Bible Commentaries

III. THE CROWNING OF DAVID AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIS KINGDOM

1. David at Hebron

CHAPTER 11

1. David crowned king (1 Chronicles 11:1-3)

2. Jerusalem becomes David’s capital (1 Chronicles 11:4-9)

3. The record of David’s mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:10-47)

From the second book of Samuel we learned that the crowning of David in Hebron occurred after the death of Ishbosheth (2 Sam. 5). The previous reign of David for seven and a half years and his failures are here omitted. We shall find that Chronicles does not record all the failures and sins of David and Solomon. The blessing and the grace of God toward the house of David are made prominent throughout. Acknowledged by all Israel as belonging to them, a great leader, Jehovah’s choice to feed His people Israel and to be their prince, all the elders came to Hebron before the Lord and anointed David king.

The conquest of Jerusalem (Jebus) followed. It was still in the hands of the Jebusites, but David took the stronghold of Zion. Joab distinguished himself and became chief. This is unmentioned in 2 Sam. 5. He built the city from Millo. Millo means “filling up” so that it may have been a big embankment which connected the city of David with the Temple mount. See 1 Kings 9:15 and 2 Chronicles 32:5.

The record of David’s mighty men are mentioned here in the beginning of his reign. In Second Samuel we read of them at the end (2 Samuel 23:8-39), preceding Solomon’s reign. When the true King begins His reign, typified by both David and Solomon, those who were loyal to the Lord and faithful to Him will be remembered. The first name mentioned is Jashobeam, a Hachmonite. In Samuel his name is given as Josheb-basshebeth, the Tachmonite. They were probably alternative names for the same person. Jashobeam means “the people shall return” and his other name in Samuel means “one who sits in a seat.” Hachmonite means translated “the wise.” According to Samuel he slew 800 and here in Chronicles he slew 300 at one time. Probably these are both correct; he slew 800 at one occasion and 300 at another. The second name is Eleazar (help of God) the son of Dodo (his beloved). His deed is more fully given in 2 Samuel 23:9. Shammah, the third one of the three mighties is omitted here (2 Samuel 23:11).

Bethlehem shows the deepest devotion to David from the three who broke through the line in response to David’s wish. It was not a command but only a desire expressed, yet they were ready to give their lives, for they were ambitious to please David. May we think here of Him who is greater than David. He, who sat on Sychar’s well said to the woman “give me to drink.” He longs for the refreshment from His own and we must be ambitious to please Him. It means to break through the hostile ranks of our enemies, as the three men did.

Abishai (father of gift) the younger brother of Joab and nephew of David slew 300 men. Benaiah’s deeds include the slaying of an Egyptian giant almost eight feet tall. In the list of the mighty men Uriah, the Hittite (verse 41) is included. He was a brave and devoted warrior which makes David’s deed so much more abhorrent (2 Sam. 11).