1 Chronicles 11:39 kjv
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
1 Chronicles 11:39 nkjv
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armorbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah),
1 Chronicles 11:39 niv
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,
1 Chronicles 11:39 esv
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
1 Chronicles 11:39 nlt
Zelek from Ammon;
Naharai from Beeroth, the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah;
1 Chronicles 11 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Parallels / Lists of Mighty Men | ||
| 2 Sam 23:37 | Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armorbearer of Joab... | Parallel passage in Samuel's list of mighty men. |
| 1 Chr 11:10 | These are the chiefs of David's mighty men... | Introduction to the list of David's heroes. |
| 1 Chr 27:1-34 | David's monthly army divisions and their commanders, including mighty men. | Further detail on organization and leaders. |
| Significance of "Armorbearer" | ||
| 1 Sam 14:1 | Jonathan said to his young armorbearer, "Come, let's go over to..." | Example of an armorbearer's trusted and close relationship. |
| Judges 9:54 | Abimelech called to his armorbearer and said to him, "Draw your sword..." | Armorbearer as immediate aid in battle, position of trust and obedience. |
| 1 Sam 16:21 | So David came to Saul and stood before him; and Saul loved him greatly... | David served Saul as an armorbearer, a crucial position of service. |
| 1 Sam 31:4-5 | Saul said to his armorbearer, "Draw your sword and run me through..." | The armorbearer's intimate presence and duty. |
| Inclusion of Foreigners/Gentiles | ||
| Deut 23:3 | "No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD..." | The specific Deuteronomic law that Zelek's inclusion seems to override by merit. |
| Josh 9:17, 23 | Gibeonites became "hewers of wood and drawers of water..." | Naharai's origin from a "cursed" group, yet exalted by service. |
| Ruth 1:16 | But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back..." | Loyalty of a foreign woman (Moabite) serving God's people. |
| Matt 1:5-6 | ...Rahab the mother of Boaz...Boaz the father of Obed...Obed the father... | Inclusion of foreign women (Rahab, Ruth) in Jesus' genealogy. |
| Is 56:6-7 | "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD...these I will bring..." | Prophecy of God's future inclusion of Gentiles in His house of prayer. |
| Zech 8:20-23 | "Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD Almighty..." | Future universal drawing of nations to Jerusalem. |
| Matt 28:19 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." | Jesus' Great Commission, explicit inclusion of all peoples. |
| Acts 10:34-35 | Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God..." | God shows no partiality; welcomes people from every nation who fear Him. |
| Eph 2:19-20 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens... | Gentiles becoming part of God's household through Christ. |
| Col 3:11 | Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian... | Unity and equality of believers in Christ regardless of ethnicity. |
| Rev 7:9 | After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could count... | Vision of all tribes, peoples, languages worshipping God. |
| Joab's Prominence | ||
| 1 Chr 2:16 | The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three. | Confirms Joab's lineage and familial relation to David. |
| 1 Chr 19:10-15 | Joab wisely delegates battle and demonstrates leadership. | Shows Joab as David's capable, trusted general. |
| 2 Sam 18:5-15 | Joab disregards David's orders and kills Absalom. | Highlights Joab's controversial authority and independent decision-making. |
| 1 Kin 2:5-6, 28-34 | David's charge to Solomon regarding Joab and Solomon executing Joab. | Joab's powerful position until David's death, then his fate. |
1 Chronicles 11 verses
1 Chronicles 11 39 Meaning
This verse continues the enumeration of David's elite warriors, specifically identifying two men: Zelek, an Ammonite, and Naharai, a Berothite who served as the armorbearer to Joab, the son of Zeruiah. It highlights their unique identities and their trusted roles within David's army, emphasizing their inclusion despite their non-Israelite origins.
1 Chronicles 11 39 Context
First Chronicles chapter 11 narrates David's anointing as king over all Israel in Hebron, his capture of the stronghold of Zion, and crucially, it lists his "mighty men" – the most valorous warriors who aided him in establishing and securing his kingdom. Verse 39 is part of an extended section (verses 10-47) that names these heroic figures, starting with the "Three" and moving on to other distinguished warriors. Historically, this period marks the zenith of David's reign, where the nascent kingdom was consolidating its power and identity under God's chosen leader. The chronicler emphasizes the roles of individuals and lineages that contributed to David's success and ultimately, to the temple builders and priests, as the Chronicler's primary aim was to trace the legitimate lineage from David and his heroes for the post-exilic community.
