1 Chronicles 11
Israel declares David king
David, new king of Israel
2 Samuel 5:1-3 1Israel’s tribal leaders came to see David in Hebron. They told him, “Listen, we’re family. 2When Saul was our king, you were the one who led us into battle. The LORD picked you as the next king to shepherd his people—the people of Israel. He said you would be our ruler.”
3David and the leaders agreed that he would become king over all the tribes of Israel. So, they anointed him king. David conquers Jerusalem
2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 14:1-17 4King David and his men marched north to Jerusalem, known then as the town of Jebus. They intended to take the city from Jebusite people who lived there. 5Jebusites were so confident of their defenses that they yelled down to David, “Hey, you can’t get in here.” David took the walled city anyhow. People sometimes call the city Zion. [1] But it’s now known as the City of David. [2]The name stuck.
6David told his men, “The first one to attack these people from inside the city will get to command my army.” Joab [3] the son of Zeruiah got the job.
7David moved into the walled town and named it City of David. 8He fortified the position even more, from Millo [4] tower on the perimeter and then toward the center of the city. 9David became a stronger and more respected leader because the LORD of everyone was on his side.
David’s top three warriors
2 Samuel 23:8-17 10Here are the names of the warriors who fought for David. They joined all the people of Israel in declaring David king, just as the LORD intended.
11Ishbosheth, [5] led an elite unit simply called The Three. In a single battle, he killed 300 men with his spear. [6] He was the son of Hachmon. [7]
12Eleazar was number two of The Three. He was the son of Dodo and a descendant of Ahohi. 13He stood with David and fought the Philistines in a field full of barley, even after the rest of the Israelite soldiers ran away. 14He stood with David in the middle of that field, and he killed Philistines. The LORD gave them an incredible victory that day.
Elite warriors: The Three and The Thirty
15During harvesttime one year, The Three joined forces with David, who had camped in a defensive position at the Cave of Adullam. [8] Philistines took a position in the Valley of Rephaim. [9] 16David was staying in his defensive position when a detachment of Philistines advanced into Bethlehem and occupied the town.
17In passing, David said, “What I wouldn’t give for a drink of water from that wonderful well at Bethlehem’s city gate.”
18The Three elite warriors made it past the Philistine guards at Bethlehem. Then they drew water from the well and took it back to David. He wouldn’t drink it. He poured it on the ground as an offering of thanks to the LORD for men this devoted to him.
19He told the men, “As God is my witness, I would never have put your lives at risk for something like this.” So he didn’t drink the water. But The Three often showed this kind of extreme devotion to David. Roll call: The Thirty
2 Samuel 23:18-39 20Abishai led The Thirty warriors. He was Joab’s brother and the son of Zeruiah. He became as famous as The Three after he killed 300 men with his spear. 21He was the most famous of The Thirty, and their commander. But he didn’t make the cut for The Three.
22Benaiah was a brave soldier, too. He was the son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel. [10] He did some great things. He killed the two lions of Moab, champion warriors. [11] And on a snowy day, he went into a lion’s pit and killed an actual lion. 23One time, Benaiah killed an Egyptian man 7 ½ feet tall. [12] Benaiah had nothing but a walking stick. The Egyptian had a spear. But Benaiah grabbed it and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. 24That’s some of the things Benaiah did to become as famous as The Three. But he never made the cut to join the squad. 25He was one of the most famous warriors among The Thirty, but he didn’t make the elite team of The Three. However, David put him in charge of his royal bodyguards.
26These are the rest of The Thirty: [13]
Asahel, Joab’s brother
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem
27Shammah of Harod
Helez from Pelon
28Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Abiezer from Anathoth
29Sibbecai from Hushah
Ilai from Ahoah
30Maharai from Netophah
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah
31Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah, in Benjamin’s tribe
Benaiah from Pirathon
32Hurai from the streams on Mount Gaash
Abi-albon from Arabah
33Azmaveth from Bahurim
Eliahba from Shaalbon
34Jashen’s sons from Gizon
Jonathan, son of Shagee from Harar
35Ahiam the son of Sharar the Harar
Eliphal son of Ur
36Hepher from Mekerah
Ahijah from Pelon
37Hezro from Carmel
Paarai son of Ezbai
38Joel, brother of Nathan
Mibhar son of Hagri 39Zelek from Ammon
Naharai from Beeroth, who carried weapons for David’s commander, Joab the son of Zeruiah
40Ira the Ithrite
Gareb the Ithrite
41Uriah the Hittite [14]
Zabad son of Ahlai
42Adina son of Shiza, from Reuben’s time. He led 30 men of his own.
