David’s Anointing as King

11 All Israel(A) came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.[a] Even previously when Saul was king, you were leading Israel out to battle and bringing us back. The Lord your God also said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be ruler over my people Israel.’”

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the Lord’s presence, and they anointed David king over Israel, in keeping with the Lord’s word through Samuel.(B)

David’s Capture of Jerusalem

David(C) and all Israel marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); the Jebusites who inhabited the land were there.(D) The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.

David said, “Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will become chief commander.” Joab(E) son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became the chief.

Then David took up residence in the stronghold; therefore, it was called the city of David. He built up the city all the way around, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding parts, and Joab restored the rest of the city. David steadily grew more powerful,(F) and the Lord of Armies was with him.

Exploits of David’s Warriors

10 The following were the chiefs of David’s warriors who, together with all Israel, strongly supported him in his reign to make him king according to the Lord’s word about Israel.(G) 11 This(H) is the list of David’s warriors:

Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief(I) of the Thirty;[b] he wielded his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.

12 After him, Eleazar son of Dodo(J) the Ahohite was one of the three warriors. 13 He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines had gathered there for battle. There was a portion of a field full of barley, where the troops had fled from the Philistines.(K) 14 But Eleazar and David[c] took their stand in the middle of the field and defended it. They killed the Philistines, and the Lord gave them a great victory.

15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam,(L) while the Philistine army was encamped in Rephaim Valley.(M) 16 At that time David was in the stronghold,(N) and a Philistine garrison(O) was at Bethlehem. 17 David was extremely thirsty[d] and said, “If only someone would bring me water to drink from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem. They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19 David said, “I would never do such a thing in the presence of my God! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” For they brought it at the risk of their lives. So he would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.

20 Abishai,(P) Joab’s brother, was the leader of the Three.[e] He raised his spear against three hundred men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. 21 He was more honored than the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.

22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada(Q) was the son of a brave man[f] from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab,[g] and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 23 He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall.[h] Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam,(R) Benaiah went down to him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear. 24 These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors. 25 He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

26 The best soldiers(S) were

Joab’s brother Asahel,(T)

Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

27 Shammoth the Harorite,

Helez the Pelonite,

28 Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

Abiezer the Anathothite,

29 Sibbecai the Hushathite,

Ilai the Ahohite,

30 Maharai the Netophathite,

Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,

31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites,

Benaiah the Pirathonite,

32 Hurai from the wadis of Gaash,

Abiel the Arbathite,

33 Azmaveth the Baharumite,

Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34 the sons of[i](U) Hashem the Gizonite,

Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

35 Ahiam son of Sachar the Hararite,

Eliphal son of Ur,

36 Hepher the Mecherathite,

Ahijah the Pelonite,

37 Hezro the Carmelite,

Naarai son of Ezbai,

38 Joel the brother of Nathan,

Mibhar son of Hagri,

39 Zelek the Ammonite,

Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer for Joab son of Zeruiah,

40 Ira the Ithrite,

Gareb the Ithrite,

41 Uriah the Hethite,

Zabad son of Ahlai,

42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,

43 Hanan son of Maacah,

Joshaphat the Mithnite,

44 Uzzia the Ashterathite,

Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

45 Jediael son of Shimri and his brother Joha the Tizite,

46 Eliel the Mahavite,

Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam,

Ithmah the Moabite,

47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Footnotes

  1. 11:1 Lit your bone and your flesh
  2. 11:11 Alt Hb tradition reads Three
  3. 11:14 Lit But they
  4. 11:17 Lit And David craved
  5. 11:20 Syr reads Thirty
  6. 11:22 Or was a valiant man
  7. 11:22 Or He killed two Moabite warriors
  8. 11:23 Lit who measured five cubits
  9. 11:34 LXX omits the sons of; 2Sm 23:32

David Anointed King over All Israel

11 (A)Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron [a]and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. Previously, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and Yahweh your God said to you, ‘(B)You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over My people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David cut a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; then (C)they anointed David king over Israel, (D)according to the word of Yahweh through Samuel.

David Captures Jerusalem

Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem ((E)that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. Then the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not come in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, that is, the city of David. And David said, “Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.” (F)Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. Then David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. And he [b]built the city all around, from the [c]Millo even to the surrounding area; and Joab [d]repaired the rest of the city. (G)And David became greater and greater, and Yahweh of hosts was with him.

David’s Mighty Men

10 (H)Now these are the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, (I)according to the word of Yahweh concerning Israel. 11 These constitute the list of the mighty men whom David had: (J)Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, (K)the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred [e]slain by him at one time.

12 And after him was Eleazar the son of (L)Dodo, the Ahohite, who was [f]one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David at [g]Pasdammim. (M)Now the Philistines had gathered together there to battle, and there was a portion of the field full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. 14 But they took their stand in the midst of that portion and delivered it, and struck down the Philistines. So Yahweh saved them by a great salvation.

