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1 Chronicles 11:1-47 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Then all Israel H3478 gathered H6908 themselves to David H1732 unto Hebron, H2275 saying, H559 Behold, we are thy bone H6106 and thy flesh. H1320

2 And moreover in time H8543 past, H8032 even when Saul H7586 was king, H4428 thou wast he that leddest out H3318 and broughtest in H935 Israel: H3478 and the LORD H3068 thy God H430 said H559 unto thee, Thou shalt feed H7462 my people H5971 Israel, H3478 and thou shalt be ruler H5057 over my people H5971 Israel. H3478

3 Therefore came H935 all the elders H2205 of Israel H3478 to the king H4428 to Hebron; H2275 and David H1732 made H3772 a covenant H1285 with them in Hebron H2275 before H6440 the LORD; H3068 and they anointed H4886 David H1732 king H4428 over Israel, H3478 according to the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 by H3027 Samuel. H8050

4 And David H1732 and all Israel H3478 went H3212 to Jerusalem, H3389 which is Jebus; H2982 where the Jebusites H2983 were, the inhabitants H3427 of the land. H776

5 And the inhabitants H3427 of Jebus H2982 said H559 to David, H1732 Thou shalt not come H935 hither. Nevertheless David H1732 took H3920 the castle H4686 of Zion, H6726 which is the city H5892 of David. H1732

6 And David H1732 said, H559 Whosoever smiteth H5221 the Jebusites H2983 first H7223 shall be chief H7218 and captain. H8269 So Joab H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 went H5927 first H7223 up, H5927 and was chief. H7218

7 And David H1732 dwelt H3427 in the castle; H4679 therefore they called H7121 it the city H5892 of David. H1732

8 And he built H1129 the city H5892 round about, H5439 even from Millo H4407 round about: H5439 and Joab H3097 repaired H2421 the rest H7605 of the city. H5892

9 So David H1732 waxed H3212 greater H1980 and greater: H1419 for the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 was with him.

10 These also are the chief H7218 of the mighty men H1368 whom David H1732 had, who strengthened H2388 themselves with him in his kingdom, H4438 and with all Israel, H3478 to make him king, H4427 according to the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 concerning Israel. H3478

11 And this is the number H4557 of the mighty men H1368 whom David H1732 had; Jashobeam, H3434 an Hachmonite, H2453 the chief H7218 of the captains: H7991 H7970 he lifted up H5782 his spear H2595 against three H7969 hundred H3967 slain H2491 by him at one H259 time. H6471

12 And after H310 him was Eleazar H499 the son H1121 of Dodo, H1734 the Ahohite, H266 who was one of the three H7969 mighties. H1368

13 He was with David H1732 at Pasdammim, H6450 and there the Philistines H6430 were gathered together H622 to battle, H4421 where was a parcel H2513 of ground H7704 full H4392 of barley; H8184 and the people H5971 fled H5127 from before H6440 the Philistines. H6430

14 And they set H3320 themselves in the midst H8432 of that parcel, H2513 and delivered H5337 it, and slew H5221 the Philistines; H6430 and the LORD H3068 saved H3467 them by a great H1419 deliverance. H8668

15 Now three H7969 of the thirty H7970 captains H7218 went down H3381 to the rock H6697 to David, H1732 into the cave H4631 of Adullam; H5725 and the host H4264 of the Philistines H6430 encamped H2583 in the valley H6010 of Rephaim. H7497

16 And David H1732 was then in the hold, H4686 and the Philistines' H6430 garrison H5333 was then at Bethlehem. H1035

17 And David H1732 longed, H183 and said, H559 Oh that one would give me drink H8248 of the water H4325 of the well H953 of Bethlehem, H1035 that is at the gate! H8179

18 And the three H7969 brake through H1234 the host H4264 of the Philistines, H6430 and drew H7579 water H4325 out of the well H953 of Bethlehem, H1035 that was by the gate, H8179 and took H5375 it, and brought H935 it to David: H1732 but David H1732 would H14 not drink H8354 of it, but poured it out H5258 to the LORD, H3068

19 And said, H559 My God H430 forbid H2486 it me, that I should do H6213 this thing: H2063 shall I drink H8354 the blood H1818 of these men H582 that have put their lives in jeopardy? H5315 for with the jeopardy of their lives H5315 they brought H935 it. Therefore he would H14 not drink H8354 it. These things did H6213 these three H7969 mightiest. H1368

20 And Abishai H52 the brother H251 of Joab, H3097 he was chief H7218 of the three: H7969 for lifting up H5782 his spear H2595 against three H7969 hundred, H3967 he slew H2491 them, and had a name H8034 among the three. H7969

21 Of the three, H7969 he was more honourable H3513 than the two; H8147 for he was their captain: H8269 howbeit he attained H935 not to the first three. H7969

22 Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada, H3077 the son H1121 of a valiant H2428 man H376 of Kabzeel, H6909 who had done many H7227 acts; H6467 he slew H5221 two H8147 lionlike men H739 of Moab: H4124 also he went down H3381 and slew H5221 a lion H738 in H8432 a pit H953 in a snowy H7950 day. H3117

