1 Chronicles 11 28

1 Chronicles 11:28 kjv

Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,

1 Chronicles 11:28 nkjv

Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

1 Chronicles 11:28 niv

Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth,

1 Chronicles 11:28 esv

Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa, Abiezer of Anathoth,

1 Chronicles 11:28 nlt

Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
Abiezer from Anathoth;

1 Chronicles 11 28 Cross References

VerseTextReference
2 Sam 23:26-27Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite; Uriah the Hittite; ...Abiezer the Anathothite...Parallel list of David's mighty men, names Ira & Abiezer.
1 Chr 12:8...came to David at Ziklag, mighty men, helpers in war.Describes other courageous men joining David.
1 Chr 11:10Now these are the chiefs of the mighty men whom David had...Introduces the list of mighty men.
1 Chr 27:12Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjaminites; he was chief of the Ninth division for the ninth month.Abiezer's role as a division commander.
2 Sam 23:8These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the three.Begins the parallel list of David's warriors.
Neh 4:14And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”Emphasizes courage and fighting for God's people.
Ps 18:32-34The God who girds me with strength... He trains my hands for war...God empowers warriors for battle.
Isa 40:29-31He gives power to the faint... those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength...God's enabling strength for service.
Josh 21:18Anathoth with its common-land, and Almon with its common-land: four cities.Anathoth as a Levitical city in Benjamin.
Jer 1:1The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth...Anathoth's connection to Prophet Jeremiah.
Jer 11:21"Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth...Divine judgment on the men of Anathoth.
1 Sam 22:1-2David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam... and everyone who was in distress, in debt, or bitter in soul gathered to him.David's initial gathering of followers.
Amos 1:1The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa...Tekoa's connection to Prophet Amos.
2 Chr 11:6He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa...Tekoa mentioned as a fortified city under Rehoboam.
Prov 11:14Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.Importance of wise and mighty advisors/supporters.
1 Cor 12:4-6Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit...Diverse individuals contribute to a common purpose.
Eph 4:11-12And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry...God's provision of gifted individuals for His work.
Ex 31:3-5...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship...God gifts individuals for specific tasks.
Ps 89:19-20Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one... "I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him,"God raises up and anoints His chosen leaders, supported by valiant men.
Josh 15:59Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages.Implied existence and significance of towns like Tekoa/Anathoth.
Num 26:29The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites...Biblical emphasis on family lines and tribal affiliation.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 28 Meaning

This verse identifies two additional valiant men within King David's elite warriors: Ira, son of Ikkesh, from Tekoa, and Abiezer from Anathoth. It emphasizes their distinct identities through their parentage and hometowns, underscoring their integral roles in the formidable assembly of those who served David's kingdom faithfully under God's appointment.

1 Chronicles 11 28 Context

1 Chronicles 11:28 is embedded within a significant passage (1 Chr 11:10-47) that comprehensively lists David's mighty men, chronicling their heroic deeds and dedicated service to him as king. This particular verse, therefore, directly contributes to a detailed record of the key individuals who formed the military backbone of David's kingdom. The larger chapter, 1 Chronicles 11, serves as a pivotal point, establishing David as the anointed king of all Israel (vv. 1-3), recording his conquest of Jerusalem and establishing it as his capital (vv. 4-9), and subsequently presenting the distinguished roster of his most formidable warriors. This comprehensive listing highlights the unity and strength that gathered around David, attributing his success not merely to personal prowess but to the faithful service of devoted men empowered by God. Historically, during the United Monarchy, a king's strength and legitimacy were significantly measured by the loyalty and prowess of his army. The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic audience, uses this detail to emphasize the divine backing and solid foundation of David's reign, upon which the legitimacy of the Israelite monarchy and the later Temple institution were built. It underscores how God gathered capable individuals from various tribes and localities to serve His anointed leader, establishing a unified and powerful kingdom.

