1 Chronicles 11:31 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

1 Chronicles 11:31 kjv

Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

1 Chronicles 11:31 nkjv

Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

1 Chronicles 11:31 niv

Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

1 Chronicles 11:31 esv

Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon,

1 Chronicles 11:31 nlt

Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);
Benaiah from Pirathon;

1 Chronicles 11 31 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
1 Chr 11:10	These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had...	Introduction to David's elite warriors.
2 Sam 23:8	These be the names of the mighty men whom David had...	Parallel list in Samuel.
1 Chr 11:42	Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites... and thirty with him.	Listing warriors with their tribal affiliation.
1 Chr 12:1	Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag... mighty men, helpers of the war.	Warriors joining David during his exile.
1 Chr 12:2	They were armed with bows... of Benjamin.	Benjamites joining David.
1 Chr 12:8	And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold in the wilderness men of might	Tribal loyalty and martial prowess.
1 Chr 12:18	Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said... we are thine.	Emphasizing dedication and divine blessing on those who serve David.
1 Chr 12:26	Of the children of Benjamin, Saul's brethren, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part... were	Benjamite shift of allegiance to David.
1 Sam 10:20-21	When Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.	Benjamin as the tribe of Saul, Israel's first king.
Jdg 19:14	...he and his servant came unto Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.	Gibeah's connection to Benjamin.
Jdg 20:4-14	How the Levite... concerning the sons of Benjamin in Gibeah.	The historical shame and near-extinction of Benjamin related to Gibeah.
Neh 11:31	The children of Benjamin also from Geba dwelt at Michmash...	Post-exilic Benjamite settlements, showing continuity.
1 Chr 7:6	The sons of Benjamin: Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.	General genealogy of Benjamin in Chronicles.
1 Chr 8:1-40	Chronicles details of Benjamin's lineage, emphasizing continuity.	Benjamin's significant role in Israel's history.
Prov 20:6	Many men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?	Finding faithful, mighty men like Ithai.
Heb 11:32-34	...David, and Samuel, and of the prophets... out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight	Echoes the strength and faith of God-fearing warriors.
Eph 6:10-17	Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.	Spiritual parallel to being "mighty" in service to God's chosen leader.
Rom 11:1	...For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.	The apostle Paul identifies himself as a Benjamite.
Php 3:5	Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin...	Paul affirming his strong Israelite, Benjamite identity.
1 Pet 2:9	But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people...	Identity in Christ, spiritual lineage, serving God.
Rom 13:7	Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom...	Principle of loyalty and proper recognition, reflected in listing these men.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

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1 Chronicles 11 31 Meaning

1 Chronicles 11:31 lists Ithai, son of Ribai, from Gibeah, of the tribe of Benjamin, as one of David's mighty men. This verse functions as part of a detailed roster acknowledging loyal and skilled warriors who supported David, underscoring the broad base of his power and the unity he achieved across the tribes of Israel, including Benjamin, the tribe of the former king, Saul.

1 Chronicles 11 31 Context

First Chronicles chapter 11 details David's ascendancy to kingship over all Israel, his conquest of Jerusalem (renaming it the City of David), and a list of his most distinguished warriors—his "mighty men." This particular list, and verse 31 within it, serves several crucial purposes for the original audience, the post-exilic Jewish community. It reinforced national identity by listing individuals from various tribes, emphasizing the unified support David garnered. Historically, this period marked the peak of Israel's strength under David. The mention of Gibeah, a city known for its association with King Saul and earlier tribal conflict (Judges 19-21), highlights David's success in consolidating power and healing tribal divisions, integrating even former adversaries like elements of the tribe of Benjamin into his loyal circle. The meticulous genealogies and lists in Chronicles affirm continuity from their past, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenants, particularly the Davidic line.

