1 Chronicles 11 Explained - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Chronicles 11 Short Summary:

1 Chronicles 11 tells the story of David becoming in Hebron after the death of Saul. David then conquered the city of Jebus (Jerusalem) from the Jebusites and made it his capital. The second part of the chapter records the names of David’s mighty men. These were David’s elite warriors, consisting of 3 ultra-elite warriors, and 30 elite warriors.

What is 1 Chronicles 11 About?

WHEN:

• The Book of 1 Chronicles was written several hundred years after King David’s reign.  

• David became king of Judah in approximately 1055 B.C, the year Saul died.  David’s reign spanned approximately 40 years (1055-1015 B.C.).

CHARACTERS:

• Saul – The first king of Israel. He was chosen by God and anointed by Samuel the prophet.

• Joab – He became commander of David’s army after the battle of Jebus.  

• David’s Mighty Men – These were David’s elite warriors.

WHERE:

• David was anointed king in Hebron.

• Later, David conquered Jebus (Jerusalem) and made it his capital.

OUTLINE:

• DAVID IS MADE KING (11:1-3):

  • After Saul’s death, the people of Israel appointed David as their king.

  • David’s ascension to the throne was the will of God. In fact, God’s prophet, Samuel, had anointed David king more than a decade before he took the crown.   

• DAVID CONQUERS JERUSALEM (11:4-9):

  • David conquered the city of Jebus (Jerusalem) from the Jebusites.

  • Joab took the lead in the battle and was made David’s commander.

  • David lived in the city and built it up. It eventually became known as the city of David.

  • God blessed David’s reign, and Israel grew stronger and stronger under his leadership.

• DAVID’S MIGHTY WARRIORS (11:10-47):

  • The remainder of 1 Chronicles 11 is a record of David’s mighty men.

  • His warriors were classified into two groups, 3 ultra-elite soldiers and 30 elite soldiers.

  • The group of 3 included Jashobeam (Josheb-basshebeth, 2 Sam 23:8), Eleazar son of Dodo, and Shammah son of Agee (2 Sam 23:11). Each man, with God’s help, accomplished incredible single-handed victories against David’s enemies.

  • Several of the exploits of the 30 are also listed.

  • 3 of the 30 broke through a camp of the Philistines to bring David water from the well at Bethlehem.

  • Abishai, brother of Joab, killed 300 Philistines with a spear. He was “the most renowned of the thirty.”

  • Benaiah, a valiant man, killed 2 mighty men of Moab, an Egyptian, and a lion in a pit. Benaiah oversaw David’s bodyguard.

  • Asahel, Joab’s brother who was killed by Abner, was also counted among the 30.

  • Uriah the Hittite, husband of Bathsheba, is also listed.

  • Verses 24-39 contain the names of the rest of David’s mighty men.

APPLICATION:

• Its interesting to me that a number of brothers are listed within David’s mighty men.

• Joab was the commander of David’s army, and his two brothers (Abashai and Asahel) were counted among the 30.

• There is probably a lesson here about the strength and importance of brotherhood, both physical and spiritual.

• Having brave and honorable companions around you will encourage you to bravery and virtue.

• No doubt, these men inspired one another to accomplish great things.

• This type of comradery is desperately needed in the Church. If we’re going to win battles on the spiritual battlefield, we need brothers who fight along side us, inspire us, and continually challenge us to rise to a higher level.

• If you surround yourself with apathetic spiritual brothers, you’ll become one of them. If you surround yourself with courageous spiritual brothers, you’ll become one of them.