The big picture
1 Chronicles 11 opens in verse 1 with “Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 24 with “These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.”, and closes in verse 47 with “Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.” Repeated or prominent terms include David, Israel, LORD, Philistines, slew. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Chronicles · King James Version · 471 Chronicles 11:1-8
1–8: All Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we…
1 Chronicles 11:1–8 opens with “Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and…” and reaches “And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 11 develops its own movement around David, Israel, LORD, Philistines, slew, with particular weight carried by David, Israel, city.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.” Naming David and Hebron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion…” Naming David and Jebus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 11:1-8
King James Version1Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2And 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.
3Therefore 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.
4And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
5And 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.
6And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
7And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.
8And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
1 Chronicles 11:9-16
9–16: So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.
1 Chronicles 11:9–16 opens with “So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.” and reaches “And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison was then at Beth-lehem.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 11 develops its own movement around David, Israel, LORD, Philistines, slew, with particular weight carried by David, Philistines, LORD.
Context that brings the passage to life
“So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“He was with David at Pas-dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of…” Naming Philistines and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 11:9-16
King James Version9So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.
10These 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.
11And 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.
12And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.
13He 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.
14And 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.
15Now 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.
16And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison was then at Beth-lehem.
1 Chronicles 11:17-24
17–24: David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of…
1 Chronicles 11:17–24 opens with “And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of…” and reaches “These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 11 develops its own movement around David, Israel, LORD, Philistines, slew, with particular weight carried by slew, drink, spear.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“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…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“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…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
1 Chronicles 11:17-24
King James Version17And 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!
18And 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 ,
19And 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.
20And 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.
21Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
22Benaiah 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.
23And 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.
24These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.
1 Chronicles 11:25-32
25–32: Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the…
1 Chronicles 11:25–32 opens with “Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set…” and reaches “Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 11 develops its own movement around David, Israel, LORD, Philistines, slew, with particular weight carried by Netophathite, Abiel, Ahohite.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
1 Chronicles 11:25-32
King James Version25Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
26Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem,
27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abi-ezer the Antothite,
29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
1 Chronicles 11:33-40
33–40: Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
1 Chronicles 11:33–40 opens with “Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,” and reaches “Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 11 develops its own movement around David, Israel, LORD, Philistines, slew, with particular weight carried by Hararite, Ithrite, Ahiam.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,” Naming Azmaveth and Baharumite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 11:33-40
King James Version33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,
39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
1 Chronicles 11:41-47
41–47: Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
1 Chronicles 11:41–47 opens with “Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,” and reaches “Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 11 develops its own movement around David, Israel, LORD, Philistines, slew, with particular weight carried by Eliel, sons, Adina.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,” Naming Ahlai and Hittite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 11:41-47
King James Version41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
42Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
43Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
45Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
47Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Chronicles 11:1 begins with “Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Chronicles 11:19 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
1 Chronicles 11:47 leaves the reader with “Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words David, Israel, LORD, Philistines, slew, chief help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How will Abram's story answer Babel?
The builders seek to make their own name; God promises to make Abram's name great and to bless other families through him.
What obstacles frame the coming promise?
The family has not reached Canaan, and Sarai has no child.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
