1 Chronicles 11

David Made King Over All Israel

1 All the tribes of Israel rolled up to David at Hebron and said, “You our own flesh and blood, man. We fam.”

2 “Even when Saul was king, you were the one leading us in and outta battle. And the LORD told you straight, ‘You are going to be the shepherd of My people and rule over Israel.’”

3 So the elders of Israel came through to Hebron, and David made a covenant with them before the LORD. Then they poured the oil on him and crowned him king over Israel, just like God said.

4 Then David and his crew marched to Jerusalem to confront the Jebusites who were living there. The Jebusites told David, “You are not getting’ in here.”

5 But David was not phased, he took the fortress of Zion anyway. After that, they called it the City of David.

6 David said, “Whoever steps up first and smashes the Jebusites, I will make him commander.” Joab, Zeruiah’s son, stepped up first, so he got the job.

7 David moved into the fortress and made it his crib, that is why it is called the City of David.

8 He built up the city from the surrounding structures inward, and Joab handled the rest of the repairs.

9 David kept leveling up, growing stronger, because the LORD of hosts had his back.

David’s Mighty Men

10 These were the top warriors rolling with David. They had his back when he rose to power, and they made sure the kingdom stayed tight, just like the LORD promised.

11 First up, Jashobeam the Hachmonite. He was leader of the “Three.” One time, he snatched his spear and murked 300 men in one shot, solo.

12 Right next to him was Eleazar son of Dodo from Ahoah, another one of the “Three.”

13 He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines rolled up for war. Israel’s army got scared and bounced.

14 But David and Eleazar held their ground in the middle of a barley field, stood their ground, and the LORD gave them a major win.

15 Three of the top 30 chiefs went down to the cave of Adullam where David was hiding. The Philistines had set up shop in the valley of Rephaim.

16 David was chilling in the stronghold, and the Philistines had Bethlehem locked down.

17 David got thirsty and said, “Man, if only I could get a drink from the well by the gate of Bethlehem.”

18 So them three mighty men broke through enemy lines, scooped some water from that Bethlehem well, and brought it back to David. But David would not drink it, he poured it out before the LORD.

19 He said, “God forbid I drink this. That water is like blood, they risked their lives for this!” So he gave it as a drink offering to the LORD. That is the kinda stuff these warriors did.

20 Abishai, Joab’s brother, was leader of the Thirty. He raised his spear and took out 300 dudes. He was highly respected.

21 He had a name among the Thirty but did not break into the elite Three.

22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel, was a beast. He pulled off legendary moves, He took out two of Moab’s top hitters, Chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day and killed it,

23 And squared up with a massive Egyptian, a dude over 7 feet tall with a spear like a weaver’s beam. Benaiah only had a stick, but he snatched the spear out that man’s hand and used it on him.

24 That is the kinda stuff Benaiah did. His name rang loud among the Thirty.

25 He was more honored than the other Thirty, but he did not break into the Three. Still, David made him head over his own personal security squad.

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

26 Here is the rest of the mighty warriors: Asahel (Joab’s brother), Elhanan (son of Dodo from Bethlehem),

27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

28 Ira (son of Ikkesh from Tekoa), Abiezer from Anathoth,

29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled (son of Baanah from Netophah),

31 Ithai (son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin), Benaiah from Pirathon,

32 Hurai from the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,

33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34 The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan (son of Shagee from Harar),

35 Ahiam (son of Sacar the Hararite), Eliphal (son of Ur),

36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,

37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai (son of Ezbai),

38 Joel (brother of Nathan), Mibhar (son of Hagri),

39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite (armor-bearer for Joab, son of Zeruiah),

40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad (son of Ahlai),

42 Adina (son of Shiza the Reubenite, leader over 30 Reubenite warriors),

43 Hanan (son of Maacah), Joshaphat the Mithnite,

44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel (sons of Hotham from Aroer),

45 Jediael (son of Shimri), Joha his brother from Tiz),

46 Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah (sons of Elnaam), Ithmah the Moabite,

47 Eliel, Obed, And Jaasiel the Mezobaite.