43Hanan son of Maacah
Joshaphat from Mithna
44Uzzia from Ashtaroth
Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham. They came from the town of Aroer.
45Jediael son of Shimri
Joha, his brother, from Tiz
46Eliel from Mahavah
Jeribai and Joshaviah, sons of Elnaam
Ithmah from Moab
47 Eliel and Obed
Jaasiel from Mezobah. 
Footnotes
111:5“Zion” is a term of endearment, and another name for Jerusalem. It’s a bit like “The Big Apple” for New York City, “The City of Love” for Paris, and “Sin City” for Las Vegas, though some wouldn’t call that a term of endearment.
211:5The City of David was the original part of town before Solomon expanded up the hill to add the Temple and palace complexes.
311:6David was Joab’s uncle. Joab’s mother was Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:15-16).
411:8What “Millo” means is a mystery. One theory is that it refers to a terraced part of the ridge with a stairstep citadel. Archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon found in the oldest part of Jerusalem a Stepped Stone Structure, as it’s called. It’s dated to the time of David and his son Solomon, about 1000-900 BC. Some say the structure was the foundation for a royal palace that endured for six centuries—until Babylonian invaders from what is now Iraq leveled Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC.
511:11Literally, the name in Hebrew is an odd one: Joshebbasshebeth. The first Jewish Bible translated into Greek, the international language in Jesus’s day, translated the name as Ishbosheth. The Hebrew name may have been the original form of “Ishbosheth,” which served as a shortened nickname. But that’s uncertain.
611:11This is one common guess about how to translate a sentence that doesn’t seem to make much sense. A more realistic guess would be that he and the men under his command destroyed what amounted to about a battalion of men. But the body count is lower in another version of this story: 300 killed (2 Samuel 23:8).
711:11The Hachmon extended family clan was known as Hacmonites.
811:15Adullam was roughly 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Jerusalem. But some scholars say the Cave of Adullam wasn’t at Adullam. They identify it as a rock fortification at a village called el-Khadr, close to David’s hometown of Bethlehem.
911:15Rephaim Valley descends southwest of Jerusalem, toward the Mediterranean coast in the west and to an ancient trail between the coast and the Judean Hills. See also 2 Samuel 5:18.
1011:22Kabzeel was a town in the southern boonies of Judah, near the border with the nation of Edom, also known as Idumaea.
1111:22The Hebrew word is Ariel, which some Bibles translate as a person’s name. But the word means champion warrior, best of the best.
1211:23Two meters, or five cubits in Old Testament measurement. A cubit was the length of a man’s elbow to the tip of his extended fingers.
1311:26This list of The Thirty does not match the list in 2 Samuel 23. There are about 37 warriors on Samuel’s list (verse 39) and at least 47 warriors on this list in Chronicles. Some names from Samuel’s list are missing. But there are many extra names in Chronicles as well. Scholars guess that the two lists reflect different moments in history. Some warriors may have died in battle. Others took their place. This second list of warriors in Chronicles may have covered a long stretch of time and may have preserved names of some men who fought and died, followed by names of their replacements.
1411:41Likely the doomed husband of Bathsheba, whom David ordered on a suicide mission. David was trying to hide his adultery with Bathsheba and getting her pregnant. Cue the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1).
Discussion Questions
- Sorry, there are currently no questions for this chapter.
Maps/Guides
David takes Jerusalem
Map of Jerusalem 3D styleVideos
3David and the leaders agreed that he would become king over all the tribes of Israel. So, they anointed him king.
David conquers Jerusalem
2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 14:1-17 4King David and his men marched north to Jerusalem, known then as the town of Jebus. They intended to take the city from Jebusite people who lived there. 5Jebusites were so confident of their defenses that they yelled down to David, “Hey, you can’t get in here.” David took the walled city anyhow. People sometimes call the city Zion. [1] But it’s now known as the City of David. [2]The name stuck.
6David told his men, “The first one to attack these people from inside the city will get to command my army.” Joab [3] the son of Zeruiah got the job.