1 Chronicles 11 39 Word analysis
- Zelek (צֶלֶק - Tzeleq): A proper name, the exact etymology is debated but possibly related to "to cleave" or "to split." Nothing specific is known about Zelek beyond his inclusion in this list and its parallel in 2 Samuel. His very mention emphasizes individual recognition within a collective force.
- the Ammonite (הָעַמֹּונִי - ha-`Amoni): Highly significant. The Ammonites were historical and bitter enemies of Israel, descendants of Lot through an incestuous relationship (Gen 19:38). Deuteronomy 23:3 explicitly states, "An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever." Zelek's presence among David's mighty men, therefore, underscores a principle: personal merit, loyalty to God's chosen king, and valor could transcend national/ethnic barriers and even override the stricter communal prohibitions of the Mosaic Law for individual service. This suggests that divine blessing was not solely confined to ethnic Israelites.
- Naharai (נַחֲרַי - Naḥaray): A proper name, possibly meaning "snorter" or "noisy." Like Zelek, little is known about Naharai besides his listing as one of David's mighty men and his role. His mention ensures the complete record of those who served.
- the Berothite (הַבְּאֵרֹותִי - ha-Be'erothi): Indicates origin from Beeroth, one of the four Gibeonite cities (Josh 9:17). The Gibeonites famously tricked Joshua into a covenant, resulting in them being condemned to perpetual service as "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the assembly (Josh 9:23). Thus, like the Ammonite, a Berothite (a Gibeonite) occupying such a prominent and trusted position is a remarkable testament to David's ability to integrate diverse individuals and God's capacity to elevate the lowly, reflecting His wider redemptive plan beyond strict nationalistic boundaries.
- the armorbearer (נֹשֵׂא כְּלֵי - nose' kley): Literally "bearer of equipment" or "carrier of weapons." This was an extremely trusted and close personal attendant to a military leader. The armorbearer carried the leader's shield, weapons, and provisions; he stood ready to defend, act as a messenger, or fight alongside. This position signified loyalty, intimacy, and a deep understanding of the leader's mind and movements. It was a role of significant honor and responsibility.
- of Joab the son of Zeruiah (יוֹאָב בֶּן־צְרוּיָה - Yo'av ben-Tzeruyah): This clearly identifies Joab as Naharai's principal. Joab was David's nephew (David's sister Zeruiah's son) and served as the commander-in-chief of David's army throughout most of his reign. He was a formidable and often ruthless military leader, absolutely crucial to David's success in unifying Israel. Naharai's service to such a powerful figure implies his own competence, reliability, and high standing within the military hierarchy, underscoring the trust placed in him.
1 Chronicles 11 39 Bonus section
The inclusion of Zelek the Ammonite and Naharai the Berothite in David's elite forces serves as a profound precursor to the New Testament's radical inclusivism. It challenges the ethnocentric tendencies often found even within a covenant people. David, a "man after God's own heart," embraced a meritocracy of loyalty and courage, signaling that God's favor was not exclusively confined by Israelite lineage or tribal purity laws regarding social interaction with these groups. This foresight into a broader community foreshadows how God's Spirit would later empower individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of their historical animosities or social status, to become part of a spiritual army, building Christ's Church. It exemplifies that God judges hearts and deeds, not merely birth.
1 Chronicles 11 39 Commentary
1 Chronicles 11:39, while seemingly a simple continuation of a list, is profoundly significant in its portrayal of God's inclusive work through David's kingdom. The inclusion of Zelek, an Ammonite, and Naharai, a Berothite (from the Gibeonites), among David's elite "mighty men" subverts prevailing societal norms and even the specific prohibitions of the Mosaic Law concerning certain foreign peoples. It underscores that God's plan often transcends ethnic and tribal lines, valuing faithfulness and valor over ancestry alone. Naharai's specific role as Joab's armorbearer highlights a position of immense trust and loyalty, reinforcing the idea that competence and unwavering devotion, regardless of origin, earned a place of honor within David's army, a reflection of how God builds His kingdom with individuals from all backgrounds who commit to Him. These instances are divine glimpses into God's future plan of salvation for all nations, initiated through Abraham's seed.