Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 11:10
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.
10. These also ] R.V. Now these. This verse is the Chronicler’s own heading which he prefixes to the list of heroes taken from Sam., while retaining (in 1Ch 11:11) the original heading given in Sam.
who strengthened themselves with him ] Render with R.V. mg., who held strongly with him. Cp. 1Ch 12:23.
and with all Israel ] R.V. together with all Israel.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
10 41a (= 2Sa 23:8-39). David’s Mighty Men and their Deeds
(The names of twelve of these heroes reappear in chap. 27 as the commanders of David’s twelve “courses.”)
This section seems to consist of elements drawn from different sources and brought together (probably by the author of Samuel) in order to give as complete a list as possible of the heroes who at different times in David’s career did good service to Israel.
1Ch 11:11-14 (= 2Sa 23:8-12) deal with two (in Sam. three) heroes otherwise unknown.
1Ch 11:15-19 (= 2Sa 23:13-17) are independent of the foregoing and narrate an exploit of three unnamed heroes.
1Ch 11:20-25 (= 2Sa 23:18-23) seem in turn to be independent of 15 19, and 1Ch 11:21; 1Ch 11:25 in particular seem to be quoted from some lost poem. These verses contain the eulogy of Abishai and Benaiah.
1Ch 11:26-41 a (= 2Sa 23:24-39) contain thirty names of heroes whose exploits are not recorded. It is to be noted that Chron., 1Ch 11:41 b 47, adds some sixteen names at the end which are not given in Samuel.
Joab is not included in the formal list because he has been already mentioned (1Ch 11:6).
Lists of names are favourite features in Oriental Histories. Thus ibn Hishm in his life of Mohammed gives a list of the 83 Moslems who took refuge in Abyssinia from the persecution of the Koreish, of the 75 inhabitants of Medina who swore allegiance to the Prophet before the Hegira, and even of the 314 Moslems who were present at the battle of Bedr.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Strengthened themselves – Or exerted themselves – strenuously assisted with all Israel in making David king. This list of Davids principal heroes belongs, therefore, to his reign at Hebron. In Samuel the list is not given until nearly the end of Davids reign 2 Sam. 23:8-39.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom; who helped him with all their might to settle him in his kingdom.
With all Israel; in conjunction with all those loyal Israelites who joined with David; of whom see the next chapter.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10. These . . . are the chief of themighty men(See on 2Sa 23:8).They are here described as those who held strongly with him (Margin)to make him king, c. In these words the sacred historian assigns areason for introducing the list of their names, immediately after hisaccount of the election of David as king, and the conquest ofJerusalem namely, that they assisted in making David king. In theoriginal form of the list, and the connection in which it occurs inSamuel, there is no reference to the choice of a king; and even inthis passage it is only in the clause introduced into thesuperscription that such a reference occurs [KEIL].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[See comments on 1Ch 11:1]
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
A register of the heroes who stood by him in the establishment of his kingdom. The greater part of this register is found in 2 Sam 23:8-39 also, though there are many divergences in the names, which for the most part have found their way into one or other of the texts by errors of transcription. The conclusion (1Ch 11:41-47 of the Chronicle) is not found in 2 Sam 23, either because the author of the Chronicle followed another and older register than that used by the author of the book of Samuel, or because the latter has not communicated all the names contained in his authority. The former of these is the more probable supposition. In the Chronicle the superscription of the register is enlarged by the insertion in 1Ch 11:10, before the simple superscription in 1Ch 11:11, cf. 2Sa 23:8, of a further superscription informing us of the design which the chronicler had in introducing the register at this place. “These are the chiefs of David’s heroes who stood by him strongly ( , as Dan 10:21) in his kingdom, with the whole of Israel to make him king, according to the word of Jahve, over Israel.” The collocation is accounted for by the fact that is a designation of a valiant or heroic man in general, without reference to his position, whether co-ordinate with or subordinate to others. Among David’s who helped to establish his kingdom, are not merely those who are mentioned by name in the following register, but also, as we learn from 1 Chron 12, the great number of valiant men of all the tribes, who, even during his persecution by Saul, crowded round him, and immediately after Saul’s death came to him in Hebron to hail him king. The enumeration in our passage contains only the chiefs, , of those valiant men, i.e., those who held the first rank among them, and who were in great part leaders in the army of David, or became so. is not to be confined to the mere appointment to the kingship, but includes also his establishment in it; for there follows an account of the heroic deeds which the men enumerated by name performed in the wars which David waged against his enemies in order to maintain and increase his kingly power. .rewop concerning Israel is the word of the Lord, the import of which is recorded in 1Ch 11:3, that David should feed His people Israel, and be ruler over them. The ipsissima verba are not found in the earlier history of David, but the substance of them has been deduced from 1Sa 16:13 and 1Sa 15:28; cf. herewith the remarks on 2Sa 3:18. The enumeration of these heroes is introduced in 1Ch 11:11 by a short supplementary superscription, “these the number of the heroes.” That should be used instead of the of Samuel is surprising, but is explained by the fact that these heroes at first constituted a corps whose designation was derived from their number. They originally amounted to thirty, whence they are still called the thirty, ; cf. 1Ch 11:12, and the discussion on 2Sa 23:8. In both narratives three classes are distinguished.
Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah hold the first place, and specially bold and heroic deeds performed by them are recorded, 1Ch 11:11-14, and 2Sa 23:8-12. For details as to themselves and their deeds, see on the last cited passage. There we have already remarked, that in 1Ch 11:13 of the text of the Chronicle, the three lines which in Samuel come between (2Sa 23:9) and , 1Ch 11:11, have been, through wandering of the copyist’s eye, omitted; and with them the name of the third hero, , has also been dropped, so that the heroic deed done by him, 1Ch 11:13, 1Ch 11:14, appears, according to our present text, to have been performed by Eleazar. In place of the words, “And the Philistines had gathered themselves together there to battle, and there was a parcel of ground full of barley,” 1Ch 11:13, the text, according to the narrative in 2Sa 23:11, must have stood originally thus: “The Philistines had gathered themselves together there to battle, and the men of Israel went up (sc., retreating from the Philistines up the mountain); he, however, stood firm, and smote the Philistines till his hand was wearied, and cleaved unto the sword (i.e., clung crampedly to his sword through fatigue): there wrought Jahve a great deliverance on that day, and the people returned (from their flight) behind him only to spoil. And after him was Shammah the son of Aga the Hararite, and the Philistines had gathered themselves together to battle,” etc. In 1Ch 11:14 the plural forms , , , are incorrect, and should be changed into singulars, as in 2Sa 23:12, since only the deed of the hero Shammah is here spoken of. The plurals were probably introduced into the text after the missing lines had been dropped out by a reader or copyist, who, on account of the (1Ch 11:13), understood the three clauses of 1Ch 11:14 to refer to Eleazar and David. , on the contrary, is here perfectly appropriate, and is not to be altered to suit the of Samuel, 1Ch 11:14, for the of the lxx is not of itself a sufficient reason for doing so.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| David’s Mighty Men. | B. C. 1048. |
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, a 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 Bethlehem. 17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate! 18 And the three brake through the host 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 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 Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer 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.
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 Sam. xxiii. 8, c. This is much the same, only that those named here from <i>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,1Ch 11:18; 1Ch 11:19. 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 (1Ch 11:11; 1Ch 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, Josh. xxiii. 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, Deut. xxiii. 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.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
see note on: 2Sa 23:8
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
3. DAVIDS MIGHTY MEN (1Ch. 11:10-47)
TEXT
1Ch. 11:10. 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 Pas-dammim, 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 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 two sons of Ariel 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 Egyptians hand was a spear like a weavers beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptians 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 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 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.
PARAPHRASE
1Ch. 11:10 : These are the names of some of the bravest of Davids warriors (who also encouraged the leaders of Israel to make David their king, as the Lord had said would happen): 11. Jashobeam (the son of a man from Hachmon) was the leader of the Top Threethe three greatest heroes among Davids men. He once killed 300 men with his spear. 12. The second of The Top Three was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, a member of the subclan of Ahoh. 13. He was with David in the battle against the Philistines at Pasdammim. The Israeli army was in a barley field and had begun to run away, 14. but he held his ground in the middle of the field, and recovered it and slaughtered the Philistines; and the Lord saved them with a great victory.