7David moved into the walled town and named it City of David. 8He fortified the position even more, from Millo [4] tower on the perimeter and then toward the center of the city. 9David became a stronger and more respected leader because the LORD of everyone was on his side.
David’s top three warriors
2 Samuel 23:8-17 10Here are the names of the warriors who fought for David. They joined all the people of Israel in declaring David king, just as the LORD intended.
11Ishbosheth, [5] led an elite unit simply called The Three. In a single battle, he killed 300 men with his spear. [6] He was the son of Hachmon. [7]
12Eleazar was number two of The Three. He was the son of Dodo and a descendant of Ahohi. 13He stood with David and fought the Philistines in a field full of barley, even after the rest of the Israelite soldiers ran away. 14He stood with David in the middle of that field, and he killed Philistines. The LORD gave them an incredible victory that day.
Elite warriors: The Three and The Thirty
15During harvesttime one year, The Three joined forces with David, who had camped in a defensive position at the Cave of Adullam. [8] Philistines took a position in the Valley of Rephaim. [9] 16David was staying in his defensive position when a detachment of Philistines advanced into Bethlehem and occupied the town.
17In passing, David said, “What I wouldn’t give for a drink of water from that wonderful well at Bethlehem’s city gate.”
18The Three elite warriors made it past the Philistine guards at Bethlehem. Then they drew water from the well and took it back to David. He wouldn’t drink it. He poured it on the ground as an offering of thanks to the LORD for men this devoted to him.
19He told the men, “As God is my witness, I would never have put your lives at risk for something like this.” So he didn’t drink the water. But The Three often showed this kind of extreme devotion to David. Roll call: The Thirty
2 Samuel 23:18-39 20Abishai led The Thirty warriors. He was Joab’s brother and the son of Zeruiah. He became as famous as The Three after he killed 300 men with his spear. 21He was the most famous of The Thirty, and their commander. But he didn’t make the cut for The Three.
22Benaiah was a brave soldier, too. He was the son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel. [10] He did some great things. He killed the two lions of Moab, champion warriors. [11] And on a snowy day, he went into a lion’s pit and killed an actual lion. 23One time, Benaiah killed an Egyptian man 7 ½ feet tall. [12] Benaiah had nothing but a walking stick. The Egyptian had a spear. But Benaiah grabbed it and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. 24That’s some of the things Benaiah did to become as famous as The Three. But he never made the cut to join the squad. 25He was one of the most famous warriors among The Thirty, but he didn’t make the elite team of The Three. However, David put him in charge of his royal bodyguards.
26These are the rest of The Thirty: [13]
Asahel, Joab’s brother
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem
27Shammah of Harod
Helez from Pelon
28Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Abiezer from Anathoth
29Sibbecai from Hushah
Ilai from Ahoah
30Maharai from Netophah
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah
31Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah, in Benjamin’s tribe
Benaiah from Pirathon
32Hurai from the streams on Mount Gaash
Abi-albon from Arabah
33Azmaveth from Bahurim
Eliahba from Shaalbon
34Jashen’s sons from Gizon
Jonathan, son of Shagee from Harar
35Ahiam the son of Sharar the Harar
Eliphal son of Ur
36Hepher from Mekerah
Ahijah from Pelon
37Hezro from Carmel
Paarai son of Ezbai
38Joel, brother of Nathan
Mibhar son of Hagri 39Zelek from Ammon
Naharai from Beeroth, who carried weapons for David’s commander, Joab the son of Zeruiah
40Ira the Ithrite
Gareb the Ithrite
41Uriah the Hittite [14]
Zabad son of Ahlai
42Adina son of Shiza, from Reuben’s time. He led 30 men of his own.
43Hanan son of Maacah
Joshaphat from Mithna
44Uzzia from Ashtaroth
Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham. They came from the town of Aroer.
45Jediael son of Shimri
Joha, his brother, from Tiz
46Eliel from Mahavah
Jeribai and Joshaviah, sons of Elnaam
Ithmah from Moab
47 Eliel and Obed
Jaasiel from Mezobah. Footnotes
111:5“Zion” is a term of endearment, and another name for Jerusalem. It’s a bit like “The Big Apple” for New York City, “The City of Love” for Paris, and “Sin City” for Las Vegas, though some wouldn’t call that a term of endearment.
