1 Chronicles 11 14

1 Chronicles 11:14 kjv

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.

1 Chronicles 11:14 nkjv

But they stationed themselves in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

1 Chronicles 11:14 niv

But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

1 Chronicles 11:14 esv

But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and killed the Philistines. And the LORD saved them by a great victory.

1 Chronicles 11:14 nlt

but Eleazar and David held their ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD saved them by giving them a great victory.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 14 Meaning

1 Chronicles 11:14 describes a decisive moment of courage and divine intervention. It states that certain warriors took a steadfast position in a critical plot of land, successfully defending it against the Philistines. The core meaning emphasizes that despite human bravery and effort, the ultimate victory and a truly "great salvation" came from the LORD Himself. It illustrates the partnership between human faithfulness and God's powerful deliverance in battle.

1 Chronicles 11 14 Context

1 Chronicles 11 details David's anointing as king over all Israel in Hebron, the conquest of Jerusalem, and then introduces his "mighty men." This chapter highlights the military strength and loyalty surrounding David's kingship, which was directly supported by God. Verse 14 specifically refers to an exploit of one of these mighty men (often attributed to Eleazar or Shammah, but here described in a plural sense) during a Philistine gathering at Pas-dammim. It is situated within a list of remarkable feats performed by these heroes, demonstrating the extraordinary courage and valor of David's loyal followers who fought on behalf of Israel. The narrative underscores that while these men displayed immense bravery, their ultimate success was divinely granted. The immediate preceding verse (v.13) states the Philistines gathered for battle at Pas-dammim, where there was a "plot of ground full of barley," setting the scene for this specific confrontation.

1 Chronicles 11 14 Word analysis

• And they took their stand (וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ - vayyityaṣṣevu):

  • Root: יָצַב (yatsav) - to take a stand, stand firm, be stationed. The plural form signifies a collective resolve or at least one hero with those who held the line with him.
  • Significance: This denotes a deliberate, courageous act of not retreating. It reflects unyielding resolve and determination in the face of an enemy, contrasting with the fleeing of others (as mentioned in the parallel account). It is an act of defiance and faithfulness in the face of fear.

• in the midst of the plot (בְּתוֹךְ הַחֶלְקָה - betokh haḥelqah):

  • ḥelqah (חֶלְקָה): a portion, field, piece of ground. Context from v.13 specifies "a plot of ground full of barley."
  • Significance: Defending a barley field might seem mundane compared to royal palaces or cities. Barley was a staple food crop, crucial for sustenance. This implies fighting not just for glory or territory, but for the very livelihood and survival of the people. It emphasizes the practical, immediate, and vital nature of the conflict. God's interventions are often in the everyday struggles.

• and defended it (וַיַּצִּילוּהָ - vayyaṣṣiluhah):

  • Root: נָצַל (naṣal) - to deliver, rescue, snatch away, save.
  • Significance: This goes beyond merely "standing"; it's an active, successful preservation of the field. It highlights the protective, proactive engagement of the warriors. They not only resisted but secured what was vulnerable.

• and struck down the Philistines (וַיַּכּוּ אֶת־פְּלִשְׁתִּים - vayyakkû et-pelishtim):

  • Root: נָכָה (nakah) - to strike, smite, slay.
  • Significance: A direct, decisive action against Israel's recurring enemy. This signifies victory achieved through physical engagement and military prowess. The Philistines represented a significant and continuous threat to Israelite existence and faith.

• and the LORD saved them (וַיּוֹשַׁע יְהוָה - vayyôsha' YHWH):

  • LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal, covenant name of God.
  • saved (וַיּוֹשַׁע - vayyôsha'): Root יָשַׁע (yasha') - to save, deliver, bring victory, rescue. This is the causative form, meaning God caused their salvation.
  • Significance: This phrase is the theological pivot of the verse. It attributes the ultimate success not to the warriors' strength alone, but to divine intervention. Despite human courage and effective action, God is the supreme source of deliverance. This refutes any notion of victory stemming purely from human might or reliance on pagan deities. It is a polemic against humanistic self-reliance and polytheistic views of warfare.

• by a great victory (תְּשׁוּעָה גְדוֹלָה - teshu'ah gedolah):

  • teshu'ah (תְּשׁוּעָה): salvation, deliverance, victory, welfare.
  • gedolah (גְדוֹלָה): great, large, mighty.
  • Significance: The magnitude of the victory is emphasized, not as ordinary, but divinely empowered and significant. It underscores that God's salvation is comprehensive and overwhelmingly successful. The outcome far surpassed what human effort alone could achieve.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And they took their stand... and struck down the Philistines; and the LORD saved them": This sequence reveals the biblical theology of divine-human partnership in warfare and life. Human courage and action are vital ("took their stand," "defended," "struck down"), but the ultimate source and scale of success derive from God's salvific act ("the LORD saved them"). It's a blend of human responsibility and divine sovereignty. This shows that faith doesn't negate action, but empowers it.

1 Chronicles 11 14 Bonus section

• The Discrepancy with 2 Samuel: While 2 Samuel 23:11-12 describes a similar event where Shammah defends a "plot of lentils," 1 Chronicles 11:13-14 states it was a "plot of ground full of barley" and uses the plural "they took their stand." This is a minor variation, likely highlighting the Chronicler's specific interest in a more communal, unified action under David's leadership, or possibly a slight re-focusing to emphasize Eleazar (mentioned just prior to this verse). Regardless, both accounts agree on the key elements: defending a crucial field, incredible individual/small group bravery, and the ultimate divine nature of the great victory. The "barley" specifically ties the victory to the preservation of common, essential resources, grounding the heroism in everyday livelihood.
• Significance of the "plot of ground": The defense of a humble agricultural plot (barley, not a city or fort) suggests that even the most mundane or seemingly insignificant aspects of life and land are valuable enough to be fought for and defended by God's people, especially when livelihoods are at stake. God is not only concerned with grand theological statements but with the practical well-being and sustenance of His covenant people.
• God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: The verse beautifully balances these two theological truths. "They took their stand... and struck down" shows human agency and courage. "And the LORD saved them by a great victory" underscores divine sovereignty. This tension is present throughout the Bible, indicating that God actively works through human instruments who are willing to act faithfully and bravely. It is not one or the other, but both.

1 Chronicles 11 14 Commentary

1 Chronicles 11:14 vividly portrays how human resolve, when coupled with divine power, leads to extraordinary victory. It highlights that certain men, against significant odds (as implied by the need to "take a stand"), showed incredible bravery by defending a vital but seemingly ordinary "plot of barley." Their actions were concrete and effective: they stood firm, protected the field, and decisively engaged the enemy. Yet, the verse immediately pivots to declare that the "LORD saved them by a great victory." This emphasizes that human effort, while commendable and necessary, is merely the instrument through which God's superior power is manifested. The ultimate triumph, particularly one deemed "great," is God's doing. This teaches us that perseverance in our calling, even in humble circumstances, can open the door for God to display His magnificent power, securing a victory far beyond our own capabilities. It underscores a fundamental biblical principle: God works through His people's faithfulness and courage to bring about His saving purposes.