15. Another time, three of The Thirty went to David while he was hiding in the cave of Adullam. The Philistines were camped in the Valley of Rephaim, 16. and David was in the stronghold at the time; an outpost of the Philistines had occupied Bethlehem. 17. David wanted a drink from the Bethlehem well beside the gate, and when he mentioned this to his men, 18, 19. these three broke through to the Philistine camp, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it! Instead he poured it out as an offering to the Lord and said, God forbid that I should drink it! It is the very blood of these men who risked their lives to get it.
20. Abishai, Joabs brother, was commander of The Thirty. He had gained his place among The Thirty by killing 300 men at one time with his spear. 21. He was the chief and the most famous of The Thirty, but he was not as great as The Three.
22. Benaiah, whose father was a mighty warrior from Kabzeel, killed the two famous giants from Moab. He also killed a lion in a slippery pit when there was snow on the ground. 23. Once he killed an Egyptian who was seven and one-half feet tall, whose spear was as thick as a weavers beam. But Benaiah went up to him with only a club in his hand and pulled the spear away from him and used it to kill him. 24, 25. He was nearly as great as The Three, and he was very famous among The Thirty. David made him captain of his bodyguard.
2647. Other famous warriors among Davids men were: Asahel (Joabs brother); Elhanan, the son of Dodo from Bethlehem; Shammoth from Harod; Helez from Pelon; Ira (son of Ikkesh) from Tekoa; Abi-ezer from Anathoth; Sibbecai from Hushath; Ilai from Ahoh; Maharai from Netophah; Heled (son of Baanah) from Netophah; Ithai (son of Ribai) a Benjaminite from Gibe-ah; Benaiah from Pirathon; Hurai from near the brooks of Gaash; Abiel from Arbath; Azmaveth from Baharum; Eliahba from Sha-albon; The sons of Hashem from Gizon; Jonathan (the son of Shagee) from Harar; Ahiam (son of Sacher) from Harar; Eliphal (son of Ur); Hepher from Mecherath; Ahijah from Pelon; Hezro from Carmel; Naarai (son of Ezbai); Joel (brother of Nathan); Mibhar (son of Hagri); Zelek from Ammon; Naharai from Be-erothhe was General Joabs armor bearer; Ira from Ithra; Gereb from Ithra; Uriah the Hittite; Zabad (son of Ahlai); Adina (son of Shiza) from the tribe of Reubenhe was among the thirty-one leaders of the tribe of Reuben; Hanan (son of Maacah); Joshaphat from Mithna; Uzzia from Ashterath; Shama and Je-iel (sons of Hotham) from Aroer; Jedia-el (son of Shimri); Joha (his brother) from Tiza; Eliel from Mahavi; Jeribai and Joshaviah (sons of Elnaam); Ithmah from Moab; Eliel; Obed; Ja-asiel from Mezoba.
COMMENTARY
Having introduced us to David, the chronicler now turns to a roll call of some of the warriors who were associated with the king. When David first fled from Saul (I Samuel, chapter 21); he had just a few men with him. Not long after this in the wilderness of Judah he was the leader of a band of four hundred men. Later, as he lived near the Philistine country in Ziklag, he numbered six hundred warriors in his bands as they engaged in guerilla warfare. Very early David demonstrated his ability as a leader of men. These men who first associated themselves with David were outlaws, debtors, slaves, distressed, discontented (1Sa. 22:2). David won their confidence. To them he was their champion, their pattern of excellence. He welded these men into a fighting force that terrorized every enemy. They became the nucleus of a mighty army which under David conquered Moab, Edom, Philistia, Ammon, Zobah, and Syria. When David received the control of the government upon Sauls death, Israels territory could be contained in about six thousand square miles. When David died Israel controlled sixty thousand square miles. This territory extended from the Mediterranean Sea on the west to the Euphrates river on the north and east. Some of the men who assisted in this expansion and who held responsible positions under David are named here.