211:5The City of David was the original part of town before Solomon expanded up the hill to add the Temple and palace complexes.
311:6David was Joab’s uncle. Joab’s mother was Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:15-16).
411:8What “Millo” means is a mystery. One theory is that it refers to a terraced part of the ridge with a stairstep citadel. Archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon found in the oldest part of Jerusalem a Stepped Stone Structure, as it’s called. It’s dated to the time of David and his son Solomon, about 1000-900 BC. Some say the structure was the foundation for a royal palace that endured for six centuries—until Babylonian invaders from what is now Iraq leveled Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC.
511:11Literally, the name in Hebrew is an odd one: Joshebbasshebeth. The first Jewish Bible translated into Greek, the international language in Jesus’s day, translated the name as Ishbosheth. The Hebrew name may have been the original form of “Ishbosheth,” which served as a shortened nickname. But that’s uncertain.
611:11This is one common guess about how to translate a sentence that doesn’t seem to make much sense. A more realistic guess would be that he and the men under his command destroyed what amounted to about a battalion of men. But the body count is lower in another version of this story: 300 killed (2 Samuel 23:8).
711:11The Hachmon extended family clan was known as Hacmonites.
811:15Adullam was roughly 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Jerusalem. But some scholars say the Cave of Adullam wasn’t at Adullam. They identify it as a rock fortification at a village called el-Khadr, close to David’s hometown of Bethlehem.
911:15Rephaim Valley descends southwest of Jerusalem, toward the Mediterranean coast in the west and to an ancient trail between the coast and the Judean Hills. See also 2 Samuel 5:18.
1011:22Kabzeel was a town in the southern boonies of Judah, near the border with the nation of Edom, also known as Idumaea.
1111:22The Hebrew word is Ariel, which some Bibles translate as a person’s name. But the word means champion warrior, best of the best.
1211:23Two meters, or five cubits in Old Testament measurement. A cubit was the length of a man’s elbow to the tip of his extended fingers.
1311:26This list of The Thirty does not match the list in 2 Samuel 23. There are about 37 warriors on Samuel’s list (verse 39) and at least 47 warriors on this list in Chronicles. Some names from Samuel’s list are missing. But there are many extra names in Chronicles as well. Scholars guess that the two lists reflect different moments in history. Some warriors may have died in battle. Others took their place. This second list of warriors in Chronicles may have covered a long stretch of time and may have preserved names of some men who fought and died, followed by names of their replacements.
1411:41Likely the doomed husband of Bathsheba, whom David ordered on a suicide mission. David was trying to hide his adultery with Bathsheba and getting her pregnant. Cue the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1).
Discussion Questions
- Sorry, there are currently no questions for this chapter.
Maps/Guides
David takes JerusalemMap of Jerusalem 3D styleVideos
6David told his men, “The first one to attack these people from inside the city will get to command my army.” Joab [3] the son of Zeruiah got the job.
7David moved into the walled town and named it City of David. 8He fortified the position even more, from Millo [4] tower on the perimeter and then toward the center of the city. 9David became a stronger and more respected leader because the LORD of everyone was on his side.
David’s top three warriors
2 Samuel 23:8-17 10Here are the names of the warriors who fought for David. They joined all the people of Israel in declaring David king, just as the LORD intended.
11Ishbosheth, [5] led an elite unit simply called The Three. In a single battle, he killed 300 men with his spear. [6] He was the son of Hachmon. [7]
12Eleazar was number two of The Three. He was the son of Dodo and a descendant of Ahohi. 13He stood with David and fought the Philistines in a field full of barley, even after the rest of the Israelite soldiers ran away. 14He stood with David in the middle of that field, and he killed Philistines. The LORD gave them an incredible victory that day.
Elite warriors: The Three and The Thirty
15During harvesttime one year, The Three joined forces with David, who had camped in a defensive position at the Cave of Adullam. [8] Philistines took a position in the Valley of Rephaim. [9] 16David was staying in his defensive position when a detachment of Philistines advanced into Bethlehem and occupied the town.
17In passing, David said, “What I wouldn’t give for a drink of water from that wonderful well at Bethlehem’s city gate.”
18The Three elite warriors made it past the Philistine guards at Bethlehem. Then they drew water from the well and took it back to David. He wouldn’t drink it. He poured it on the ground as an offering of thanks to the LORD for men this devoted to him.
