Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
1 Chronicles 11:1

Clarke's Commentary

CHAPTER XI

David is anointed king in Hebron, 1-3.

He wars against the Jebusites, and takes their city, 4-9.

An account of David's three mightiest heroes; and particularly

of their hazardous exploit in bringing water from the well of

Beth-lehem, 10-19.

A list of the rest, and an account of their acts, 20-47.

NOTES ON CHAP. XI

Verse 1 Chronicles 11:1. Then all Israel gathered themselves to David — See 2 Samuel 5:1-10, for the history contained in the first nine verses of this chapter, and the notes there.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

David made king (11:1-12:40)

It seems clear that the writer of Chronicles assumes that his readers have already read the books of Samuel and Kings. (In this commentary also it is assumed that the reader has read these books. For further details see notes and maps at the relevant places in Samuel and Kings, and the appendix at the end of Chronicles.)

In view of his readers’ assumed knowledge, the Chronicler makes no attempt to record events that have little to do with his central purpose. For example, he omits all reference to the attempt by Saul’s followers to continue the rule of Saul’s family (2 Samuel 1:1-12). Instead he passes straight on to the establishment of David in Jerusalem as king over all Israel (11:1-9; see notes on 2 Samuel 5:1-10), and the important part that David’s mighty men played in establishing and maintaining his kingdom (10-47; see notes on 2 Samuel 23:8-39).

Others who gladly gave themselves to David to fight for him are also mentioned: the Benjaminites who joined him at Ziklag when he was fleeing from Saul (12:1-7; see notes on 1 Samuel 27:1-7); the fearless soldiers from Gad, Benjamin and Judah who had previously joined him at his stronghold in Adullum (8-18; see notes on 1 Samuel 22:1-23); and the Israelite military commanders from Manasseh who deserted to him at the time of the Philistines’ last battle with Saul (19-22; see notes on 1 Samuel 29:1-25). Finally, the writer records how all the tribes of Israel sent a representative force of troops to Hebron to present themselves to David, their new king (23-40; see notes on 2 Samuel 5:1-5).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

DAVID MADE KING OVER ALL ISRAEL;
THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM; A LIST OF DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN.

DAVID MADE KING OVER ALL ISRAEL

“Then all Israel gathered themselves together unto David at Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and flesh. 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. 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.”

My comments on these verses are in Vol. 4 of the historical books, (2 Samuel). pp. 53-55.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

This chapter runs parallel with 2 Samuel 5:0 as far as 1 Chronicles 11:9, after which it is to be compared with 2 Samuel 23:8-39 as far as 1 Chronicles 11:40, the remainder 1 Chronicles 11:41-47 being an addition, to which Samuel has nothing corresponding. Compare throughout the notes in Samuel.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 11

David became the king, and so in chapter eleven,

All of Israel gathered themselves to David in Hebron ( 1 Chronicles 11:1 ),

And it tells the numbers of people that gathered. Huge force of people from all of the tribes gathered to David. Hundreds of thousands actually gathered down in Hebron, and the mighty men, men of war and so forth. Now they said to David,

Behold, we are your bone and flesh. And moreover in times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one that led us out and brought us in: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people ( 1 Chronicles 11:1-2 ).

Now the twofold commission of God to David. Number one: you shall feed my people. And, you shall be ruler over them. David was called a man after God's own heart. Because David had the heart of a shepherd. And would to God that every leader over the people had the heart of a shepherd. He was a shepherd made king. But coming from that background he made an ideal king. Because his interest was always in the sheep. And of course, the primary need of the sheep is to be fed.

Now in the New Testament that thought is carried over as Jesus said to Peter, "Do you love me?" "Yes." "Feed my sheep" ( John 21:16 ). Later, Peter wrote, "Feed the flock of God which is among you" ( 1 Peter 5:2 ). Jeremiah, the Lord said, "And in that day I will give them pastors who will feed them in the knowledge of God" ( Jeremiah 3:15 ). And so the command to David to feed the sheep as you rule over the people.

And how important it is for a pastor today to teach the people the knowledge of God. To feed the sheep.

Therefore the elders came to Hebron; made a covenant with David before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel ( 1 Chronicles 11:3 ).

Now they did it again. He had already been anointed earlier.

And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem; and the inhabitants, [the Jebusites who were in Jerusalem] said, You can't come in here ( 1 Chronicles 11:4-5 ).

And David said, "You just think I can't."

And he took the castle of Zion, and he said, Whosoever smites the Jebusites first shall be the chief and the captain over the men. So Joab [his nephew] went up first, and he became the chief. And David dwelt in the castle; and they began to call [then Jerusalem the south slopes] the city of David. And David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him ( 1 Chronicles 11:5-7 , 1 Chronicles 11:9 ).

The secret behind David's greatness: the Lord of hosts was with him.

Now we get a list of some of David's mighty men, and it's interesting this first one that is listed is Jashobeam, verse eleven, and he was the chief of the captains. Now in the other records, nothing is spoken in Kings of this guy Jashobeam, and yet, he was a pretty powerful guy, because in one battle, he lifted up his spear against three hundred men whom he killed. I mean, three hundred to his credit in one battle. So he was not to be messed with.

Now, after him also one of the three mighties, of course, Joab was the first. And then Eleazar was the third. He was one of the three mighties.

And David was at Pasdammim, and the Philistines were gathered together in battle. And there was a parcel of ground that was full of barley; and all of the people fled from before the Philistines ( 1 Chronicles 11:13 ).