1 Chronicles 11 31 Word analysis

Ithai (אִיתַי - 'Ithay): A proper name. His presence in this elite list signifies his strength, loyalty, and significance within David's army. While less famous than some other "mighty men," his inclusion here makes his name enduring. It is distinct from "Ittai the Gittite" (2 Sam 15:18-22), a faithful Philistine follower; this Ithai is explicitly an Israelite from Benjamin.
the son of (בֶּן־ - ben): Common Hebrew term indicating direct patrilineal descent, standard for identifying individuals in ancient genealogies and rosters.
Ribai (רִבַּי - Ribbay): The father of Ithai. His name is not mentioned elsewhere in the biblical record, serving primarily to further specify Ithai's identity in a patriarchal society.
of Gibeah (מִגִּבְעָה - mi-Gib'ah): "From Gibeah." Gib'ah means "hill." This geographical tag is highly significant. Gibeah was the hometown of Israel's first king, Saul, and thus potentially a stronghold of Saulide loyalists (1 Sam 10:26). Furthermore, Gibeah was the infamous site of a deeply disturbing incident involving a Levite's concubine that nearly led to the annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 19-21). For a man from Gibeah to be among David's most loyal and elite warriors powerfully symbolizes the national reconciliation and unity achieved under David's reign. It suggests a complete shift in allegiance and a reintegration of the formerly disgraced tribe of Benjamin.
of the children of (מִבְּנֵי - mi-Bəney): "From the sons of" or "of the tribe of." This clarifies Ithai's tribal affiliation.
Benjamin (בִּנְיָמִן - Binyamin): The youngest of Jacob's sons, the tribe from which King Saul originated. The tribe of Benjamin initially harbored anti-Davidic sentiments, remaining loyal to Saul's house. Ithai's inclusion demonstrates that David successfully garnered support from all tribes, integrating those who were initially aligned against him. This underscores David's unifying leadership, blessed by God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

Ithai the son of Ribai: This full name identifies a specific individual, distinguishing him from others and anchoring him within his family line. The inclusion in such an important list bestows honor upon both Ithai and his lineage.
of Gibeah, of the children of Benjamin: This phrase strongly ties Ithai to his geographical origin and tribal identity. It carries historical weight due to Gibeah's problematic past and Benjamin's unique relationship with the monarchy (Saul, then shift to David). It implies the success of David's unifying reign, demonstrating that even a member from the tribe associated with Saul and a place of historical shame is now a staunch supporter of the new kingdom.

1 Chronicles 11 31 Bonus Section

The Chronicler's purpose in listing these individuals was crucial for the post-exilic community. These lists helped re-establish identity, lineage, and connection to their historical roots, reminding them of God's faithfulness and their covenant heritage. Ithai's inclusion would have served this larger narrative.
The meticulous cataloging of these warriors also speaks to the importance of recognizing and honoring faithful service. It provides a human element to David's powerful and divinely supported reign, showing the commitment and sacrifices of individuals like Ithai.
While Ithai himself doesn't feature in any detailed narratives, his existence among David's chosen company, along with the very specific geographical and tribal identifiers, signifies a profound transformation from the fractured and internally warring nation of the Judges era and Saul's early reign to a unified kingdom under God's anointed king, David.

1 Chronicles 11 31 Commentary

1 Chronicles 11:31 provides a glimpse into the depth and breadth of loyalty David commanded, even from potentially unexpected quarters. Ithai, son of Ribai, from Gibeah of Benjamin, stands as a testament to David's success in unifying Israel. His presence in this elite list of "mighty men" is not merely a name in a roster but a symbolic representation of the new reality under David: national unity. Gibeah, Saul's former capital and a city marked by previous tribal strife, now yields a loyal warrior to David. This indicates the successful absorption of the Benjamite tribe—which was heavily affected by earlier events and also initially supported Saul's lineage—into David's consolidated kingdom. It emphasizes that under divine providence, David drew faithful individuals from every tribe, demonstrating that God had chosen and blessed him to rule over a unified people. The list, therefore, serves as both a historical record of individual prowess and a theological statement about God's unifying work through David.