19He told the men, “As God is my witness, I would never have put your lives at risk for something like this.” So he didn’t drink the water. But The Three often showed this kind of extreme devotion to David. Roll call: The Thirty
2 Samuel 23:18-39 20Abishai led The Thirty warriors. He was Joab’s brother and the son of Zeruiah. He became as famous as The Three after he killed 300 men with his spear. 21He was the most famous of The Thirty, and their commander. But he didn’t make the cut for The Three.
22Benaiah was a brave soldier, too. He was the son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel. [10] He did some great things. He killed the two lions of Moab, champion warriors. [11] And on a snowy day, he went into a lion’s pit and killed an actual lion. 23One time, Benaiah killed an Egyptian man 7 ½ feet tall. [12] Benaiah had nothing but a walking stick. The Egyptian had a spear. But Benaiah grabbed it and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. 24That’s some of the things Benaiah did to become as famous as The Three. But he never made the cut to join the squad. 25He was one of the most famous warriors among The Thirty, but he didn’t make the elite team of The Three. However, David put him in charge of his royal bodyguards.
26These are the rest of The Thirty: [13]
Asahel, Joab’s brother
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem
27Shammah of Harod
Helez from Pelon
28Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Abiezer from Anathoth
29Sibbecai from Hushah
Ilai from Ahoah
30Maharai from Netophah
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah
31Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah, in Benjamin’s tribe
Benaiah from Pirathon
32Hurai from the streams on Mount Gaash
Abi-albon from Arabah
33Azmaveth from Bahurim
Eliahba from Shaalbon
34Jashen’s sons from Gizon
Jonathan, son of Shagee from Harar
35Ahiam the son of Sharar the Harar
Eliphal son of Ur
36Hepher from Mekerah
Ahijah from Pelon
37Hezro from Carmel
Paarai son of Ezbai
38Joel, brother of Nathan
Mibhar son of Hagri 39Zelek from Ammon
Naharai from Beeroth, who carried weapons for David’s commander, Joab the son of Zeruiah
40Ira the Ithrite
Gareb the Ithrite
41Uriah the Hittite [14]
Zabad son of Ahlai
42Adina son of Shiza, from Reuben’s time. He led 30 men of his own.
43Hanan son of Maacah
Joshaphat from Mithna
44Uzzia from Ashtaroth
Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham. They came from the town of Aroer.
45Jediael son of Shimri
Joha, his brother, from Tiz
46Eliel from Mahavah
Jeribai and Joshaviah, sons of Elnaam
Ithmah from Moab
47 Eliel and Obed
Jaasiel from Mezobah. Footnotes
111:5“Zion” is a term of endearment, and another name for Jerusalem. It’s a bit like “The Big Apple” for New York City, “The City of Love” for Paris, and “Sin City” for Las Vegas, though some wouldn’t call that a term of endearment.
211:5The City of David was the original part of town before Solomon expanded up the hill to add the Temple and palace complexes.
311:6David was Joab’s uncle. Joab’s mother was Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:15-16).
411:8What “Millo” means is a mystery. One theory is that it refers to a terraced part of the ridge with a stairstep citadel. Archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon found in the oldest part of Jerusalem a Stepped Stone Structure, as it’s called. It’s dated to the time of David and his son Solomon, about 1000-900 BC. Some say the structure was the foundation for a royal palace that endured for six centuries—until Babylonian invaders from what is now Iraq leveled Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC.
511:11Literally, the name in Hebrew is an odd one: Joshebbasshebeth. The first Jewish Bible translated into Greek, the international language in Jesus’s day, translated the name as Ishbosheth. The Hebrew name may have been the original form of “Ishbosheth,” which served as a shortened nickname. But that’s uncertain.
611:11This is one common guess about how to translate a sentence that doesn’t seem to make much sense. A more realistic guess would be that he and the men under his command destroyed what amounted to about a battalion of men. But the body count is lower in another version of this story: 300 killed (2 Samuel 23:8).
711:11The Hachmon extended family clan was known as Hacmonites.
811:15Adullam was roughly 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Jerusalem. But some scholars say the Cave of Adullam wasn’t at Adullam. They identify it as a rock fortification at a village called el-Khadr, close to David’s hometown of Bethlehem.
