1 Chronicles 11 11

1 Chronicles 11:11 kjv

And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.

1 Chronicles 11:11 nkjv

And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite, chief of the captains; he had lifted up his spear against three hundred, killed by him at one time.

1 Chronicles 11:11 niv

this is the list of David's mighty warriors: Jashobeam, a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

1 Chronicles 11:11 esv

This is an account of David's mighty men: Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against 300 whom he killed at one time.

1 Chronicles 11:11 nlt

Here is the record of David's mightiest warriors: The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three ? the mightiest warriors among David's men. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 11 Meaning

1 Chronicles 11:11 introduces Jashobeam, one of King David's elite warriors, describing an extraordinary feat of military valor. This verse highlights the unparalleled strength and skill of David's mighty men, not as mere human prowess, but as men greatly empowered by God for His purposes. It sets a standard for the heroic faithfulness and divine assistance that marked David's kingdom.

1 Chronicles 11 11 Context

1 Chronicles 11 is a pivotal chapter, initiating David's reign as king over all Israel in Jerusalem and immediately detailing his elite military forces. Following his anointing, the chronicler focuses on the establishment of David's kingdom and the key figures instrumental in its strength and success. This specific verse, 1 Chronicles 11:11, introduces the renowned list of David's "mighty men" or "thirty," an inner circle of extraordinarily courageous and loyal warriors whose individual feats demonstrated remarkable prowess. It serves to legitimate David's kingship by showing the quality of support God provided him through these men. This account emphasizes David's role as a godly leader whose leadership attracted and united men of great ability, serving to uphold the covenantal nation.

1 Chronicles 11 11 Word analysis

• And this is the number (וְזֶה מִסְפַּר, vĕzeh mispar): The Hebrew word mispar signifies an exact count or tally. Its inclusion highlights the chronicler's interest in precise detail, conveying not merely a qualitative statement but a quantitatively verifiable account of the strength available to David. This specific listing is crucial for establishing historical and military legitimacy, showing an organized and powerful force.
• of the mighty men (הַגִּבֹּרִים, haggibbôrîm): The term gibborim refers to strong, heroic, valiant warriors. It implies not just physical strength but also a fierce bravery and effectiveness in battle. In biblical context, it often denotes men divinely enabled or extraordinarily gifted for combat, contrasting with common soldiers. These are elite forces.
• whom David had: This phrase emphasizes the direct personal allegiance and loyalty of these extraordinary warriors to King David. It reflects David's capacity as a leader to attract and command such formidable individuals, suggesting divine favor upon his leadership.
• Jashobeam (יָשָׁבְעָם, Yashov‘am): A specific personal name, often associated with "the son of Hachmoni" here or "the Tachmonite" in 2 Samuel 23:8. Naming him first signifies his supreme importance and status among the mighty men, acting as a foundational exemplar of their prowess.
• the son of Hachmoni (בֶּן־חַכְמוֹנִי, ben-Ḥakhmônî): This patronymic identifies Jashobeam through his lineage. It places him within a recognized family or clan, adding to his established standing. The slight variation in "Tachmonite" (2 Sam) is likely a tribal or regional designation, still pointing to the same eminent family line.
• the chief of the captains (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁלִשִׁים, ro'sh hashshališim): Literally "head of the three" or "head of the chosen ones." This title denotes the highest-ranking military officer among David's personal guard or the elite unit of warriors. He was the most senior of David's special forces, highlighting his unparalleled skill and authority.
• he lifted up his spear (הֵנִיף אֶת־חֲנִיתוֹ, heniyf et-ḥanito): This describes a deliberate, powerful offensive action. The spear was a primary weapon in ancient warfare, often used for thrusting or throwing, indicating direct, personal combat. "Lifted up" implies the initial menacing gesture and the forceful, skilled execution of the attack.
• against three hundred: This detail provides a numerical scale for Jashobeam's feat, highlighting the immense odds he faced alone. The numerical superiority of the enemy dramatically underscores his exceptional bravery and supernatural enabling.
• slain by him at one time (חָלָל בַּפַּעַם אֶחָת, ḥālāl bappa‘am ‘eḥāt): Ḥālāl refers to one who is pierced or mortally wounded. This emphasizes the decisive and lethal outcome of Jashobeam's individual action. "At one time" stresses the unparalleled speed and singular nature of this mass slaughter, pointing to a rapid, concentrated effort that overwhelmed the enemy. This phrase magnifies the extraordinary, perhaps miraculous, nature of the accomplishment, signifying an unmatched feat in battle.

1 Chronicles 11 11 Bonus section

The chronicler often presents accounts with slight variations from parallel texts (e.g., 2 Samuel) to highlight specific theological points. While 2 Samuel 23:8 lists "eight hundred," 1 Chronicles 11:11 specifies "three hundred" slain. This is usually interpreted as either describing two separate heroic events by the same man, or a focus on a different aspect of a singular great feat, with Chronicles choosing to emphasize this specific instance perhaps for its profound illustration of individual power against great odds. The recurring motif of "mighty men" throughout Chronicles emphasizes God's sovereign hand in establishing and blessing the Davidic kingdom through powerful human instruments. These men were not merely skilled warriors, but implicitly, they were instruments of divine purpose, foreshadowing the collective strength believers can find in Christ for spiritual warfare.

1 Chronicles 11 11 Commentary

1 Chronicles 11:11 introduces Jashobeam, one of David's premier "mighty men," through an almost legendary account of his singular battle prowess. His act of killing three hundred men in a single engagement stands as the benchmark for the extraordinary strength and valor that characterized David's elite forces. This level of power is presented not merely as human capability but as evidence of divine empowerment for those chosen to establish and maintain God's kingdom. The chronicler's careful record of these warriors validates David's anointing by demonstrating the quality of the support God provided him. It shows that effective leadership is backed by capable individuals, supernaturally enabled. This historical record serves as a testimony to God’s power working through dedicated men for His purposes, emphasizing the quality of God-fearing men over mere numerical superiority.

Examples of its application include understanding that spiritual battles require reliance on divine strength (like Eph 6:10), that leaders should surround themselves with people of conviction and ability (like David), and that God can achieve great things through one person committed and empowered by Him, regardless of the odds (like Gideon in Jdg 7).