Joab must be listed among the officers of the first rank. He is mentioned in 1Sa. 26:6 as the brother of Abishai. Davids sister, Zeruiah, was the mother of three sonsJoab, Abishai, and Asahel. So these three men were nephews to David. It is likely that Joab was with David when he was running from Saul. He certainly took a prominent part in the conflict against Abner and Ishbosheth. Early in this struggle Abner killed Asahel. Joab, under the compulsion of the blood feud, waited for his opportunity. One day when Abner had come to Hebron to transfer the allegiance of the northern tribes to David, Joab caught Abner near the city gate at Hebron and there he killed Abner (2Sa. 3:27). Joab led in the conquest of the Syrians (2Sa. 10:13) and of the Ammonites (2Sa. 11:1). He also led in the conquest of the Edomites (1Ki. 11:25). David became involved with Bathsheba. Uriah, the Hittite, another mighty warrior for David, had to be removed. Joab was the general who was ordered by his commander-in-chief to put Uriah at the front of the battle (2Sa. 11:14). When Absalom rebelled against David, Joab was still in charge of Davids army. Joab personally killed Absalom as he hung by his hair from a tree. After Absalom had been killed in the battle by Joab, David reacted by appointing Amasa, who had been Absaloms captain, as military leader in Joabs place. When Sheba rebelled and Amasa could not command the respect of Davids soldiers, Joab cruelly murdered Amasa and silenced the revolt. Near the conclusion of Davids reign Adonijah tried to take the throne. Joab cast his lot with this son of David, knowing that Solomon had already been designated to be king. Before David died he told Solomon not to let Joab die a natural death. After Davids death, Benaiah, Solomons chief executioner, killed Joab (1Ki. 2:34). Joab lived a long and turbulent life. He was one of the most important leaders in the establishment of Davids empire.
Some separate incidents involving Davids warriors are recorded here in this history. Jashobeam killed three hundred on one occasion by using his spear. A reference in 2Sa. 23:8 probably concerns the same warrior. There he is said to have slain eight hundred at one time. It is possible that these are references to different occasions. Eleazar led in an engagement against the Philistines in a barley field. The main Israelite army retreated. David and his three mighty men held their positions and repulsed the enemy. Jashobeam and Eleazar are two of the renowned warriors. Shammah (2Sa. 23:11-33) most likely was the third. Pas-dammim may be translated boundary of blood. Other bloody skirmishes had been fought there. The village was about fourteen miles southwest of Jerusalem. The account in 2Sa. 23:11-12 speaks of a field of lentils. The Hebrew words for barley and lentils are quite similar. Kennicott suggests that one word is spelled incorrectly by accident. Barley was an important cereal grain, but not as valuable as wheat. Lentils was a kind of bean widely used for soup. It is possible that barley and lentils were being grown in plots that joined each other. In this conflict the credit for the victory is Jehovahs.
Often in the record thirty chief men are referred to in relation to Davids warriors. The three to whom reference is made here may have been Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah. The three were with David at the cave of Adullam. The region of Adullam was known as early as the days of Juhad, Jacobs son (Gen. 38:1; Gen. 38:12; Gen. 38:20). One of the kings of Canaan located his government in this place (Jos. 12:15; Jos. 15:35). It was situated in Judah. There is some question as to its exact location. One suggestion is that it was in the foothills near Gaza. Another possibility would fix the site between Bethlehem and the Dead Sea (Dr. Thomson-The Land and the Book). At the time of the incident recorded in 1Ch. 11:15-19 the Philistine army was in the Valley of Rephaim. This valley lay just southwest of Jerusalem. Considering the risks involved in obtaining water from Bethlehem, Adullam was most likely situated in the area between the Valley of Rephaim and the Mediterranean. Davids men dared to stir up the whole Philistine army in order to satisfy Davids desire for a drink of water from the old home well at Bethlehem. Davids men brake through the host of the Philistines. This most likely involved face to face encounter with the enemy. David recognized that courage beyond the line of duty had been required in order for his men to procure the precious water. Motivated by a basic principle which he stated on another occasion (2Sa. 24:24) when he said he would not offer to his God that which had not cost him something, he poured out the thirst-quenching water as an offering (a libation) to Jehovah. His soldiers surely respected him for this act of self-denial and worship.
Davids nephew, Abishai, was renowned for his bravery. When David was running from Saul (1Sa. 26:6-7) in the wilderness of Ziph, Abishai went with David to take away Sauls spear and water bag. In these later days he distinguished himself among Davids warriors. In this one engagement (1Ch. 11:20) he was responsible for the slaughter of three hundred of the enemy. We do not know the names of the other two over whom he was chief.
