I Chronicles 11:10 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 11:10 Commentary: Strengthened in the Kingdom
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Discover why the Chronicler highlights David's mighty men strengthening themselves with him to fulfill God's word.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The verse introduces the list of David's mighty men, emphasizing they helped establish his kingdom in fulfillment of God's promise.
- Key words: mighty men (gibborim), strengthened themselves (hitpael of chazaq), kingdom (malkuth), word of Yahweh (davar Yahweh).
- Main debate: Whether the Chronicler added the clause about making David king to reinterpret the list theologically.
- Theological theme: God's sovereignty and human cooperation in fulfilling His promises.
- Best use: To illustrate faithful service in God's kingdom and the importance of God's word as foundation.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to Yahweh’s word concerning Israel.
KJV King James Version 1769
These 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Jehovah concerning Israel.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And these are heads of the mighty ones whom David hath, who are strengthening themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to cause him to reign, according to the word of Jehovah, over Israel.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who shewed themselves valiant with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Jehovah concerning Israel.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
These are the chief of the valiant man of David, who helped him to be made king over all Israel, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke to Israel.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Estos son los principales de los valientes que David tuvo, y los que le ayudaron en su reino, con todo Israel, para hacerle rey sobre Israel, conforme á la palabra de Jehová.
Estes foram os líderes dos guerreiros que Davi teve, os que lhe deram forte apoio em seu reinado, com todo Israel, para o fazerem rei sobre Israel, conforme a palavra do SENHOR.
Voici les chefs des vaillants hommes qui étaient au service de David, et qui l’ aidèrent avec tout Israël à assurer sa domination, afin de l’ établir roi, selon la parole de l’ Éternel au sujet d’ Israël.
Dies sind die Obersten unter den Helden Davids, die sich redlich mit ihm hielten in seinem Königreiche bei ganz Israel, daß man ihn zum König machte nach dem Wort des HERRN über Israel.
Dezen nu waren de hoofden der helden, die David had, die zich dapper bij hem gedragen hebben in zijn koninkrijk bij geheel Israel, om hem koning te maken, naar het woord des HEEREN over Israel.
Questi sono i capi dei valorosi guerrieri che furono al servizio di Davide, e che l’aiutarono con tutto Israele ad assicurare il suo dominio per stabilirlo re, secondo la parola dell’Eterno riguardo ad Israele.
A cić są najorzedniejsi rycerze, których miał Dawid, którzy się mężnie starali z nim o królestwo jego ze wszystkim Izraelem, aby go królem uczynili według słowa Pańskiego nad Izraelem.
Вот главные из сильных у Давида, которые крепко подвизались с ним в царстве его, вместе со всем Израилем, чтобы воцарить его, по слову Господню, над Израилем,
以 下記錄跟隨 大衛 勇士 的首領，就是奮勇 幫助他 得國、照著耶和華 吩咐 以色列人 的話、與 以色列人 一同立他作王的。
Now these are the chief of David's men of war who were his strong supporters in the kingdom, and, with all Israel, made him king, as the Lord had said about Israel.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 11:10
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse provides the theological framework for the list of David's warriors that follows. Barnes notes that 'strengthened themselves' means they 'strenuously assisted with all Israel in making David king.' Keil and Delitzsch observe that the Chronicler has enlarged the superscription found in 2 Samuel 23 to inform readers of the design: these are the chiefs of David's heroes who 'stood by him strongly' in establishing his kingdom. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, citing Keil, state that in the Samuel parallel there is no reference to the choice of a king; the clause is introduced here to assign a reason for placing the list immediately after David's election and conquest of Jerusalem. Wesley adds that David himself ascribed his success not to his mighty men but to the Lord of hosts, yet the Chronicler emphasizes that these heroes were instruments of God's purpose. The consensus is clear: human valour and divine promise work together.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Theological reinterpretation: Keil and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown argue the Chronicler added the clause to orient the list toward David's kingship and God's promise.
- Historical record: Barnes and Geneva take the verse as describing actual events: these men literally assisted in making David king.
- Literary bridge: Cambridge Bible suggests the verse connects the preceding narrative of David's elevation to the list of warriors.
What is clear: The verse affirms that the mighty men's actions were in accordance with God's word concerning Israel, linking human loyalty to divine purpose.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of the superscription | Commentators agree the verse explains why the list is placed here: to show these men helped establish David's kingdom according to God's word. | Some (e.g., Keil) see the clause as an addition by the Chronicler to orient the reader; others (e.g., Barnes) take it as a straightforward historical description. |
| Relationship to 2 Samuel 23 | Both passages contain a core list of David's mighty men. | The Samuel parallel lacks the reference to making David king. The Chronicler may have used a different source or adapted the list for his theological purposes (Keil, Cambridge Bible). |
| Meaning of 'strengthened themselves' | The hitpael form indicates voluntary, active exertion. | Does it emphasize their loyalty to David personally (Geneva) or their role in the national project of establishing the kingdom (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown)? |
| Role of 'all Israel' | The verse emphasizes national unity under David. | Whether this reflects historical reality at the time of David's early reign or is a later idealization by the Chronicler. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse opens a register of David's elite warriors, a list the Chronicler has moved from its original location near the end of David's reign (2 Samuel 23) to this earlier point in the narrative. The context matters. Just before this, David has been anointed king over all Israel and has captured Jerusalem. The Chronicler is writing for a post-exilic community that needs to understand how God's promises are fulfilled through faithful human action. The Hebrew verb translated 'showed themselves strong' or 'strengthened themselves' is the hitpael participle of chazaq (H2388), a reflexive form meaning they exerted themselves, held firmly. It is not passive; these men actively chose to stand with David.