15 Then three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, to the cave of Adullam, while (N)the camp of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim. 16 And David was then in the fortress, while (O)the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 17 Then David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 18 So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and carried it and brought it to David. Nevertheless, David was not willing to drink it, but poured it out to Yahweh; 19 and he said, “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went [h]at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he was not willing to drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

20 Now [i]Abshai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the [j]thirty. And he swung his spear against three hundred [k]who were slain by him; and he had a name as well as the [l]thirty. 21 Of the three in the second rank he was the most honored and became their commander; however, he did not attain to the first three.

22 (P)Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck down the [m]two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 23 He had also struck down an Egyptian, [n]an impressive man, [o]five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was (Q)a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and had a name as well as the three mighty men. 25 Behold, he was honored among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David appointed him over his guard.

26 Now the mighty men of the military forces were

Asahel the brother of Joab,
Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
27 [p]Shammoth the Harorite,
Helez the [q]Pelonite,
28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Abiezer the Anathothite,
29 [r]Sibbecai the Hushathite,
[s]Ilai the Ahohite,
30 Maharai the Netophathite,
[t]Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin,
Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32 [u]Hurai of the brooks of Gaash,
[v]Abiel the Arbathite,
33 Azmaveth the Baharumite,
Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34 the sons of [w]Hashem the Gizonite,
Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite,
35 Ahiam the son of [x]Sacar the Hararite,
[y]Eliphal the son of Ur,
36 Hepher the Mecherathite,
Ahijah the Pelonite,
37 Hezro the Carmelite,
[z]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.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:1 Lit saying
  2. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or fortified
  3. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Citadel
  4. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Lit revived
  5. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Lit slain ones
  6. 1 Chronicles 11:12 Lit among
  7. 1 Chronicles 11:13 In 1 Sam 17:1, Ephes-dammim
  8. 1 Chronicles 11:19 Lit with their souls
  9. 1 Chronicles 11:20 In 2 Sam 23:18, Abishai
  10. 1 Chronicles 11:20 So Syr; M.T. 3
  11. 1 Chronicles 11:20 Lit slain ones
  12. 1 Chronicles 11:20 So Syr; M.T. 3
  13. 1 Chronicles 11:22 Or two lion-like heroes of
  14. 1 Chronicles 11:23 Lit a man of appearance
  15. 1 Chronicles 11:23 Approx. 7.5 ft. or 2.3 m, a cubit was approx. 18 in. or 45 cm
  16. 1 Chronicles 11:27 In 2 Sam 23:25, Shammah the Harodite
  17. 1 Chronicles 11:27 In 2 Sam 23:26, Paltite
  18. 1 Chronicles 11:29 In 2 Sam 23:27, Mebunnai
  19. 1 Chronicles 11:29 In 2 Sam 23:28, Zalmon
  20. 1 Chronicles 11:30 In 2 Sam 23:29, Heleb
  21. 1 Chronicles 11:32 In 2 Sam 23:30, Hiddai
  22. 1 Chronicles 11:32 In 2 Sam 23:31, Abi-albon
  23. 1 Chronicles 11:34 In 2 Sam 23:32, Jashen
  24. 1 Chronicles 11:35 In 2 Sam 23:33, Sharar
  25. 1 Chronicles 11:35 In 2 Sam 23:34, Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai
  26. 1 Chronicles 11:37 In 2 Sam 23:35, Paarai the Arbite

David Becomes King Over Israel(A)

11 All Israel(B) came together to David at Hebron(C) and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.(D) And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd(E) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.(F)’”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed(G) David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem(H)

David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites(I) who lived there said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab(J) son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.

David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the terraces[a](K) to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. And David became more and more powerful,(L) because the Lord Almighty was with him.

David’s Mighty Warriors(M)

10 These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel,(N) gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised(O) 11 this is the list of David’s mighty warriors:(P)

Jashobeam,[b] a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers[c]; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

12 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors. 13 He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. 14 But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.(Q)

15 Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley(R) of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold,(S) and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured(T) it out to the Lord. 19 “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

20 Abishai(U) the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 21 He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel,(V) performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.(W) 23 And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits[d] tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod(X) in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. 25 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

26 The mighty warriors were:

Asahel(Y) the brother of Joab,

Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

27 Shammoth(Z) the Harorite,

Helez the Pelonite,

28 Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,

Abiezer(AA) from Anathoth,

29 Sibbekai(AB) the Hushathite,

Ilai the Ahohite,

30 Maharai the Netophathite,

Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,

31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,

Benaiah(AC) the Pirathonite,(AD)

32 Hurai from the ravines of Gaash,

Abiel the Arbathite,

33 Azmaveth the Baharumite,

Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite,

Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

35 Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite,

Eliphal son of Ur,

36 Hepher the Mekerathite,

Ahijah the Pelonite,

37 Hezro the Carmelite,

Naarai son of Ezbai,

38 Joel the brother of Nathan,

Mibhar son of Hagri,

39 Zelek the Ammonite,

Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

40 Ira the Ithrite,

Gareb the Ithrite,

41 Uriah(AE) the Hittite,

Zabad(AF) son of Ahlai,

42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who was chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him,