911:15Rephaim Valley descends southwest of Jerusalem, toward the Mediterranean coast in the west and to an ancient trail between the coast and the Judean Hills. See also 2 Samuel 5:18.
1011:22Kabzeel was a town in the southern boonies of Judah, near the border with the nation of Edom, also known as Idumaea.
1111:22The Hebrew word is Ariel, which some Bibles translate as a person’s name. But the word means champion warrior, best of the best.
1211:23Two meters, or five cubits in Old Testament measurement. A cubit was the length of a man’s elbow to the tip of his extended fingers.
1311:26This list of The Thirty does not match the list in 2 Samuel 23. There are about 37 warriors on Samuel’s list (verse 39) and at least 47 warriors on this list in Chronicles. Some names from Samuel’s list are missing. But there are many extra names in Chronicles as well. Scholars guess that the two lists reflect different moments in history. Some warriors may have died in battle. Others took their place. This second list of warriors in Chronicles may have covered a long stretch of time and may have preserved names of some men who fought and died, followed by names of their replacements.
1411:41Likely the doomed husband of Bathsheba, whom David ordered on a suicide mission. David was trying to hide his adultery with Bathsheba and getting her pregnant. Cue the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1).
Discussion Questions
- Sorry, there are currently no questions for this chapter.
Maps/Guides
David takes JerusalemMap of Jerusalem 3D styleVideos
11Ishbosheth, [5] led an elite unit simply called The Three. In a single battle, he killed 300 men with his spear. [6] He was the son of Hachmon. [7]
12Eleazar was number two of The Three. He was the son of Dodo and a descendant of Ahohi. 13He stood with David and fought the Philistines in a field full of barley, even after the rest of the Israelite soldiers ran away. 14He stood with David in the middle of that field, and he killed Philistines. The LORD gave them an incredible victory that day.
Elite warriors: The Three and The Thirty
15During harvesttime one year, The Three joined forces with David, who had camped in a defensive position at the Cave of Adullam. [8] Philistines took a position in the Valley of Rephaim. [9] 16David was staying in his defensive position when a detachment of Philistines advanced into Bethlehem and occupied the town.17In passing, David said, “What I wouldn’t give for a drink of water from that wonderful well at Bethlehem’s city gate.”
18The Three elite warriors made it past the Philistine guards at Bethlehem. Then they drew water from the well and took it back to David. He wouldn’t drink it. He poured it on the ground as an offering of thanks to the LORD for men this devoted to him.
19He told the men, “As God is my witness, I would never have put your lives at risk for something like this.” So he didn’t drink the water. But The Three often showed this kind of extreme devotion to David.
Roll call: The Thirty
2 Samuel 23:18-39 20Abishai led The Thirty warriors. He was Joab’s brother and the son of Zeruiah. He became as famous as The Three after he killed 300 men with his spear. 21He was the most famous of The Thirty, and their commander. But he didn’t make the cut for The Three.
22Benaiah was a brave soldier, too. He was the son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel. [10] He did some great things. He killed the two lions of Moab, champion warriors. [11] And on a snowy day, he went into a lion’s pit and killed an actual lion. 23One time, Benaiah killed an Egyptian man 7 ½ feet tall. [12] Benaiah had nothing but a walking stick. The Egyptian had a spear. But Benaiah grabbed it and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. 24That’s some of the things Benaiah did to become as famous as The Three. But he never made the cut to join the squad. 25He was one of the most famous warriors among The Thirty, but he didn’t make the elite team of The Three. However, David put him in charge of his royal bodyguards.
26These are the rest of The Thirty: [13]
Asahel, Joab’s brother
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem
27Shammah of Harod
Helez from Pelon
28Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Abiezer from Anathoth
29Sibbecai from Hushah
Ilai from Ahoah
30Maharai from Netophah
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah
31Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah, in Benjamin’s tribe
Benaiah from Pirathon
32Hurai from the streams on Mount Gaash
Abi-albon from Arabah
33Azmaveth from Bahurim
Eliahba from Shaalbon
34Jashen’s sons from Gizon
Jonathan, son of Shagee from Harar
35Ahiam the son of Sharar the Harar
Eliphal son of Ur
36Hepher from Mekerah
Ahijah from Pelon
37Hezro from Carmel
Paarai son of Ezbai
38Joel, brother of Nathan
Mibhar son of Hagri 39Zelek from Ammon
Naharai from Beeroth, who carried weapons for David’s commander, Joab the son of Zeruiah
40Ira the Ithrite
Gareb the Ithrite
41Uriah the Hittite [14]
Zabad son of Ahlai
42Adina son of Shiza, from Reuben’s time. He led 30 men of his own.