23 And he slew H5221 an Egyptian, H4713 a man H376 of great stature, H4060 five H2568 cubits H520 high; and in the Egyptian's H4713 hand H3027 was a spear H2595 like a weaver's H707 beam; H4500 and he went down H3381 to him with a staff, H7626 and plucked H1497 the spear H2595 out of the Egyptian's H4713 hand, H3027 and slew H2026 him with his own spear. H2595

24 These things did H6213 Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada, H3077 and had the name H8034 among the three H7969 mighties. H1368

25 Behold, H2009 he was honourable H3513 among the thirty, H7970 but attained H935 not to the first three: H7969 and David H1732 set H7760 him over his guard. H4928

26 Also the valiant men H1368 of the armies H2428 were, Asahel H6214 the brother H251 of Joab, H3097 Elhanan H445 the son H1121 of Dodo H1734 of Bethlehem, H1035

27 Shammoth H8054 the Harorite, H2033 Helez H2503 the Pelonite, H6397

28 Ira H5896 the son H1121 of Ikkesh H6142 the Tekoite, H8621 Abiezer H44 the Antothite, H6069

29 Sibbecai H5444 the Hushathite, H2843 Ilai H5866 the Ahohite, H266

30 Maharai H4121 the Netophathite, H5200 Heled H2466 the son H1121 of Baanah H1196 the Netophathite, H5200

31 Ithai H863 the son H1121 of Ribai H7380 of Gibeah, H1390 that pertained to the children H1121 of Benjamin, H1144 Benaiah H1141 the Pirathonite, H6553

32 Hurai H2360 of the brooks H5158 of Gaash, H1608 Abiel H22 the Arbathite, H6164

33 Azmaveth H5820 the Baharumite, H978 Eliahba H455 the Shaalbonite, H8170

34 The sons H1121 of Hashem H2044 the Gizonite, H1493 Jonathan H3129 the son H1121 of Shage H7681 the Hararite, H2043

35 Ahiam H279 the son H1121 of Sacar H7940 the Hararite, H2043 Eliphal H465 the son H1121 of Ur, H218

36 Hepher H2660 the Mecherathite, H4382 Ahijah H281 the Pelonite, H6397

37 Hezro H2695 the Carmelite, H3761 Naarai H5293 the son H1121 of Ezbai, H229

38 Joel H3100 the brother H251 of Nathan, H5416 Mibhar H4006 the son H1121 of Haggeri, H1905

39 Zelek H6768 the Ammonite, H5984 Naharai H5171 the Berothite, H1307 the armourbearer H5375 H3627 of Joab H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah, H6870

40 Ira H5896 the Ithrite, H3505 Gareb H1619 the Ithrite, H3505

41 Uriah H223 the Hittite, H2850 Zabad H2066 the son H1121 of Ahlai, H304

42 Adina H5721 the son H1121 of Shiza H7877 the Reubenite, H7206 a captain H7218 of the Reubenites, H7206 and thirty H7970 with him,

43 Hanan H2605 the son H1121 of Maachah, H4601 and Joshaphat H3146 the Mithnite, H4981

44 Uzzia H5814 the Ashterathite, H6254 Shama H8091 and Jehiel H3273 the sons H1121 of Hothan H2369 the Aroerite, H6200

45 Jediael H3043 the son H1121 of Shimri, H8113 and Joha H3109 his brother, H251 the Tizite, H8491

46 Eliel H447 the Mahavite, H4233 and Jeribai, H3403 and Joshaviah, H3145 the sons H1121 of Elnaam, H493 and Ithmah H3495 the Moabite, H4125

47 Eliel, H447 and Obed, H5744 and Jasiel H3300 the Mesobaite. H4677

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 11

In this chapter is repeated,

  • I. The elevation of David to the throne, immediately upon the death of Saul, by common consent (v. 1-3).
  • II. His gaining the castle of Zion out of the hands of the Jebusites (v. 4-9).
  • III. The catalogue of the worthies and great men of his kingdom (v. 10-47).

1Ch 11:1-9

David is here brought to the possession.

