1 Chronicles 11: King Over All Israel
All the tribes gather to anoint David at Hebron, he captures Zion, and his mighty men rally around him with daring courage.
1 Chronicles 11 (WEB)
1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’”
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to Yahweh’s word by Samuel.
4 David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (the same is Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.
5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is the city of David.
6 David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.
7 David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David.
8 He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9 David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him.
10 Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to Yahweh’s word concerning Israel.
11 This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.
12 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.
13 He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
14 They stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh saved them by a great victory.
15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
16 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
17 David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
18 The three broke through the army 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 Yahweh,
19 and said, “My God forbid it me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?” For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.
20 Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.
21 Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain: however he didn’t attain to the three.
22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.
23 He killed 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 killed him with his own spear.
24 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.
25 Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three: and David set him over his guard.
26 Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,
29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite,
35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,
39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor 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 chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
43 Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
1 Chronicles 11 (KJV)
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 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.
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 is 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 smiteth 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 Millo 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.
10 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.
11 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.
12 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.
13 He was with David at Pas–dammim, 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 set 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 Rephaim.
16 And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison was then at Beth–lehem.
17 And David longed, and said, Oh 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: 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.
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: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
22 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.
23 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.
24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.
25 Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
26 Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth–lehem,
27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abi–ezer the Antothite,
29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34 The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,
39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer 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 Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
1 Chronicles 11 (ASV)
1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over my people Israel.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Jehovah by Samuel.
4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (the same is Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.
5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come in hither. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.
6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.
7 And David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David.
8 And he built the city round about, from Millo even round about; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9 And David waxed greater and greater; for Jehovah of hosts was with him.
10 Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Jehovah concerning Israel.
11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them at one time.
12 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.
13 He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
14 And they stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and Jehovah saved them by a great victory.
15 And three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
16 And David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem.
17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by 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 thereof, but poured it out unto Jehovah,
19 and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this: 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 the three mighty men.
20 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three.
21 Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he slew the twosons ofAriel of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.
23 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.
24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men.
25 Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
26 Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem,
27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,
29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite,
35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,
39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armorbearer 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 chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
43 Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
Summary
All Israel gathers to David at Hebron, confessing that they are his own bone and flesh and recalling that even under Saul it was David who led them out and brought them in. They remember Yahweh's word that David would shepherd and rule his people, so the elders make a covenant with him before the LORD, and they anoint him king according to the word spoken through Samuel. David and all Israel then march on Jebus, and though the inhabitants taunt him, David takes the stronghold of Zion, which becomes the city of David. Joab goes up first against the Jebusites and is made chief, while David builds up the city and grows greater and greater, for Yahweh of Armies is with him. The chapter then names the chief of David's mighty men, who showed themselves strong with him to make him king. Jashobeam, Eleazar, and others perform astonishing feats of valor, and three break through the Philistine lines simply to bring David water from the well of Bethlehem. David refuses to drink it, pouring it out to Yahweh because it was bought with the risk of their lives. A long roll of honor follows, recording the names of those whose loyalty and courage helped establish the kingdom. Together their devotion to David and his devotion to God paint a picture of a king worth following.
Key Figures
- David — Anointed king over all Israel at Hebron, he captures Zion, builds the city of David, and grows great because Yahweh of Armies is with him.
- Joab — Son of Zeruiah, who goes up first against the Jebusites and is made chief and captain of David's army.
- The three mighty men — Jashobeam, Eleazar, and their companions, whose extraordinary courage included breaking through enemy lines to fetch David water from Bethlehem's well.
- Benaiah — Son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior who struck down lion and giant alike and was set over David's guard.
Key Verse
1 Chronicles 11:9 (WEB)
David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him.
Lessons Learned
- True leadership is recognized by those who have seen it tested over time, as Israel recalls how David led them even under Saul (1 Chronicles 11:2).
- God's purposes are accomplished through his appointed word; David is made king according to what Yahweh spoke by Samuel (1 Chronicles 11:3).
- Greatness in God's economy flows from God's presence, not human strength alone (1 Chronicles 11:9).
- Loyal, sacrificial devotion to the king is honored and remembered, even the smallest acts of love (1 Chronicles 11:18-19).
- God keeps the promises he makes. David is anointed king “according to Yahweh’s word by Samuel” (1 Chronicles 11:3, WEB), long after that word was first spoken. The Lord is faithful across years to fulfill what he has said.
- God's presence makes the difference. “David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him” (1 Chronicles 11:9, WEB). It is not David's skill but God's nearness that explains his rise.
- Sacrifice can become an offering of worship. David refuses to drink the water won at the risk of his men's lives, but “poured it out to Yahweh” (1 Chronicles 11:18, WEB). What costs others much is treated as too holy for self-indulgence.
- Faithful service is seen and recorded. The mighty men are named one by one, “who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom” (1 Chronicles 11:10, WEB). God does not forget those who serve his anointed.
- A people united around the right king finds rest. “All Israel gathered themselves to David” (1 Chronicles 11:1, WEB), ending years of division. Unity comes when a people submit together to God's chosen ruler.
- Why do the tribes appeal to David as their “bone and flesh” and recall his past leadership before anointing him? What does this teach about how godly authority is recognized?
- How does the repeated phrase “Yahweh of Armies was with him” reshape the way we read David's success?
- What does David's refusal to drink the water from Bethlehem's well reveal about his heart toward God and toward his men?
- Why might the Chronicler take such care to list the names of so many warriors? What comfort is there in being named and remembered by God?
- David is a king worth following because God was with him; in what areas of life is God inviting you to give him your loyal devotion?
- Israel grounds David's kingship in covenant kinship and in tested experience rather than mere popularity. Help the group see that genuine spiritual authority is usually proven over time and confirmed by God's word, not seized by ambition.
- The phrase moves the spotlight from David to the LORD. His victories are not self-made; they flow from God's presence. Encourage members to credit God for the growth and success they have seen in their own lives.
- David treats the men's risk as something sacred, refusing to consume what was bought with their devotion and instead offering it to God. It models humble, worshipful leadership that does not exploit those who serve. Point toward Christ, who poured out his own life rather than spend others'.
- In a book full of genealogies, naming the warriors honors faithful, often unseen service. Reassure the group that God sees and records every act of loyal obedience, however small it seems to us.
- This is a gentle personal-application question. Invite members to name one relationship or responsibility where they sense God calling them to wholehearted devotion, and pray together for courage like the mighty men's, rooted in God's presence.