43 Hanan son of Maakah,

Joshaphat the Mithnite,

44 Uzzia the Ashterathite,(AG)

Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

45 Jediael son of Shimri,

his brother Joha the Tizite,

46 Eliel the Mahavite,

Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam,

Ithmah the Moabite,

47 Eliel, Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or the Millo
  2. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Possibly a variant of Jashob-Baal
  3. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Or Thirty; some Septuagint manuscripts Three (see also 2 Samuel 23:8)
  4. 1 Chronicles 11:23 That is, about 7 feet 6 inches or about 2.3 meters

Chapter 11

David Becomes King.[a] All of Israel gathered before David in Hebron and they said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. Moreover, in times past, even when Saul was the king, you led Israel out and brought them in. The Lord, your God, said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel. You will be the ruler of my people Israel.’ ” When all of the elders of Israel came to the king in Hebron, he made a covenant before the Lord with them at Hebron. They anointed David as king over Israel, fulfilling the word of the Lord that had been spoken by Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem. David and all of Israel went to Jerusalem, that is, Jebus. The Jebusites were the inhabitants of that land. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will never enter.” Nevertheless, David captured the citadel of Zion, that is, the City of David. David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will be the commander-in-chief.” Joab, the son of Zeruiah, led it so he became the commander.

David lived in the citadel, and thus it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from Millo to the surrounding walls. Joab repaired the rest of the city. David’s power grew and grew, for the Lord of hosts was with him.

10 David’s Brave Warriors. These were the leaders of David’s brave warriors. They made him and his kingdom strong, with all of Israel making him king, according to the word of the Lord about Israel. 11 [b]This is the list of David’s brave warriors: Ishbaal, a Hachmonite, was the leader of the captains. He raised up his spear against three hundred men at one time and he slew them.

12 After him there was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, who was one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. It was a field that was planted with barley, and the people fled before the Philistines. 14 They took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and slew the Philistines, for the Lord brought about a great deliverance.

15 Now three of the thirty captains came down to the cave of Adullam to be with David, while the army of the Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 David was in the stronghold, and there was a Philistine outpost in Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water so he said, “Oh that you would give me some water to drink from the well that is at the gate of Bethlehem.” 18 The Three broke through the lines of the Philistine army and drew water from the well at the gate to Bethlehem. They took it and brought it to David, but David would not drink it. He poured it out before the Lord. 19 He said, “Far be it from me, my God, that I should do such a thing, that I would drink the blood of these men, for they risked their lives to bring it back.” Therefore, he would not drink it.

These are the deeds of the Three brave warriors. 20 Abishai, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Three. He raised up his spear against three hundred men and he slew them. He was the most famous of the Three. 21 He was twice as honored as the Three, for he was their captain, even though he was not one of the Three.

22 Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was a brave warrior who performed many deeds. He was from Kabzeel. He slew two of Moab’s mightiest men. He also descended into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 23 He also slew a very tall Egyptian who was five cubits tall. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand that was as big as a weaver’s beam. He attacked him with his staff, and he snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and slew him with his own spear. 24 These were the deeds of Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada. He was as famous as the Three Brave Warriors. 25 He was more greatly honored than any of the Thirty,[c] but he did not belong to the Three. David assigned him to be in charge of his bodyguard.

26 The brave warriors were: Asahel, the brother of Joab; Elhanan, the son of Dodo from Bethlehem; 27 Shammoth the Harorite; Helez the Pelonite; 28 Ira, the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa; Abiezer from Anathoth; 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite; Ilai the Ahohite; 30 Maharai the Netophathite; Heled, the son of Baanah the Netophathite; 31 Ithai, the son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin; Benaiah the Pirathonite; 32 Hurai, from the Wadi 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, who was the leader of the Reubenites and the Thirty with him; 43 Hanan, the son of Maacah; Joshaphat the Mithnite; 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite; Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham the Aroerite; 45 Jediael, the son of Shimri; his brother Joha the Tizite; 46 Eliel the Mahavite; Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam; Ithmah the Moabite; 47 Eliel; Obed; and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:1 The difficulties attending the succession to Saul and the period in which the power of David was limited to the southern tribes (2 Sam 2–4) are deliberately passed over. The new king chosen by God is immediately presented as the sole head of the entire people of Israel (see 12:24f).
  2. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Three mighty men: the Chronicler in this case only mentions two men, Ishbaal and Eleazar. However, we know from 2 Sam 23:11 that Shammah was the third.
  3. 1 Chronicles 11:25 The Thirty: these would be David’s best military officers. The list of names in 2 Sam 23 differs somewhat from those given here.