1 Chronicles 11 28 Word analysis

  • Ira: Hebrew: עִירָא (`ʿÎrāʾ`). Likely means "city dweller" or "watchful." Significance: This individual is one of the distinguished heroes who formed David's inner circle of elite warriors, often referred to as 'the Thirty'. His inclusion highlights his valor and loyalty to the king and his God-given kingdom.
  • the son of Ikkesh: This phrase signifies a specific lineage. Ikkesh (Hebrew: עִקֵּשׁ, `ʿIqqēsh`), is a personal name, not an adjective. Significance: The mention of the father’s name clarifies the exact individual, grounding him in his family identity within the tribe of Benjamin (as seen in 2 Sam 23:26, "the Tekoite" Ira is the father's side not tribe of Tekoa), signifying his established place within the Israelite societal structure.
  • the Tekoite: Hebrew: תְּקֹעִי (`Təqōʿî`). From Tekoa (תְּקוֹעַ, `Təqōʿa`), a town in Judah, strategically located in the wilderness region south of Jerusalem. Significance: Identifying his place of origin (Tekoa) links him to a specific region known for its strong, hardy inhabitants and later associated with the prophet Amos. This detail also emphasizes the geographical breadth of support David commanded, drawing strength from various regions of Israel. It could also suggest a connection to a later Benjaminite priestly lineage associated with Tekoa for Ira specifically, differentiating him from other possible "Iras."
  • Abiezer: Hebrew: אֲבִיעֶזֶר (`ʾǍvîʿezer`). Meaning "my father is help." Significance: Another prominent member of David's thirty mighty men, consistently appearing in both lists (1 Chronicles and 2 Samuel). His name, "my father is help," may reflect a theological belief in his family, or simply be a common name. His continuing service as a division commander (1 Chr 27:12) underlines his sustained faithfulness and competence.
  • the Anathothite: Hebrew: עֲנָתֹתִי (`ʿǍnāṯōṯî`). From Anathoth (עֲנָתוֹת, `ʿǍnāṯôth`), a town located in the territory of Benjamin, given to the sons of Aaron and therefore a Levitical city (Josh 21:18). Significance: This origin links Abiezer to a significant Levitical priestly town and the tribe of Benjamin. It suggests a possibility of him being of priestly or Levitical descent, bringing diverse strengths and backgrounds to David's court. Anathoth is most famously known as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah, which adds to its biblical significance. His background reflects David's capacity to unify diverse elements of Israel around his throne.
  • "Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite": This full phrase meticulously identifies one individual warrior by name, lineage, and geographic origin. This precise identification affirms the specific historical reality of these men and their crucial, identifiable contribution to David's early kingdom.
  • "Abiezer the Anathothite": Similarly, this phrase fully identifies another distinct individual warrior by name and geographic-tribal association. These identifications demonstrate the broad and diverse support David garnered, showing men from various backgrounds and tribes uniting under his leadership for God's kingdom purposes.

1 Chronicles 11 28 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s list of David’s mighty men, including figures like Ira and Abiezer, often varies slightly from the parallel account in 2 Samuel 23. These variations are not contradictions but highlight the Chronicler's particular theological and historical interests. For instance, the Chronicler's emphasis on Tekoa (a Benjaminite/Judahite border town, a fortress for Rehoboam) and Anathoth (a Levitical city in Benjamin) underlines the broad support for David and potentially the presence of religiously significant individuals within his military elite. Abiezer, for example, is further mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27:12 as a division commander for the ninth month, illustrating his sustained high-ranking role and administrative contribution beyond just a warrior, connecting him to the broader infrastructure of David's kingdom. These lists emphasize that David's strength came not just from himself, but from the network of faithful, capable men God raised up and aligned with his reign.

1 Chronicles 11 28 Commentary

1 Chronicles 11:28 is more than a mere enumeration; it signifies the meticulous documentation of foundational figures in David's God-established kingdom. Ira and Abiezer, along with others in this esteemed list, represent the human instruments through whom God worked to secure and prosper David's reign. Their diverse origins, noted as "Tekoite" and "Anathothite," illustrate the widespread unity and loyalty that gathered around God's anointed king. The inclusion of these details by the Chronicler reinforces the legitimacy and strength of David's kingdom, showcasing that even as David grew in power, he was supported by a dedicated core of valiant individuals from all over Israel, faithful men empowered by God's Spirit.