Adina’s leadership among the Reubenites demonstrates the tribe’s faithful participation in David’s reign as they supported his kingdom with loyal and valiant warriors.
“Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,” (v.42) introduces us to one of David’s valiant warriors during his reign over Israel. King David, who ruled around 1010-970 BC, was supported by many loyal men from every tribe, and in this passage, Adina stands out as a significant leader from the tribe of Reuben. The Reubenites, descended from Jacob’s firstborn, inhabited territory east of the Jordan River and played a notable role in Israel’s military history. They appear elsewhere battling alongside the tribes of Gad and Manasseh (as in 1 Chronicles 5:18-20), underscoring the tribe’s longstanding warrior tradition.
The mention of Adina’s status as “a chief of the Reubenites” suggests he held a position of considerable authority and influence. His commitment to King David reflects the unity forged across all twelve tribes at a moment when David was consolidating his rule. Adina’s leadership of “thirty with him” implies the presence of a smaller but formidable faction of devoted followers, indicating that the tribe of Reuben, though geographically distant from Jerusalem, nonetheless contributed valiant fighters to David’s forces.
This verse illustrates the remarkable diversity of people who rallied behind David as he established his kingdom and how men of different ancestral lines each offered their distinctive strengths in service to Israel’s king.
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1 Chronicles 11:42 meaning
“Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,” (v.42) introduces us to one of David’s valiant warriors during his reign over Israel. King David, who ruled around 1010-970 BC, was supported by many loyal men from every tribe, and in this passage, Adina stands out as a significant leader from the tribe of Reuben. The Reubenites, descended from Jacob’s firstborn, inhabited territory east of the Jordan River and played a notable role in Israel’s military history. They appear elsewhere battling alongside the tribes of Gad and Manasseh (as in 1 Chronicles 5:18-20), underscoring the tribe’s longstanding warrior tradition.
The mention of Adina’s status as “a chief of the Reubenites” suggests he held a position of considerable authority and influence. His commitment to King David reflects the unity forged across all twelve tribes at a moment when David was consolidating his rule. Adina’s leadership of “thirty with him” implies the presence of a smaller but formidable faction of devoted followers, indicating that the tribe of Reuben, though geographically distant from Jerusalem, nonetheless contributed valiant fighters to David’s forces.
This verse illustrates the remarkable diversity of people who rallied behind David as he established his kingdom and how men of different ancestral lines each offered their distinctive strengths in service to Israel’s king.