckoned among His valiant ones. 11:20, 21 Abishai the brother of Joab was the most honored of the second three. Scripture tells us that Abishai was a man of unwavering devotion to David. He went with David into Saul’s camp (1 Sam. 26), he was with David when he fled Jerusalem during Absalom’s revolt (2 Sam. 16), he crushed the revolt of Sheba (2 Sam. 20), he saved David from the giant Ishbi-Benob (2 Sam. 21), and in many other ways he gave faithful service to his king (2 Sam. 10, 18; 1 Chron. 18). Selfless bravery linked with devoted faithfulness will make anyone a valued friend and servant of the King of kings. 11:22-25 Benaiah: His father was a priest (1Ch_27:5) and a valiant man. He was the head of David’s personal bodyguard. A few of his exploits are listed here. Later he took Joab’s place as commander of the armies of Israel (1Ki_2:34-35). In his victories we see a picture of the overcoming life, where the world (the Egyptian giant), the flesh (Moab), and the devil (the roaring lion) are all confronted and conquered. 11:26-47 Although no deeds are recorded in verses 26-47, the names of those who served David heroically are duly mentioned. Some of the names are very interesting. For example: Zelek the Ammonite (v. 39) and Ithmah the Moabite (v. 46): They were by birth enemies of Israel. But here they are found in the service of Israel’s king. We all were born enemies of God, but by His grace we too can find a place in the King’s army. Uriah the Hittite (v. 41): He was a member of a people who were supposed to have been exterminated by the Israelites when they conquered the Promised Land (Deu_7:1-2). But here he is, a warrior for David. David proved unworthy of his loyalty, ordering Uriah to be murdered so that he could have his wife, Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11).