1 Chronicles 11:6 kjv
And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
1 Chronicles 11:6 nkjv
Now David said, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain." And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief.
1 Chronicles 11:6 niv
David had said, "Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief." Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.
1 Chronicles 11:6 esv
David said, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander." And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief.
1 Chronicles 11:6 nlt
David had said to his troops, "Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!" And Joab, the son of David's sister Zeruiah, was first to attack, so he became the commander of David's armies.
1 Chronicles 11 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Note) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 11:4-5 | David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, that is, Jebus... | Context of capture |
| 2 Sam 5:6-8 | And the king and his men went to Jerusalem... Joab struck the Jebusites. | Parallel account of the event |
| 1 Chr 27:34 | And Joab was commander of the king's army. | Joab's established role |
| 2 Sam 8:16 | And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army. | Joab's commandership reaffirmed |
| Josh 15:63 | But the people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites... | Jerusalem previously unconquered |
| Judg 1:21 | But the people of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites... | Jerusalem remaining stronghold |
| Josh 10:1 | Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard... | Earlier mention of Jerusalem king |
| Ps 78:67-68 | He rejected the tent of Joseph; he chose the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion, which he loves. | Divine choice of Jerusalem |
| 2 Sam 5:9 | And David lived in the stronghold and called it the City of David. | Naming of Jerusalem |
| 1 Ki 2:5-6 | Now you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me... | Joab's problematic character |
| 1 Ki 2:33-34 | So the Lord returned his blood... Joab was buried. | Joab's death due to ruthlessness |
| 1 Sam 17:25 | The man who kills him, the king will enrich... | Reward for valor example |
| Prov 16:32 | Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. | Self-control vs. taking a city |
| Eccl 9:11 | The race is not to the swift... | Effort vs. outcome |
| Deut 20:10-12 | When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace... | Rules of engagement with cities |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition... Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. | Motivation for service |
| Isa 2:3-4 | For out of Zion shall go forth the law... | Jerusalem as source of teaching |
| Zech 8:3 | Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. | Jerusalem's spiritual importance |
| Neh 11:1-2 | And the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. | Re-establishment of Jerusalem |
| Heb 12:22-23 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. | New Testament fulfillment |
1 Chronicles 11 verses
1 Chronicles 11 6 Meaning
This verse recounts David's strategic offer of high command to the warrior who would first conquer the formidable Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem. It then highlights Joab, son of Zeruiah, for decisively leading the assault, thereby securing the coveted position as chief and commander. This action marked the capture of Jerusalem, establishing it as the capital city of Israel, known as the City of David.
1 Chronicles 11 6 Context
This verse is situated immediately after David's anointing as king over all Israel in Hebron. With his unified kingdom, David's immediate strategic goal was to secure Jerusalem (Jebus), a long-standing Jebusite stronghold located centrally between Judah and Benjamin, making it an ideal capital. Despite Israelite presence in the land for centuries, the Jebusites maintained control over this formidable city. David's challenge in 1 Chronicles 11:6 was a call to military valor, crucial for taking such a difficult target. Joab's successful action secured the city for David and consolidated Joab's position as the trusted, though at times controversial, military chief for the duration of David's reign. The capture of Jerusalem marked a pivotal moment in the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and laid the groundwork for its future as the spiritual and political heart of Israel.
1 Chronicles 11 6 Word analysis
- And David said: Reveals David's leadership and strategic thinking. He proposes a challenge and a reward.
- "Whoever strikes" (מַכֵּה, makkeh): Hiphil participle, indicating decisive action to defeat or kill. It's not just a superficial blow but implies total victory over the Jebusites.
- "the Jebusites" (יְבוּסִי, Yĕvûsi): Refers to the inhabitants of Jebus, the ancient name for Jerusalem. This was a Canaanite tribe that maintained their stronghold even after Joshua's conquest and the era of Judges, signifying the difficulty of this military objective.
- "first" (בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה, bârishonah): Emphasizes speed, initiative, and decisive action as the criterion for the reward. It fostered competition among the warriors for the honor.
- "shall be chief" (לְרֹאשׁ, lĕro'sh): "Head," denoting the highest rank or leader, likely indicating command over the newly captured city or the primary military command.
- "and commander" (וּלְשָׂר, uleśar): "Prince," "captain," or "official." This confirms a position of significant authority, reinforcing the magnitude of the offered reward. It signifies a major role in the administration or military leadership.
- "And Joab the son of Zeruiah": Identifies Joab, David's nephew (son of his sister Zeruiah). He was a fiercely loyal, yet often ruthless and cunning, military leader in David's service. His family connection established his presence in David's inner circle.
- "went up first" (וַיַּעַל ... בָּרִאשֹׁנָה, vayya‘al... bârishonah): "Went up" implies scaling the formidable defenses or walls of the city. The repetition of "first" highlights his successful undertaking of the challenge, showcasing his daring and effectiveness.
- "so he became chief" (וַיְהִי לְרֹאשׁ, vayhî lĕro'sh): This confirms the fulfillment of David's promise. Joab's bravery and decisive action directly resulted in his appointment to a paramount position, securing his military authority under King David.
1 Chronicles 11 6 Bonus section
- Meritocratic Leadership: David's offer exemplifies a merit-based approach to leadership selection, rewarding courage and decisive action, which was vital for consolidating his newly unified kingdom.
- Significance of Jerusalem's Location: Its natural defenses made it a strong fortress. Its neutral tribal affiliation (not belonging explicitly to Judah or Benjamin) made it an ideal choice for a capital city, promoting unity among the diverse tribes of Israel.
- The Chronicler's Emphasis: The Chronicler's account often focuses on the positive, foundational aspects of David's reign related to the establishment of the kingdom and preparations for the temple. Joab's initiative here, securing the capital, fits well within this theological framework, highlighting the key players in God's plan for Israel.
- Joab's Legacy: While 1 Chronicles does not dwell on Joab's more controversial actions as heavily as 2 Samuel, this verse sets the stage for his enduring, yet complex, role as David's primary military commander, a position he held through most of David's reign due to his undeniable effectiveness.
1 Chronicles 11 6 Commentary
1 Chronicles 11:6 encapsulates a pivotal moment in David's reign: the strategic capture of Jerusalem. David's genius as a leader is evident in his challenge—offering the coveted role of chief commander to whoever dared to take the impenetrable Jebusite fortress first. This incentive-based leadership motivated his best warriors. Joab's immediate response and success demonstrate his characteristic daring and military prowess. His swift ascent into the stronghold, possibly through a water shaft as indicated in the parallel 2 Samuel account, cemented his role as David's loyal and effective, albeit often morally questionable, commander-in-chief. This event not only provided David with a neutral, centrally located capital that united the tribes of Israel but also laid the foundation for Jerusalem's future significance as the spiritual and political heartland, later known as the City of David and the site of God's temple.