Benaiah was of the tribe of Levi and he was always faithful in all assignments given him by David and Solomon. In Davids government Joab was the captain of the host (2Sa. 8:16; 2Sa. 8:18), while Benaiah had charge of the Cherethites and Pelethites. These people were Davids select bodyguards. The Cherethites lived south of Philistia. The Pelethites are usually identified with the Philistines. Davids bodyguards were recruited largely from these people and through many crises remained loyal to the king. Benaiahs responsibility to David was great. In Davids later years Benaiah grew in Davids favor. When Adonijah rebelled (1Ki. 1:7) and Joab went with him, Joab signed his own death warrant. In the charge given by David to Solomon (1Ki. 2:5-6), Joab was not to be allowed to die naturally. In Solomons early reign Benaiah was charged (1Ki. 2:34) as executioner to put Joab to death. Having done this, Benaiah became captain of the host. In his day Benaiah fought many and varied kinds of enemies. We learn here that he slew two Moabites. He killed an Egyptian giant. The giant must have been more than seven feet tall. The shaft of the giants spear was like a weavers beam. This is a reference to a part of a great loom upon which the threads of the weaving would be attached. An ordinary mans hand could not grasp such a handle. Benaiah skillfully disarmed the Egyptian and turned the giants weapon upon the giant himself. In his own time David had used Goliaths sword to sever the giants head after he felled him with a stone. On another occasion Benaiah matched his strength against the fury of a lion. Benaiahs memoirs surely would have contained many other accounts of remarkable courage.
1Ch. 11:26-47 list other men who served with honor in Davids army. A comparable list is recorded in 2Sa. 23:24-39. The number thirty (30) seemed to have a special meaning as it related to these warriors. No doubt, only those who demonstrated heroic bravery attained to this elite group. Sometimes thirty seven (37) were numbered among them (2Sa. 23:39). On occasion as many as forty eight (48) were named as belonging to this honored band (1Ch. 11:26-47). Asahel had died at the hands of Abner (2Sa. 2:23). These great warriors represented various districts throughout Palestine. Elhanan came from Bethlehem. Shammoth the Harorite most likely came from Harod near the sea of Chinnereth. Ira represented Tekoa in Judah. Abiezer was from the village of Anathoth, a priestly town in Benjamin near Jerusalem. Zelek was of Ammonite descent and Uriah was from among the Hittites. The tribe of Reuben was represented by Adina. Haharai is identified as Joabs armor-bearer. Uriah the Hittite was Bathshebas husband who carried his own death warrant to Joab. This entire record leaves us with many unanswered questions as to the complete identity and pedigree of each of these men. Their loyalty to the king and to the cause of Israel is well demonstrated in Uriahs obedience to his commanders and his comradeship with his fellow soldiers. Every one of them was willing to die for the king and for the people of Israel.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(10) These also are the chief of the mighty men.Rather, And these were the heads of the warriors (i.e., the chief warriors, other warriors of lower rank being enumerated in 1 Chronicles 12) who showed themselves strong in his support (with him, Dan. 10:21; Psa. 12:4), in the matter of his kingdom, in common with all Israel, in order to make him king (and maintain him as such: comp. their exploits, noticed below). This description of the heroes is not given in Samuel, the connection there being different.
