1 Chronicles 11:1-19 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Chronicles 11:1-19. Let’s go!
1 Chronicles 11:1-3 (NIV)
1 All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.
2 In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'”
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the LORD had promised through Samuel.
On verses 1-3: David stepped into his destiny as king of Israel with the affirmation, encouragement and empowering of others. Who is someone who could use your affirmation, encouragement and empowering today? When you go out of your way to affirm, encourage and empower another person, you help them step into their God-given calling.
1 Chronicles 11:4-5 (NIV)
4 David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites who lived there
5 said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David.
On verses 4-5: David made the place which the Jebusites said he could not conquer the very place where he would take up residence: Jerusalem. Similarly, our hearts were held captive by sin and Satan, who said, “Son of David, you will not get in here.” But nevertheless Jesus the Son of David found a way to capture our hearts and defeat our enemy, and now He takes up residence in us.
1 Chronicles 11:6 (NIV)
6 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.
On verse 6: Considering all the harm that Joab would later do to Israel and to David personally, David probably lived to regret this decision to make Joab his commander-in-chief. Perhaps David should not have left such an important decision about who would be his commander-in-chief to a one-off contest like this. Perhaps instead David should have put Joab through a longer period of testing before promoting him. For David needed his commander in chief to be fully trustworthy, reliable, to have good judgment and a similar heart, value system and vision as David. Unfortunately, Joab, though talented and driven, lacked these other essential traits.
What can we learn from this? When deciding to promote someone, do not leave that decision up to chance or make that choice lightly. Carefully consider the track record of the person to make sure that they are not just a one hit wonder, but someone who is truly trustworthy over a long period of time and who shares the same values and vision as you.
1 Chronicles 11:7-9 (NIV)
7 David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David.
8 He built up the city around it, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city.
9 And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him.
On verses 7-9: Notice that made David powerful was not the resources he had or the people that he had, but more importantly it was “because the Lord Almighty was with him.” (v9) The key to growing in power, strength and wisdom is a close relationship with God.
1 Chronicles 11:10-11 (NIV)
10 These were the chiefs of David’s mighty men–they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the LORD had promised–
11 this is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam, a Hacmonite, was chief of the officers; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
On verses 10-19: Here the Chronicler starts his list of David’s mighty men. David’s mighty men were capable leaders and brave fighters who stood beside David in his battles and helped establish his kingdom. The Chronicler starts with David’s Three, who consisted of Jashobeam the Hacmonite, Eleazor the Ahohite, and Shammah the Hararite (2 Samuel 23:11). Each of the Three had impressive individual accomplishments, some of which are described in verses 11-14.
But perhaps the most impressive feat of the Three is described in verses 15 to 19, when David announces that he would love to get a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, which was occupied by Philistines. In an effort to fulfill their leader’s wish, the Three secretly break through Philistine ranks and risk their lives just to get David a cup of water from that well.
When David is presented with this cup of water and hears about how the Three risked their lives just to get him this cup, David refuses to drink it. Instead, he pours it out as a drink offering before the Lord (2 Samuel 23:16). Why did he “waste” the water that the Three worked so hard to get him? He wasn’t wasting it. Rather, by pouring it out before the Lord, David was saying, “God, I am humbled by the love, devotion and sacrifice these men have shown me. Remember them and bless them for the way they served me. I don’t take their service for granted.”
What can we learn from this? When you choose to get behind your God-given leader’s vision and serve them with humility, courage and self-sacrifice, you not only bless your leader; you are also giving God a pleasing offering. How well do you get behind your God-given leader’s vision and serve that vision with humility, courage and self-sacrifice? Your answer to that question will in many ways determine how much God will honour and bless you down the road.
Heavenly Father, may I be someone who affirms and empowers others. May I wise in how I promote others. And may I be one who serves my God-given leaders with courage, humility, and self-sacrifice, for this pleases You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