43Hanan son of Maacah
Joshaphat from Mithna
44Uzzia from Ashtaroth
Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham. They came from the town of Aroer.
45Jediael son of Shimri
Joha, his brother, from Tiz
46Eliel from Mahavah
Jeribai and Joshaviah, sons of Elnaam
Ithmah from Moab
47 Eliel and Obed
Jaasiel from Mezobah. Footnotes
111:5“Zion” is a term of endearment, and another name for Jerusalem. It’s a bit like “The Big Apple” for New York City, “The City of Love” for Paris, and “Sin City” for Las Vegas, though some wouldn’t call that a term of endearment.
211:5The City of David was the original part of town before Solomon expanded up the hill to add the Temple and palace complexes.
311:6David was Joab’s uncle. Joab’s mother was Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:15-16).
411:8What “Millo” means is a mystery. One theory is that it refers to a terraced part of the ridge with a stairstep citadel. Archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon found in the oldest part of Jerusalem a Stepped Stone Structure, as it’s called. It’s dated to the time of David and his son Solomon, about 1000-900 BC. Some say the structure was the foundation for a royal palace that endured for six centuries—until Babylonian invaders from what is now Iraq leveled Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC.
511:11Literally, the name in Hebrew is an odd one: Joshebbasshebeth. The first Jewish Bible translated into Greek, the international language in Jesus’s day, translated the name as Ishbosheth. The Hebrew name may have been the original form of “Ishbosheth,” which served as a shortened nickname. But that’s uncertain.
611:11This is one common guess about how to translate a sentence that doesn’t seem to make much sense. A more realistic guess would be that he and the men under his command destroyed what amounted to about a battalion of men. But the body count is lower in another version of this story: 300 killed (2 Samuel 23:8).
711:11The Hachmon extended family clan was known as Hacmonites.
811:15Adullam was roughly 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Jerusalem. But some scholars say the Cave of Adullam wasn’t at Adullam. They identify it as a rock fortification at a village called el-Khadr, close to David’s hometown of Bethlehem.
911:15Rephaim Valley descends southwest of Jerusalem, toward the Mediterranean coast in the west and to an ancient trail between the coast and the Judean Hills. See also 2 Samuel 5:18.
1011:22Kabzeel was a town in the southern boonies of Judah, near the border with the nation of Edom, also known as Idumaea.
1111:22The Hebrew word is Ariel, which some Bibles translate as a person’s name. But the word means champion warrior, best of the best.
1211:23Two meters, or five cubits in Old Testament measurement. A cubit was the length of a man’s elbow to the tip of his extended fingers.
1311:26This list of The Thirty does not match the list in 2 Samuel 23. There are about 37 warriors on Samuel’s list (verse 39) and at least 47 warriors on this list in Chronicles. Some names from Samuel’s list are missing. But there are many extra names in Chronicles as well. Scholars guess that the two lists reflect different moments in history. Some warriors may have died in battle. Others took their place. This second list of warriors in Chronicles may have covered a long stretch of time and may have preserved names of some men who fought and died, followed by names of their replacements.
1411:41Likely the doomed husband of Bathsheba, whom David ordered on a suicide mission. David was trying to hide his adultery with Bathsheba and getting her pregnant. Cue the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1).
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22Benaiah was a brave soldier, too. He was the son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel. [10] He did some great things. He killed the two lions of Moab, champion warriors. [11] And on a snowy day, he went into a lion’s pit and killed an actual lion. 23One time, Benaiah killed an Egyptian man 7 ½ feet tall. [12] Benaiah had nothing but a walking stick. The Egyptian had a spear. But Benaiah grabbed it and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. 24That’s some of the things Benaiah did to become as famous as The Three. But he never made the cut to join the squad. 25He was one of the most famous warriors among The Thirty, but he didn’t make the elite team of The Three. However, David put him in charge of his royal bodyguards.