According to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.Comp. Note on 1Ch. 11:3. David was made king (1) for his own sake. It was work for which he was best fitted, and a reward of his faithfulness. (2) For Israels sake: So he led them with a faithful and true heart (Psa. 78:70-72).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(10-44) X list of the warriors who helped David to win and maintain his kingdom. This catalogue answers to that of 2Sa. 23:8-39, which, however, breaks off with Uriah the Hittite; whereas our text communicates sixteen additional names. This fact proves that the chronicler had either a fuller source, or a different recension of Samuel. The numerous variant spellings are in general mistakes of transcription.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
David’s Mighty Men and their Deeds
v. 10. These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, v. 11. And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had, v. 12. And after him was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties. v. 13. He was with David at Pas-dammim v. 14. And they, v. 15. Now, three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, v. 16. And David was then in the hold, v. 17. And David longed, v. 18. And the three, v. 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. v. 20. And Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three, v. 21. of the three he was more honorable than the two, v. 22. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, v. 23. And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high v. 24. These things did Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties, v. 25. Behold, he was honorable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three; and David set him over his guard, v. 26. Also the valiant men of the armies, v. 27. Shammoth v. 28. Ira, the son of Ikkesh, the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,
v. 29. Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai v. 30. Maharai the Netophathite, Heled v. 31. Ithai, the son of Ribai, of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, v. 32. Hurai v. 33. Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
v. 34. the sons of Hashem v. 35. Ahiam, the son of Sacar v. 36. Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
v. 37. Hezro v. 38. Joel, the brother of Nathan, Mibhar, the son of Haggeri v. 39. Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab, the son of Zeruiah,
v. 40. Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
v. 41. Uriah the Hittite, Zabad, the son of Ahlai,
v. 42. Adina, the son of Shiza, the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
v. 43. Hanan, the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
v. 44. Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel, the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
v. 45. Jediael, the son of Shimri v. 46. Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
v. 47. Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
If the Reader consults 2Sa 23 , he will find the names of those worthies already registered. Their being again preserved in the record of the Chronicles, serves to show that they were highly esteemed. But Reader! think how infinitely higher the honour is, for the worthies of Jesus in his army of Apostles, and Prophets, and Martyrs, to have their name recorded in the book of life?
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 11:10 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.
Ver. 10. These also are the chief of the mighties. ] The same catalogue of David’s worthies we have in 2Sa 23:1-39 , but here with a more ample inscription. Christ hath his heroes also, who in their several generations have done “worthily in Ephrata,” and been “famous in Bethlehem.” And if their names be not all registered on earth, yet they are “written in heaven,” and shall one day be renowned in that great amphitheatre. Heb 12:22-23
Who strengthened themselves with him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the mighty men. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14. Introduced here, at beginning of reign, instead of end of it (2Sa 23:8-39). Both positions full of instruction: Samuel, chronological; Chronicles, moral (according to the word of the LORD). See App-56.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Ch 11:10-19
1Ch 11:10-19
CONCERNING THE NAMES AND EXPLOITS OF DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN
“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. 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. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. 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. And they stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it; and slew the Philistines; and Jehovah saved them by a great victory.
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. And David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto Jehovah, 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.”
E.M. Zerr:
1Ch 11:10-11. All men were not counted great for the same reason. Later on Solomon will be given an important commission from God because of his success against his military foes. There is no contradiction in the situation. The times of David required the activities recorded of him, for there were many mighty forces that had to be subdued to make ready for the peaceful reign of Solomon. The success of David in his many conflicts was due largely to his wisdom in selecting the proper men for his service. In this and several verses to follow, the statements of greatness of his men will be verified by specific citation of their deeds. In the present paragraph the man slew 300 with a heavy weapon called a spear. It was an instrument composed of a long shaft with a head of hard metal, and was hurled by hand against the foe.
1Ch 11:12 – No explanation is given in the Bible why David’s great men were grouped in threes- It is easy to see some advantages in the arrangement, however. These men were expected to meet the foes of the kingdom as well as David’s personal enemies. A trio of good men would be more successful because of mutual encouragement- It would be also an advantage in case of casualties, so that the survivor could care for the fallen comrade. Of course, David would not put three of the best in one group and then form some other group all of the inferior kind. He associated one of the best with others in forming the groups- But if some special occasion required only one man’s services, he would select one from some of these trios.
1Ch 11:13-14 – Barley was a valued food and the Philistines planned to take this field- They had frightened the Israelites from it when David, aided by one of his mighty men, beat off the Philistines and saved the food.
1Ch 11:15 – Three of the thirty. This is rendered “three captains over the thirty” in the margin, and Moffatt’s translation gives practically the same wording- Adullam was a city in Judah that is referred to in a number of places in the Bible. According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, there were limestone cliffs in that locality which were pierced with extensive excavations, one of which was the “cave of Adullam” in the time of David. The valley of Rephaim was in the same general vicinity as the cave, and the Philistines brought their army there to oppose David.
1Ch 11:16. The Philistines had a general mass of soldiers in the valley, but their garrison, which means a fortified post, was at Bethlehem which also was in the vicinity of the valleyDavid, in the meantime, was hiding in the hold, which means the cave of Adullam which was of such a character that it provided a stronghold for safety.