The phrase 'together with all Israel' echoes a theme throughout Chronicles: national unity under a king chosen by God. The list itself includes names of commanders who later served in David's twelve monthly courses (Cambridge Bible). By inserting 'according to Yahweh's word concerning Israel,' the Chronicler ties this register to the divine promises made through Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1-12) and later through Nathan. The 'word of the Lord' here likely refers to the substance of those promises, David would shepherd Israel. This verse thus reframes a military roll call as a chapter in salvation history. The heroes are not just brave; they are participants in God's plan.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts, with no major discrepancies between the Masoretic text and the versions.
Reception History
This verse has been read primarily as a window into the Chronicler's theology. Reformation-era commentators like the Geneva Bible editors saw it as highlighting the virtue of faithful service to God's anointed. Matthew Henry used it to point beyond the human actors to God's presence: 'David ascribed his success, not to the hosts he had, but to the Lord of hosts.' In more recent scholarship, the verse has been central to discussions of the Chronicler's method of reworking earlier biblical material to emphasize divine sovereignty and human response. The phrase 'according to Yahweh's word' has been a touchstone for those exploring how Old Testament historiography interprets events as the fulfillment of prophecy.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God's word precedes human action. The verse says the mighty men acted 'according to Yahweh’s word.' Their service was not random loyalty but a response to a divine promise already given.
- Strength is found in community and purpose. These men 'strengthened themselves with him' and 'with all Israel.' They did not act alone. Shared purpose and unity under God's call gave them courage.
- Faithful service establishes God's kingdom. The Chronicler places this list right after David's rise to show that human cooperation is how God's reign takes root on earth.
Five-point outline
- God chooses a king and promises a kingdom.
- God raises up warriors to help establish that kingdom.
- These warriors actively 'strengthen themselves', they take initiative.
- Their service is done together with all Israel, not in isolation.
- Their whole effort is measured against 'the word of Yahweh,' not just personal ambition.
Illustration hooks
- A neighbourhood watch group that forms after a promise from the mayor to improve safety. Each member contributes skills, but the shared mission holds them together.
- A church planting team that moves to a new city. The pastor has a clear call, but the team's willingness to strengthen themselves and each other is what establishes the congregation.
- A group of volunteers rebuilding after a disaster. The official plan comes from the authorities, but the actual work happens when people 'strengthen themselves' and act together.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Chronicler list so many names? Does God really care about individual contributions?
- What does it mean for me to 'strengthen myself' with my leaders at church?
- How can I know whether my efforts are aligned with 'God's word' and not just my own good ideas?
Leading a Discussion
This verse sits at a turning point in Chronicles. David is king, Jerusalem is taken, and now we meet the people who made it possible. The Chronicler wants us to see that God's promises are not magic, they require human hands and hearts. As you discuss, pay attention to the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Chronicles 11:10 aloud. What stands out to you about how the verse introduces the mighty men?
- The Hebrew verb for 'strengthened themselves' is reflexive. Why might the writer choose that form instead of saying God strengthened them?
- How does the phrase 'according to Yahweh’s word' shape the meaning of everything else in the verse?
- Compare this verse with its parallel in 2 Samuel 23:8. Why do you think the Chronicler added the reference to making David king?
- What does this verse teach about the relationship between God's promises and human effort?
- In what areas of your life do you need to 'strengthen yourself' to participate in what God is doing?
- How can your small group support one another in actively serving God's purposes, rather than just waiting for them to happen?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Samuel 16:1 | Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.” |
| I Samuel 16:12 | He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.” |
| I Samuel 16:14 | Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. |
| II Samuel 3:17 | Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you. |
| II Samuel 3:18 | Now then do it! For Yahweh has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’” |
| II Samuel 3:21 | Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. |
| II Samuel 23:8 | These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; he was called Adino the Eznite, who killed eight hundred at one time. |
| II Samuel 23:39 | and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that the phrase "strengthened themselves" means they exerted themselves forcefully to make David king. He points out that this list of David's warriors belongs to his early reign at Hebron, unlike in Samuel where similar lists appear near the end of his life.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary treats the list of David's mighty men as a composite record, assembled from different sources at different times. It notes that parts of the eulogy for Abishai and Benaiah appear to be quoted from a lost poem, and that Chronicles adds sixteen names not found in Samuel.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The note highlights that these warriors did not merely support David for personal or political reasons; they united with him to establish his kingdom because God had promised he would be king. Their allegiance was an act of obedience to the Lord's declared will.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB points out that this list of David's mighty warriors is prefaced by a specific reason: they helped make him king, a detail not present in the parallel Samuel account. The Chronicles writer added this reference to explain why the list follows David's election and conquest of Jerusalem.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch point out that the Chronicler enlarged the superscription to show these heroes helped establish David's kingdom according to God's word. They note the register lists only the chiefs, not all the valiant men who supported David, and that a copyist's error dropped three lines, causing Shammah's deed to be wrongly attached to Eleazar.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange observes that the Chronicler deliberately highlights only the bright side of David’s reign, omitting the rival kingdom of Ishbosheth and Joab’s violent actions. This selective glorification of David’s kingdom as an ideal theocracy also leads the author to place the hero list at the start rather than the end of his history.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that David would not drink the water his men risked their lives to bring, instead pouring it out as an offering to the Lord. David saw the water as the price of his men's blood and would not treat it as ordinary refreshment, honoring both their sacrifice and God.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights that David credited his success