And David and this other fellow Eleazar stood in this field of barley while the Philistines attacked. And David and Eleazar defeated the Philistines.

The LORD saved them by a great deliverance ( 1 Chronicles 11:14 ).

David is a very interesting person. He has... really there's much in David to be admired and, of course, there's much to identify with because David was a man and he was subject to the same problems and temptations. And David wasn't a perfect man by any means. In fact, because of some of the things that he did, he was rejected from building the temple unto God though it was in his heart to do it. But yet, he was an admirable, and here the Philistines are attacking, everybody flees, and David and Eleazar stand the ground there in the barley field and wipe out the Philistine attackers.

And so then it lists some of the others of the great. David, it speaks of how that they were near the cave of Adullam, and the host of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

And David was with them there in this fortress, and the Philistines' garrison was then occupying Bethlehem. And David said, [Oh boy,] if I only had a drink of water from the well that's at the gate of Bethlehem! So three [of David's buddies] broke through the ranks of the Philistines, and got him a pitcher of water from the well there at Bethlehem, and they brought it back to David: and David [said, Oh, no, can't believe it. They] took the water and he poured it out [on the ground. He said, I can't drink this. You guys hazarded your lives. You shed blood for this water. I'll give it to God. I'll pour it out] to the Lord ( 1 Chronicles 11:16-19 ).

And so he poured the water out on the ground because he just felt unworthy to drink that water. He felt that those guys that were willing to hazard their lives for a thing like that better that they give it to the Lord. So he poured it out to the Lord, verse eighteen.

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? And for the jeopardy of their lives they brought it to me. Therefore he would not drink it. But these things did these three mightiest men. And Abishai who was the brother of Joab, he was the chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had his name among the three. So yet he was not he did not attain to the first three ( 1 Chronicles 11:19-21 ).

Benaiah, one of the second three along with Abishai had done many acts. He killed two lion like men of Moab. Now whatever that may be. Probably hairy guys with bushy hair and beards.

Also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. And he slew an Egyptian, who was a giant, [seven and a half feet tall]; who had a spear that was like a weaver's beam; and he took and with his spear knocked the spear out of the [guy's] hand, and then he killed him ( 1 Chronicles 11:22-23 ).

And so he became one of the three, but not as mighty as the first three. And then the other thirty of the mighty men of David. He had thirty who were just really outstanding guys. And so their names come in for special mention. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

B. David’s Coronation and Capital 11:1-9

David is really the hero of both 1 and 2 Chronicles. The heart of Chronicles is the rise of David and the establishment of the Davidic kingdom, which begins with chapter 11.

"They [1 and 2 Chronicles] look forward with anticipation to the coming King who will bring in God’s final salvation and blessing." [Note: Sailhamer, p. 32.]

"The principle point we wish to emphasize is that the Chronicler, the composer of the original work, structured his history around the figure of David and his dynasty, focusing attention on the religious activity of the monarch and his successors." [Note: David N. Freedman, "The Chronicler’s Purpose," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 23 (1961):440.]

"David’s heroic personality exemplifies the success that God bestows on those who trust in him, whether in the Chronicler’s time or any other." [Note: Payne, "1, 2 Chronicles," p. 368.]

In 1 Chronicles the writer documented David’s greatness as God’s faithful vice-regent. In 2 Chronicles he evaluated all David’s successors in terms of his successes. In the chapters that unfold, the writer wove his hope for Israel’s future together with God’s love, as demonstrated in His past faithfulness, to encourage faith and obedience in his readers.

David’s eventual coronation was inevitable because God had chosen him as king long before Saul died. The Chronicler began his history of David with his coronation over all 12 tribes. This fact probably reflects the writer’s concern for the unity of God’s chosen people. The people recognized David as the suitable king because he had led Israel. Furthermore, God had anointed him to shepherd the people (his function) and to be prince over them (his office under Yahweh, 1 Chronicles 11:1-2). David’s elevation happened as God had announced through Samuel (1 Chronicles 11:3). God was leading the nation. These verses provide solid evidence that David, not Saul, was God’s preference as king of Israel.

David’s capture of Jerusalem was foundational to all the political and religious events that followed. The earliest reference to Jerusalem (Salem) that archaeologists have found so far occurs in the Ebla tablets that date from about 2400 B.C. [Note: See Eugene H. Merrill, "Ebla and Biblical Historical Inerrancy," Bibliotheca Sacra 140:550 (October-December 1983): 302-21; and Giovanni Pettinato, "The Royal Archives of Tell Mardikh-Ebla," Biblical Archaeologist 39 (May 1976):44-52.] Joab’s deed shows he was a mighty warrior. By fortifying Jerusalem, David established a secure base of operations at a politically neutral site between Israel and Judah. This led to his succeeding, though the real reason for his greatness was that the Lord of Armies was with him. God was with David because David was with God, as well as because God had chosen David as His vice-regent. Payne believed that David established a "constitutional" monarchy, which was unique in the ancient Near East. [Note: Payne, "First Chronicles," p. 377.]

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      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.

      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 (1 Chronicles 11:1; 1 Chronicles 11:1), his former good services, and especially the divine designation (1 Chronicles 11:2; 1 Chronicles 11:2), they anointed him their king: he covenanted to protect them, and they to bear faith and true allegiance to him, 1 Chronicles 11:3; 1 Chronicles 11:3. 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,1 Chronicles 11:7; 1 Chronicles 11:7. To this reference is had, Psalms 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."