1 Chronicles 11 16

1 Chronicles 11:16 kjv

And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 11:16 nkjv

David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 11:16 niv

At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 11:16 esv

David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 11:16 nlt

David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 16 Meaning

This verse sets the immediate scene for an act of profound loyalty and bravery by David's mighty men. It describes David's location in a fortified position, likely Jerusalem or an unnamed stronghold, while his ancestral town, Bethlehem, was under the control of a Philistine military outpost or garrison. This simultaneous presence highlights David's status as a leader besieged yet established, facing the persistent threat of the Philistines, even over his own birthplace.

1 Chronicles 11 16 Context

Verse Context: 1 Chronicles 11:16 directly precedes David's expressed longing for water from the well of Bethlehem and the subsequent heroic act of his three mighty men. It sets the geographical and strategic backdrop for this pivotal incident, emphasizing the challenging military reality that prompted David's longing and the mighty men's response. The fact that Bethlehem, David's ancestral home, was occupied by the enemy intensifies the emotional weight of David's desire.

Chapter Context: Chapter 11 begins with David being crowned king over all Israel in Hebron, fulfilling God's promise. It then describes David's conquest of Jerusalem, making it the capital. The bulk of the chapter, from verse 10 onward, details the achievements and lists the names of David's "mighty men" – elite warriors who demonstrated extraordinary loyalty and valor. This particular incident involving Bethlehem's well serves as a prime example of their devotion.

Historical Context: This event likely takes place early in David's reign as king over all Israel, after he had unified the kingdom but while significant Philistine resistance persisted. The Philistines, as a dominant regional power, frequently encroached upon Israelite territory. Their "garrison" in Bethlehem indicates their continued control or military presence in strategic Judean towns, despite David's anointing as king. David himself was "in the stronghold," suggesting a place of relative security from which he was organizing his campaigns against lingering enemies like the Philistines, while perhaps reflecting on the indignity of his hometown being occupied.

1 Chronicles 11 16 Word analysis

• And: A conjunction (waw) connecting this verse to the preceding narrative of David's mighty men, establishing the setting for the upcoming account of their valor.
• David: Hebrew: דָּוִיד (Dawid). The anointed king of Israel, central figure of this passage and the larger historical narrative in Chronicles. His personal longing will spark the actions described next.
• was then: Indicates a specific point in time when these conditions prevailed, framing the scene for the following incident.
• in the stronghold: Hebrew: בַּמְּצוּדָה (bam-məṣūdāh), from מְצוּדָה (metzudah). This refers to a fortified place or fortress. It implies a place of security and defense for David, contrasting with the occupied nature of Bethlehem. David often sought refuge in strongholds during his flight from Saul (e.g., 1 Sam 23:14) and later used them as military bases. Here, it is likely the fortified city of Jerusalem (the stronghold of Zion) which he had just captured, or another strategic military post.
• and: Again, the conjunction (waw) connecting two simultaneous situations.
• the garrison: Hebrew: נְצִיב (netzîḇ). This term typically means a military post or an occupying force. Its presence in Bethlehem signifies direct Philistine military control or occupation, a significant affront to the nascent Israelite kingdom and personally to David, who hailed from Bethlehem.
• of the Philistines: Hebrew: פְּלִשְׁתִּים (pəlištîm). The long-standing enemies of Israel, frequently depicted as oppressors and a significant threat throughout the period of the Judges and early monarchy. Their presence signifies a state of ongoing warfare and territorial dispute.
• was then: Reiteration of the specific time reference, confirming both conditions were concurrently true.
• in Bethlehem: Hebrew: בְּבֵית לֶחֶם (bə-ḇêt leḥem). Meaning "house of bread," Bethlehem was a small but historically significant town in Judah, renowned as the birthplace of David himself (1 Sam 17:12) and prophetically, of the Messiah (Micah 5:2). Its occupation by Philistine forces would have been a bitter pill for David, fueling his longing.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And David was then in the stronghold: This phrase establishes David's physical location. While a position of safety and command, it also indicates a period of ongoing conflict. He is fortified but not yet fully master of all his domain, facing an immediate enemy presence.
• and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem: This highlights the extent of the Philistine threat and their reach into Israelite territory. The occupation of David's hometown underscores the direct and personal nature of the conflict for David, setting up his ensuing yearning for its water.

1 Chronicles 11 16 Bonus section

The seemingly simple declaration in 1 Chronicles 11:16 carries layers of emotional and theological weight. For the Chronicler's audience, writing perhaps centuries later, the knowledge that David's own ancestral city was under enemy control at the beginning of his united kingdom's rule would have emphasized the immense struggle required to establish and maintain God's promised kingdom. It subtly points to the persistent presence of adversaries despite God's favor on David, requiring ongoing faithfulness and reliance on Divine power. Furthermore, the fact that Bethlehem was the target of Philistine occupation foreshadows its later divine significance as the birthplace of the ultimate King, the Messiah. This seemingly incidental military detail from David's time connects Bethlehem as a place of vulnerability and struggle with its future glory as the location of the greatest redemption, thereby weaving together the human longing for physical peace with the divine plan of salvation.

1 Chronicles 11 16 Commentary

1 Chronicles 11:16 functions as a critical setup verse, drawing the reader's attention to two crucial geographical points: David's stronghold and occupied Bethlehem. The narrative emphasizes a direct and current military reality. David, having consolidated his rule to some extent in a secure stronghold (likely Jerusalem, the captured "stronghold of Zion"), still faces the indignity and military challenge of a Philistine "garrison" entrenched in Bethlehem, his very birthplace. This detail is not merely geographical information but emotionally and strategically potent. It showcases the lingering threat posed by the Philistines even after David's coronation and his initial successes. The presence of the garrison implies a physical barrier, making Bethlehem an enemy-held territory. This scene lays the groundwork for David's wistful longing for water from his home town's well in the very next verse, sparking the exceptional courage and devotion of his mighty men, who understood the profound yearning of their king despite the inherent danger.