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1 Chronicles 11:11 meaning

This verse highlights the extraordinary bravery and loyal service of David’s mighty men.

“These constitute the list of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hacmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred [whom he killed] at one time.” (v.11)

This verse begins the description of David’s elite warriors, sometimes referred to as David’s “mighty men.” David reigned from approximately 1010 BC to 970 BC and was a warrior-king who gathered around him a loyal force of exceptionally skilled soldiers. One of them, Jashobeam, stood out as the “chief of the thirty,” a high-ranking position among this special group. The account of him lifting his spear against three hundred men, defeating them all at once, demonstrates the extraordinary courage and power that David’s soldiers often displayed. The Chronicler, writing after the Babylonian exile, highlights these victories to honor David’s reign and emphasize that God’s people once had faithful leaders who fought under God’s guidance.

By mentioning Jashobeam and the remarkable victory he accomplished, the text underscores a key biblical theme: God often works through specific individuals to bring about deliverance for His people, whether in war or in spiritual battles. Just as David’s men rallied to him, fulfilling their duties with bravery and faith, believers throughout Scripture trust in God’s power to achieve feats beyond normal human capacity. David was known as a mighty warrior who had a guard of valiant men to protect him, reflecting God’s continued provision and protection (ZEC_12_6). Jashobeam’s example vividly illustrates how God can work through one person who relies on divine strength, enabling that person to accomplish extraordinary deeds.

In a broader sense, Jashobeam’s exploit also points us toward a spiritual principle echoed in the New Testament: God chooses servants who show steadfast loyalty, often empowering them to serve His kingdom in remarkable ways. Just as David’s men served their king with unwavering commitment, so Christ’s followers are called to devote themselves wholeheartedly to God’s purposes (Matthew 6:33). The feats of bravery in the Old Testament can remind believers of the spiritual battles waged today, where victory is found in the Lord’s might rather than in human power.

1 Chronicles 11:11