Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
Read it in contextDavid’s Mighty Men
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 11:10 (1 Chronicles 11:10 to 1 Chronicles 11:47).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The account moves from Saul's death to David's accession and the gathering of supporters.
11:10These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
11:11And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
11:12And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.
11:13He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
11:14And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.
11:15Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
11:16And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.
11:17And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
11:18And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
11:19And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
11:20And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three.
11:21Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
11:22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
11:23And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
11:24These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.
11:25Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
11:26Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
11:27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
11:28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,
11:29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
11:30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
11:31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
11:32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
11:33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
11:34The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
11:35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
11:36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
11:37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
11:38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,
11:39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
11:40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
11:41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
11:42Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
11:43Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
11:44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
11:45Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
11:46Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
11:47Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution. The historical writer or compiler is commonly called the Chronicler; an exact personal identification is not certain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Chronicles 11:1–12:40): David, Israel's elders, and the warriors and tribal groups joining him are described in the establishment of his kingship. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after the Babylonian exile, reconnecting its families, worship, and identity with Israel's earlier history. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 9:1; 1 Chronicles 9:2. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? David’s Mighty Men. Read 1 Chronicles 11:10 through 1 Chronicles 11:47 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The account moves from Saul's death to David's accession and the gathering of supporters. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The genealogies range widely through generations; the narrative then concentrates on David and preparations for the temple. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The tribal lines and settlements range through Israel. David's reign and temple preparations concentrate on Jerusalem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in David’s Mighty Men (1 Chronicles 11:10 to 1 Chronicles 11:47).
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 11:10. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? David's house and promised successor belong to the royal line later connected to Jesus. Preserve the immediate reference to Solomon where temple-building responsibilities are stated. See 1 Chronicles 17:11, 1 Chronicles 22:9, Luke 1:32. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Consider faithful preparation, ordered service, and the contribution of many people to worship. Genealogies describe particular family relationships and should not be turned into a universal ranking of personal worth. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles 11
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The account moves from Saul's death to David's accession and the gathering of supporters.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The account moves from Saul's death to David's accession and the gathering of supporters.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography.
Connection to the wholeDavid arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.