26These are the rest of The Thirty: [13]
Asahel, Joab’s brother
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem
27Shammah of Harod
Helez from Pelon
28Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Abiezer from Anathoth
29Sibbecai from Hushah
Ilai from Ahoah
30Maharai from Netophah
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah
31Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah, in Benjamin’s tribe
Benaiah from Pirathon
32Hurai from the streams on Mount Gaash
Abi-albon from Arabah
33Azmaveth from Bahurim
Eliahba from Shaalbon
34Jashen’s sons from Gizon
Jonathan, son of Shagee from Harar
35Ahiam the son of Sharar the Harar
Eliphal son of Ur
36Hepher from Mekerah
Ahijah from Pelon
37Hezro from Carmel
Paarai son of Ezbai
38Joel, brother of Nathan
Mibhar son of Hagri 39Zelek from Ammon
Naharai from Beeroth, who carried weapons for David’s commander, Joab the son of Zeruiah
40Ira the Ithrite
Gareb the Ithrite
41Uriah the Hittite [14]
Zabad son of Ahlai
42Adina son of Shiza, from Reuben’s time. He led 30 men of his own.
43Hanan son of Maacah
Joshaphat from Mithna
44Uzzia from Ashtaroth
Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham. They came from the town of Aroer.
45Jediael son of Shimri
Joha, his brother, from Tiz
46Eliel from Mahavah
Jeribai and Joshaviah, sons of Elnaam
Ithmah from Moab
47 Eliel and Obed
Jaasiel from Mezobah.
Footnotes
“Zion” is a term of endearment, and another name for Jerusalem. It’s a bit like “The Big Apple” for New York City, “The City of Love” for Paris, and “Sin City” for Las Vegas, though some wouldn’t call that a term of endearment.
The City of David was the original part of town before Solomon expanded up the hill to add the Temple and palace complexes.
David was Joab’s uncle. Joab’s mother was Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:15-16).
What “Millo” means is a mystery. One theory is that it refers to a terraced part of the ridge with a stairstep citadel. Archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon found in the oldest part of Jerusalem a Stepped Stone Structure, as it’s called. It’s dated to the time of David and his son Solomon, about 1000-900 BC. Some say the structure was the foundation for a royal palace that endured for six centuries—until Babylonian invaders from what is now Iraq leveled Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC.
Literally, the name in Hebrew is an odd one: Joshebbasshebeth. The first Jewish Bible translated into Greek, the international language in Jesus’s day, translated the name as Ishbosheth. The Hebrew name may have been the original form of “Ishbosheth,” which served as a shortened nickname. But that’s uncertain.
This is one common guess about how to translate a sentence that doesn’t seem to make much sense. A more realistic guess would be that he and the men under his command destroyed what amounted to about a battalion of men. But the body count is lower in another version of this story: 300 killed (2 Samuel 23:8).
The Hachmon extended family clan was known as Hacmonites.
Adullam was roughly 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Jerusalem. But some scholars say the Cave of Adullam wasn’t at Adullam. They identify it as a rock fortification at a village called el-Khadr, close to David’s hometown of Bethlehem.
Rephaim Valley descends southwest of Jerusalem, toward the Mediterranean coast in the west and to an ancient trail between the coast and the Judean Hills. See also 2 Samuel 5:18.
Kabzeel was a town in the southern boonies of Judah, near the border with the nation of Edom, also known as Idumaea.
The Hebrew word is Ariel, which some Bibles translate as a person’s name. But the word means champion warrior, best of the best.
Two meters, or five cubits in Old Testament measurement. A cubit was the length of a man’s elbow to the tip of his extended fingers.
This list of The Thirty does not match the list in 2 Samuel 23. There are about 37 warriors on Samuel’s list (verse 39) and at least 47 warriors on this list in Chronicles. Some names from Samuel’s list are missing. But there are many extra names in Chronicles as well. Scholars guess that the two lists reflect different moments in history. Some warriors may have died in battle. Others took their place. This second list of warriors in Chronicles may have covered a long stretch of time and may have preserved names of some men who fought and died, followed by names of their replacements.
Likely the doomed husband of Bathsheba, whom David ordered on a suicide mission. David was trying to hide his adultery with Bathsheba and getting her pregnant. Cue the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1).
Discussion Questions
- Sorry, there are currently no questions for this chapter.
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