1 Chronicles 11:25 kjv
Behold, he was honorable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
1 Chronicles 11:25 nkjv
Indeed he was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard.
1 Chronicles 11:25 niv
He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
1 Chronicles 11:25 esv
He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard.
1 Chronicles 11:25 nlt
He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard.
1 Chronicles 11 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 23:22-23 | "These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did... and was most honored of the thirty, but he did not attain to the three." | Parallel account of Benaiah's honor. |
| 1 Chron 11:11-19 | Describes the exploits of "the Three" and other mighty men. | Context of the ultimate elite warriors. |
| 1 Chron 11:22-24 | Details Benaiah's specific heroic deeds (killing Moabites, Egyptian giant). | Precedes 1 Chron 11:25, explaining his renown. |
| 1 Chron 27:5-6 | "The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel... And his son Zebadiah after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand." | Benaiah's later leadership over army divisions. |
| 2 Sam 23:8 | "These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred slain by him at one time." | Identifies Jashobeam/Adino, one of "the Three." |
| 2 Sam 23:9-10 | "And after him was Eleazar... He arose and smote the Philistines... until his hand was weary..." | Identifies Eleazar, one of "the Three." |
| 2 Sam 23:11-12 | "And after him was Shammah... took his stand in the middle of the field and defended it..." | Identifies Shammah, one of "the Three." |
| 1 Kings 1:38-39 | "So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada... carried Solomon..." | Benaiah's loyalty to David and role in Solomon's succession. |
| 1 Kings 2:25, 34 | "So King Solomon sent Benaiah... who struck him down..." (referring to Adonijah and Joab) | Benaiah's crucial role in Solomon's reign, executing royal commands. |
| Matt 20:26-28 | "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave..." | Contrast: earthly hierarchy vs. humble service in Christ's kingdom. |
| Luke 14:10 | "But when you are invited, go and recline in the last place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.'" | Principle of humble self-assessment and God-given honor. |
| Prov 22:4 | "The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." | Connects honor with spiritual qualities, contrasting worldly glory. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." | Acknowledgment of established hierarchies and roles. |
| 1 Cor 12:28 | "And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing..." | Divine appointment of varied roles and ranks in a spiritual body. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry..." | God establishes different gifted roles for the edification of the church. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." | Humility in serving others, even with exceptional ability. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." | God's sovereignty in granting status and honor. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the mighty man boast in his might... but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me..." | True honor rooted in knowing God, not personal might. |
| Rev 21:14 | "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." | Specific tiers of honor and foundation in God's eternal city, reflecting divine order. |
| Neh 3:30 | Mentions specific individuals doing work, implying varied levels of contribution and skill within a communal project. | Illustrates various levels of contribution and distinction in a work, though not strictly military. |
1 Chronicles 11 verses
1 Chronicles 11 25 Meaning
1 Chronicles 11:25 distinguishes Benaiah son of Jehoiada as a warrior of extraordinary might and valor within King David's elite military force. It asserts his preeminence above the common ranks of the "Thirty"—David's council of mighty men—indicating a higher level of honor and distinction. However, it also clarifies that Benaiah, despite his impressive feats, was not included among the absolute top tier, known as "the Three"—the three most elite and celebrated warriors in David's army. This verse therefore precisely delineates his exceptional, yet specifically tiered, standing within David's renowned military hierarchy.
1 Chronicles 11 25 Context
First Chronicles chapter 11 narrates the establishment of David's kingdom, beginning with his anointing as king over all Israel in Hebron, and his subsequent capture of Jerusalem, making it his capital. Following these foundational events, the chapter shifts its focus to a crucial aspect of David's reign: his elite military force, known as his "mighty men." This roster of exceptional warriors, similar to the one found in 2 Samuel 23, highlights the military strength and loyalty that underpinned David's rule, empowered by God's hand. The specific context for verse 25 comes after the listing of "the Three"—Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah—and then Benaiah's own extraordinary feats are detailed (vv. 22-24). The verse then concisely positions Benaiah's honor, indicating he surpasses the larger group of thirty renowned warriors, but remains just beneath the supreme trio. Historically, this demonstrates the organized structure of David's military and the immense personal valor held in high esteem, vital for securing the kingdom against internal and external threats in ancient Israel. The Chronicler's detailed listing emphasizes the human instruments through whom God worked to establish and secure David's kingdom.
