1 Chronicles 11

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

In this chapter is repeated. 1. David’s elevation is the throes, ver. 1—3. 2. His conquest of the castle of Zion, ver. 4—9. 3. A catalogue of his warbless, and the great men of his kingdom, ver. 10—47.

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 swell he that leddeth out, and broughteth in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people in 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 at 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 smineth 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 Milo 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.

David, on Saul’s death, was soon received in Judah, and reigned in Hebron, though he was not, till seven years afterwards, acknowledged as king by the other tribes. But God’s counsel must stand: the time came, when Israel bowed before him, future allegiance, and received the reciprocal assurance of an equitable and righteous government. The obligation between prince and people is mutual; the one as much bound to rule with justice, as the other to obey with cheerfulness. When they were gathered together on this solemn occasion, David led them against the forrest of Jebus, where he intended to fix his royal residence; and though strong by art and nature, yet, animated by the prospect of preferment, Joab entered the place. Shall the prospect of a part of honour thus engage the soldier to hazard his life; and shall we hesitate at any difficulties in our spiritual warfare, where we are assured of success, and animated by promises of eternal glory?

10. ¶ Babine-Chrift

11. ¶ Thefe also are the chief of the mighty men which 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; Jaffobeam an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lift up his spear against three hundred Sain by him at one time. 12. ¶ And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahothite, who was not of the three mighties. 13. He was with David at Paf-dammin, 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 let 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 Repham. 16. And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines garlton was then at Beth-lehem. 17. And David longed, and said, O that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, that is at the gate! 18. And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, 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; that 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. Thee things did these three mighties. 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 honourable than the two, for he was their captain; however, he attained not unto the first three. 22. Benalah the son of Jehoiada, the son of Dodo, of Beth-lehem, 27. Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28. In the son of Ikkeith the Tekoite, Ahlezer the Antoothite, 29. Shbhecai, the Hufhathite, § Ilai the Ahothite, 30. Maharai the Netophathite, § Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31. Ithai the son of Rifai of Gilbeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benalah the Pirathonite, 32. Hurai of the brooks of Gaath, Abiel the Arhathite, 33. Armawrath the Baharumite, Elashia the Shaalbonite. 34. The sons of Hafeem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite, 35. Ahlam the son of Sacar the Hararites; § Eliphal the son of Ur, 36. Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahiah the Pelonite, 37. Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38. Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggari, 39. Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armour-bearer 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 Jehoahaphat the Mithnite, 44. Uraia the Aftiterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite, 45. Jeflael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother the Tizite, 46. Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Jofhaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47. Eliel, and Obed, and Jafiel the Mefobaitte.

12. 10-47. This catalogue of worthless we had before, a Sam. 1st, which others are here added in there, 9. 45-47. By their assistance chiefly the kingdom was confirmed to David, and by supporting him they strengthened and advanced themselves. They who have been our helpers in any shape, have a right to our grateful returns. The exploits these performed were great and astonishing; but every believer, lifted under the banner of Jesus, is strengthened for mightier conflicts, and enabled for more glorious achievements; for we wrestle not with faith and blood only, but with angels, principalities, and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world. It was not, however, till after enduring many dangers with their king, that they came to reign with him. Through much tribulation, and suffering hardship, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, can we only hope to sit down with him in his kingdom.