1 Chronicles 11


1 Chronicles 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE. This chapter contains the accounts of David's installation as the king of Israel, the conquest of Jerusalem, and a list of David's heroes. The whole chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingship of David.

Text

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language. It is divided into 47 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex, and Codex Leningradensis.
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Marchalianus.

Old Testament references

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    Structure

1 Chronicles 11 and 12 combine a 'variety of chronologically and geographically disparate lists' to establish the unity of "all Israel", with their unanimous recognition of David's kingship. The outer framework consists of David's anointing at Hebron to enclose the lists of the warriors who attended the festivities. The inner framework comprises the lists of David's forces while at Ziklag to enclose the warriors who joined him at “the stronghold”.

David, king of Israel (11:1–3)

The report concerning David's crowning in Hebron can be found in the books of Samuel, but the Chronicler also add some notes.

Verse 1

  • "All Israel": a more 'inclusive view' as a nation than "the tribes of Israel" in.

    Verse 2

This is the only place in the Chronicles that Saul was stated as king.

Verse 3

The section is a rework of the report in, with the removal of obscure and unclear terms and insertion of unique details, such as the role of Joab in Jerusalem's capture.

Verse 6

  • "Chief": literally "head".
This verse contains a play on words: whoever attack "first" will be "chief", Joab went up "first" and became "chief", although he was not listed among David's mighty men.

David's mighty men (11:10–47)

Verses 10–41 conform with 2 Samuel 23:8–39, whereas verses 42–47 are unique to the Chronicles. Without clear historical context, it is unclear whether the list refers to the period before or after David's accession to the throne. This passage consists of three parts :
  1. The three men, each with one act of heroism. The Chronicler omits the name of the third hero and states acts of heroism differently
  2. Two other heroes, with their particular acts of heroism.
  3. The 'thirty' heroes.
The purpose of the list is to portray David as a 'divinely chosen leader' with strong support from various groups in northern and southern Israel.

Verse 10

Here and in the Chronicler underlines that David's kingdom encompasses all Israel as a fulfillment of YHWH's pledge to Israel, although this promise is not directly cited,