1 Chronicles 11 25 Word analysis
- He: Refers directly to Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, whose preceding valorous acts (slaying two lion-like men of Moab, a lion in a pit, and an Egyptian giant) are detailed in 1 Chronicles 11:22-24. This immediate preceding context establishes why he is honored.
- was more honored: The Hebrew root is כָּבֵד (kābeḏ), often meaning "heavy," but in the Niphal stem (like here, יִכָּבֵד, yikkāvēḏ), it means "to be honored," "to be weighty" in status or glory. This implies significant respect, esteem, and recognition for his achievements. His honor was not self-proclaimed but recognized by others and his King, signifying a position of high distinction.
- than the thirty: Refers to "the Thirty," a defined council or cohort of David's mighty men, distinguished for their individual heroic deeds (listed from 1 Chron 11:26 onwards). While "the Thirty" were themselves elite, Benaiah's valor surpassed their collective high standard, placing him in a distinct category above them. This highlights his unique level of excellence.
- but: This conjunction marks a strong contrast, preparing the reader for a qualification or limitation to the high honor just stated. It prevents misunderstanding by ensuring that Benaiah's high standing is precisely located within the existing military hierarchy.
- he was not: This clear negation provides a precise boundary. Despite his remarkable feats and greater honor than "the Thirty," there was a specific, higher tier he did not reach.
- among the three: Refers to "the Three," the preeminent and unparalleled trio of warriors (Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah) whose initial exploits in the chapter define the pinnacle of military prowess in David's army. This group represented the absolute elite, and Benaiah, though great, remained separate from this most exclusive tier. The precise categorization speaks to the structured and merit-based military system under David.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "He was more honored than the thirty": This phrase establishes Benaiah's superior standing relative to the broader group of valiant warriors. It signifies an earned rank based on extraordinary personal performance beyond that expected even of other celebrated mighty men. This elevation points to remarkable personal courage and skill.
- "but he was not among the three": This phrase introduces a critical distinction, preventing an overstatement of Benaiah's rank. It meticulously defines the highest echelons of David's military leadership. This structure emphasizes that even within supreme excellence, there existed an ultimate, most exclusive tier, underscoring the Chronicler's interest in precise hierarchy and order in David's kingdom.
1 Chronicles 11 25 Bonus section
The Chronicler's inclusion and specific ordering of the mighty men, including Benaiah's particular rank, subtly reinforces the legitimate authority of David's kingship as divinely sanctioned. These accounts are not merely military annals; they demonstrate God’s faithfulness to David and His anointing on him, as these warriors, enabled by divine strength, secured the kingdom for God’s chosen ruler. Benaiah's later consistent loyalty to King David and subsequently to King Solomon (1 Kings 1-2) further exemplifies his character, not just as a warrior but as a devoted servant to the legitimate line of succession, a principle highly valued in the chronicler's narrative. His role as the commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites (David's elite bodyguard, also implied to be loyal and effective personal enforcers) further underscores his exceptional status as both a trusted warrior and a high-ranking administrator.
1 Chronicles 11 25 Commentary
1 Chronicles 11:25 provides a succinct yet potent summary of Benaiah's unique standing within David's army. His placement, after "the Three" but before "the Thirty," illustrates a refined hierarchy that valued both outstanding individual bravery and organizational structure. Benaiah's deeds, specifically highlighted in the preceding verses, warranted immense honor, positioning him above the broader cadre of distinguished warriors. However, the precise delineation "but he was not among the three" clarifies that an even higher, more select echelon of prowess existed. This speaks not to a failing on Benaiah's part, but to the exceptionally rare and profound heroism attributed to Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah. The verse highlights the value placed on military valor in David's time and God's work through human agency to establish the kingdom. It implies that true greatness is often recognized and positioned appropriately within a larger system, reflecting the divine order and diverse gifts, with each person fulfilling their unique, yet respected, role. This kind of precise classification reflects God's ordered kingdom, where roles and contributions are distinct yet all contribute to the whole.