  • I. Of the throne of Israel, after he had reigned seven years in Hebron, over Judah only. In consideration of his relation to them (v. 1), his former good services, and especially the divine designation (v. 2), they anointed him their king: he covenanted to protect them, and they to bear faith and true allegiance to him, v. 3. Observe,
    • 1. God's counsels will be fulfilled at last, whatever difficulties lie in the way. If God had said, David shall rule, it is in vain to oppose it.
    • 2. Men that have long stood in their own light, when they have long wearied themselves with their lying vanities, it is to be hoped, will understand the things that belong to their peace and return to their own mercies.
    • 3. Between prince and people there is an original contract, which both ought religiously to observe. If ever any prince might have claimed an absolute despotic power, David might, and might as safely as any have been entrusted with it; and yet he made a covenant with the people, took the coronation-oath, to rule by law.
  • II. Of the strong-hold of Zion, which was held by the Jebusites till David's time. Whether David had a particular eye upon it as a place fit to make a royal city, or whether he had a promise of it from God, it seems that one of his first exploits was to make himself master of that fort; and, when he had it, he called it the city of David, v. 7. To this reference is had, Ps. 2:6. I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. See here what quickens and engages resolution in great undertakings.
    • 1. Opposition. When the Jebusites set David at defiance, and said, Thou shalt not come hither. he resolved to force it, whatever it cost him.
    • 2. Prospect of preferment. When David proposed to give the general's place to him that would lead the attack upon the castle of Zion, Joab was fired with the proposal, and he went up first, and was chief. It has been said, "Take away honour out of the soldier's eye and you cut off the spurs from his heels.'

1Ch 11:10-47

We have here an account of David's worthies, the great men of his time that served him and were preferred by him. The first edition of this catalogue we had, 2 Sa. 23:8, etc. This is much the same, only that those named here from v. 41 to the end are added. Observe,

  • I. The connexion of this catalogue with that which is said concerning David, v. 9.
    • 1. David waxed greater and greater, and these were his mighty men. Much of the strength and honour of great men is borrowed from their servants and depends upon them, which cannot but somewhat diminish pomp and power in the opinion of those that are wise. David is great because he has great men about him; take these away, and he is where he was.
    • 2. The Lord of hosts was with him, and these were the mighty men which he had. God was with him and wrought for him, but by men and means and the use of second causes. By this it appeared that God was with him, that he inclined the hearts of those to come over to him that were able to serve his interest. As, if God be for us none can be against us, so, if God be for us, all shall be for us that we have occasion for. Yet David ascribed his success and increase, not to the hosts he had, but to the Lord of hosts, not to the mighty men that were with him, but to the mighty God whose presence with us is all in all.
  • II. The title of this catalogue (v. 10): These are the men who strengthened themselves with him. In strengthening him they strengthened themselves and their own interest; for his advancement was theirs. What we do in our places for the support of the kingdom of the Son of David we shall be gainers by. In strengthening it we strengthen ourselves. It may be read, They held strongly with him and with all Israel. Note, When God has work to do he will not want fit instruments to do it with. If it be work that requires mighty men, mighty men shall either be found or made to effect it, according to the word of the Lord.
  • III. That which made all these men honourable was the good service that they did to their king and country; they helped to make David king (v. 10)-a good work. They slew the Philistines, and other public enemies, and were instrumental to save Israel. Note, The way to be great is to do good. Nor did they gain this honour without labour and the hazard of their lives. The honours of Christ's kingdom are prepared for those that fight the good fight of faith, that labour and suffer, and are willing to venture all, even life itself, for Christ and a good conscience. It is by a patient continuance in well-doing that we must seek for glory, and honour, and immortality; and those that are faithful to the Son of David shall find their names registered and enrolled much more to their honour than these are in the records of fame.
  • IV. Among all the great exploits of David's mighty men, here is nothing great mentioned concerning David himself but his pouring out water before the Lord which he had longed for, v. 18, 19. Four very honourable dispositions of David appeared in that action, which, for aught I know, made it as great as any of the achievements of those worthies.
    • 1. Repentance for his own weakness. It is really an honour to a man, when he is made sensible that he has said or done any thing unadvisedly, to unsay it and undo it again by repentance, as it is a shame to a man when he has said or done amiss to stand to it.
    • 2. Denial of his own appetite. He longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem; but, when he had it, he would not drink it, because he would not so far humour himself and gratify a foolish fancy. He that has such a rule as this over his own spirit is better than the mighty. It is an honour to a man to have the command of himself; but he that will command himself must sometimes cross himself.
    • 3. Devotion towards God. That water which he thought too good, too precious, for his own drinking, he poured out to the Lord for a drink offering. If we have any thing better than another, let God be honoured with it, who is the best, and should have the best.
    • 4. Tenderness of his servants. It put him into the greatest confusion imaginable to think that three brave men should hazard their lives to fetch water for him. In his account it turns the water into blood. It is the honour of great men not to be prodigal of the blood of those they employ, but, in all the commands they give them, to put their own souls into their souls' stead.
  • V. In the wonderful achievements of these heroes the power of God must be acknowledged. How could one slay 300 and another the same number (v. 11, 20), another two lion-like men (v. 22), and another an Egyptian giant (v. 23), if they had not had the extraordinary presence of God with them, according to that promise, Jos. 23:10, One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God fighteth for you?
  • VI. One of these worthies is said to be an Ammonite (v. 39), another a Moabite (v. 46), and yet the law was that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the congregation of the Lord, Deu. 23:3. These, it is likely, had approved themselves so hearty for the interest of Israel that in their case it was thought fit to dispense with that law, and the rather because it was an indication that the Son of David would have worthies among the Gentiles: with him there is neither Greek nor Jew.