1Ch 11:17. This event about the water is a sidelight on the main subject, the bravery and might of David’s chief men. Whether he really intended to drink the water we are not told. The point is to give an instance of the achievements of the great men in his service. But in order to give an intelligent view of the occasion it was necessary to relate the request of David and his activities afterward. The well was in the very shadow of the garrison of the Philistines, and it would be necessary to face them in obtaining the water. We may reasonably conclude, therefore, that David’s expressed wish was to test the courage of his men.
1Ch 11:18. Drawing water from a well in those days was not as simple a matter as might be the case today. It was done chiefly by the use of an earthen pitcher and rope and would be a very visible performance- This would make it a dangerous occasion.
1Ch 11:19 – Drink the blood is figurative, and refers to the risk of being slain, that the men took when they got the water. These things did these three mightiest. This expression gives the main object the writer had in telling about the water.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
am 2949-2989, bc 1055-1015, An, Ex, Is, 436-476
the chief: The valiant men who assisted David in his advancement, and helped to establish him in his authority, were those, in all likelihood, that had accompanied him during his persecution by Saul. 2Sa 23:8
strengthened themselves with: or, held strongly with
to make: 1Ch 12:38, 2Sa 3:17, 2Sa 3:18, 2Sa 3:21
according: 1Sa 16:1, 1Sa 16:12-14
Reciprocal: 1Ki 1:8 – the mighty 1Ch 12:1 – the mighty 1Ch 12:21 – mighty men 1Ch 12:23 – according 1Ch 19:8 – Joab 1Ch 28:1 – the mighty men 2Ch 17:1 – Jehoshaphat Neh 2:18 – So they strengthened
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 11:10. The chief of the mighty men Who helped with all their might to settle him in his kingdom. With all Israel In conjunction with all those loyal Israelites who joined with David. Yet David ascribed his success, 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
C. David’s Mighty Men 11:10-12:40
This list of great warriors reflects the greatness of David. People know something about a man or woman by the company he or she keeps. The writer identified three groups: the chiefs among David’s mighty men (1Ch 11:10-25), the mighty men in David’s army (1Ch 11:26-47), and the mighty men who joined David at Ziklag (ch. 12).
There are several discrepancies between the numbers in Chronicles and those in parallel passages in Samuel, Kings, and elsewhere. A case in point is 1Ch 11:11 where 2Sa 23:8 has 800. The number in Samuel is apparently the correct one in this case, and the difference was evidently due to a scribal error in copying. [Note: For an explanation of each such difference and other problems involving numbers in Chronicles, see the note in The New Scofield Reference Bible, pp. 472-73; and J. Barton Payne, "The Validity of the Numbers in Chronicles," Bibliotheca Sacra 136:542 and 543 (April-June and July-September 1979):109-28, 206-20. See also Appendix 2: "Numbers in Chronicles That Disagree With Their Old Testament Parallels" from Payne, "1, 2 Chronicles," at the end of these notes.]
David was a leader who had won the confidence and support of the strongest men in Israel as well as Judah. The episode in 1Ch 11:15-19 shows why men such as these pledged their loyalty to David. He showed unusual sensitivity to the dangers his men faced.
Chapter 12 has no parallel in Samuel. Its unique emphases are these. Men from Israel as well as Judah followed David, and there was a very large number of them (1Ch 11:22). David also had many other supporters (1Ch 11:39-40). Even Saul’s relatives followed him (1Ch 11:2; 1Ch 11:16; 1Ch 11:29). [Note: See Benjamin Mazar, "The Military Elite of King David," Vetus Testamentum 13 (1963):310-20.] God sanctioned the plan of these men to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him (1Ch 11:23).
Popular enthusiasm for David was overwhelming (1Ch 11:38; cf. 1Ch 11:18). The writer named all the tribes, proving broad-based support (1Ch 11:24-37). This emphasis is much stronger in Chronicles than it is in Samuel.
Chapters 11 and 12 give evidence of what God told David later in 1Ch 17:8, namely, "I have been with you wherever you have gone." They also provide hope that God would do for David what He promised in 1Ch 17:10, namely, "I will subdue all your enemies."