1 Chronicles 11:1 Commentary

In this chapter is repeated, I. The elevation of David to the throne, immediately upon the death of Saul, by common consent (Ch1 11:1-3). II. His gaining the castle of Zion out of the hands of the Jebusites (Ch1 11:4-9). III. The catalogue of the worthies and great men of his kingdom (v. 10-47).

David is here brought to the possession. I. Of the throne of Israel, after he had reigned seven years in Hebron, over Judah only. In consideration of his relation to them (Ch1 11:1), his former good services, and especially the divine designation (Ch1 11:2), they anointed him their king: he covenanted to protect them, and they to bear faith and true allegiance to him, Ch1 11:3. Observe, 1. God's counsels will be fulfilled at last, whatever difficulties lie in the way. If God had said, David shall rule, it is in vain to oppose it. 2. Men that have long stood in their own light, when they have long wearied themselves with their lying vanities, it is to be hoped, will understand the things that belong to their peace and return to their own mercies. 3. Between prince and people there is an original contract, which both ought religiously to observe. If ever any prince might have claimed an absolute despotic power, David might, and might as safely as any have been entrusted with it; and yet he made a covenant with the people, took the coronation-oath, to rule by law. II. Of the strong-hold of Zion, which was held by the Jebusites till David's time. Whether David had a particular eye upon it as a place fit to make a royal city, or whether he had a promise of it from God, it seems that one of his first exploits was to make himself master of that fort; and, when he had it, he called it the city of David, Ch1 11:7. To this reference is had, Psa 2:6. I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. See here what quickens and engages resolution in great undertakings. 1. Opposition. When the Jebusites set David at defiance, and said, Thou shalt not come hither. he resolved to force it, whatever it cost him. 2. Prospect of preferment. When David proposed to give the general's place to him that would lead the attack upon the castle of Zion, Joab was fired with the proposal, and he went up first, and was chief. It has been said, "Take away honour out of the soldier's eye and you cut off the spurs from his heels."

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 11 This chapter treats of David's being anointed king by all Israel, Ch1 11:1, which agrees with Sa2 5:1 See Gill on Sa2 5:1 See Gill on Sa2 5:2 See Gill on Sa2 5:3 and of his taking Jerusalem from the Jebusites, Ch1 11:4 the account of which we have Sa2 5:6. See Gill on Sa2 5:6 See Gill on Sa2 5:7 See Gill on Sa2 5:8 See Gill on Sa2 5:9 See Gill on Sa2 5:10 only here we are told, that it was Joab that smote the Jebusites first, and so was made chief captain according to David's promise; and that he also repaired the rest of the city David built round about; perhaps the fortifications demolished in taking it, Ch1 11:6 or rather, as others give the sense, he "saved alive" (b) those that remained in the city, after he had slain the lame and the blind; though a learned (d) writer conjectures it should be read, "and Joab was made the governor of the city"; and the Targum is,"Joab governed the rest of the city.''And then follows an account of David's mighty men and worthies, Ch1 11:10 of whom see the notes on Sa2 23:8, Sa2 23:9, Sa2 23:10, Sa2 23:11, Sa2 23:12, Sa2 23:13, Sa2 23:14, Sa2 23:15, Sa2 23:16, Sa2 23:17, Sa2 23:18, Sa2 23:19, Sa2 23:20, Sa2 23:21, Sa2 23:22, Sa2 23:23, Sa2 23:24, Sa2 23:25, Sa2 23:26, Sa2 23:27, Sa2 23:28, Sa2 23:29, Sa2 23:30, Sa2 23:31, Sa2 23:32, Sa2 23:33, Sa2 23:34, Sa2 23:35, Sa2 23:36, Sa2 23:37, Sa2 23:38, Sa2 23:39 and others are added here, Ch1 11:42 of whom we know no more than their names. (b) "vivas conservavit urbis reliquias", Junius & Tremellius; Strigelius in Poli Synops. in loc. (d) Dr. Kennicot's State of the Hebrew Text, dissert. 1. p. 54. Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 12

David is anointed king in Hebron, Ch1 11:1-3. He wars against the Jebusites, and takes their city, Ch1 11:4-9. An account of David's three mightiest heroes; and particularly of their hazardous exploit in bringing water from the well of Beth-lehem, Ch1 11:10-19. A list of the rest, and an account of their acts, vv. 20-47.

Then all Israel gathered themselves to David - See Sa2 5:1-10 (note), for the history contained in the first nine verses of this chapter, and the notes there.

DAVID MADE KING. (Ch1 11:1-3) Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron--This event happened on the death of Ish-bosheth (see on Sa2 5:1). The convention of the estates of the kingdom, the public and solemn homage of the representatives of the people, and the repeated anointing of the new king in their presence and by their direction, seem to have been necessary to the general acknowledgment of the sovereign on the part of the nation (compare Sa1 11:15).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 11 This chapter treats of David's being anointed king by all Israel, Ch1 11:1, which agrees with Sa2 5:1 See Gill on Sa2 5:1 See Gill on Sa2 5:2 See Gill on Sa2 5:3 and of his taking Jerusalem from the Jebusites, Ch1 11:4 the account of which we have Sa2 5:6. See Gill on Sa2 5:6 See Gill on Sa2 5:7 See Gill on Sa2 5:8 See Gill on Sa2 5:9 See Gill on Sa2 5:10 only here we are told, that it was Joab that smote the Jebusites first, and so was made chief captain according to David's promise; and that he also repaired the rest of the city David built round about; perhaps the fortifications demolished in taking it, Ch1 11:6 or rather, as others give the sense, he "saved alive" (b) those that remained in the city, after he had slain the lame and the blind; though a learned (d) writer conjectures it should be read, "and Joab was made the governor of the city"; and the Targum is,"Joab governed the rest of the city.''And then follows an account of David's mighty men and worthies, Ch1 11:10 of whom see the notes on Sa2 23:8, Sa2 23:9, Sa2 23:10, Sa2 23:11, Sa2 23:12, Sa2 23:13, Sa2 23:14, Sa2 23:15, Sa2 23:16, Sa2 23:17, Sa2 23:18, Sa2 23:19, Sa2 23:20, Sa2 23:21, Sa2 23:22, Sa2 23:23, Sa2 23:24, Sa2 23:25, Sa2 23:26, Sa2 23:27, Sa2 23:28, Sa2 23:29, Sa2 23:30, Sa2 23:31, Sa2 23:32, Sa2 23:33, Sa2 23:34, Sa2 23:35, Sa2 23:36, Sa2 23:37, Sa2 23:38, Sa2 23:39 and others are added here, Ch1 11:42 of whom we know no more than their names. (b) "vivas conservavit urbis reliquias", Junius & Tremellius; Strigelius in Poli Synops. in loc. (d) Dr. Kennicot's State of the Hebrew Text, dissert. 1. p. 54. Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 12